No home kitchen would be complete without a wooden cutting board or to a certain extent, just a plastic one. As simple as it looks, a wooden cutting board is what you use to cut, chop and slice the likes of raw meat, fishes, fruits and vegetables. And of course, after using the board, it’s important to keep it clean and well-maintained. Here are the 7 Tips You Can Try To Clean A Wooden Cutting Board.
1) Clean & Sanitise It With Vinegar
Got a bottle of white vinegar stored somewhere in your kitchen? You can put it into good use by cleaning your wooden cutting board with it. Simply combine 4:1 mixture of water and vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it all over your board. Or you can wipe down the board with a sponge. Allow the mixture to soak for a few minutes before rinsing off your board with running tap water. Cleaning your wooden cutting board with vinegar not only helps to disinfect thanks to the acetic acid, but it also removes odours or stench.
2) Remove Stains With Lemon & Salt Rub
Having a hard time getting rid of those stubborn stains on your wooden cutting board? Try this method: First, you need to sprinkle some sea salt generously all over the board. Then, get a lemon fruit and cut it in half. Use that half to rub the scattered salt into the grains of the board. And as you move the lemon around, remember to squeeze the juice out. Think of the lemon-and-salt rub as your DIY scouring pad and you’ll get the idea. Once complete, allow the lemon and salt mixture to sit for around 5 minutes. Finally, you can start cleaning your board with a damp tablecloth or rag.
3) Give Your Wooden Cutting Board A Baking Soda Scrub
Be it tough stains or strong odours that you somehow can’t get rid of, using baking soda might help. All you have to do is mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda as well as 1 tablespoon of salt and water each. Combine the mixture altogether to form a paste and gently scrub the surface of the board. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing the mixture off with running tap water.
4) Remove Bacteria With Bleach
If you frequently use your wooden cutting board to cut raw meat or poultry, try using the bleach solution method to get rid of the harmful bacteria. You will need to mix 1 teaspoon of bleach and 2 litres of water. Dip a brush into it and scrub the board before wiping the mixture off with a damp tablecloth. Alternatively, you can try soaking your board for a few minutes by combining 1 tablespoon of bleach and approximately 4 litres of water before rinsing it off.
5) Kill Germs & Bacteria With Hydrogen Peroxide
No bleach? Here’s an alternative that you might want to try. Grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (3%) and pour a small amount onto your wooden cutting board. Wipe it with a dry cloth or paper towel before rinsing the board with running tap water. You can also fill in some hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and give it a few spritzes all over the board. And then, do the same by wiping the board with a cloth and finally, rinsing it off.
6) Never Soak The Board For Too Long
A wooden cutting board can last for many years if you know how to take of it. While it’s okay to soak the board during the cleaning process (a few minutes will do), doing it for too long can do more harm than good. In other words, it can gradually ruin the board over time.
7) Always Remember To Air-Dry The Board
Whatever cleaning method that you have tried, always keep in mind to air-dry your board. And that means wiping the board with a clean cloth or rag before propping it upright against the wall. Doing so not only allows the board to air-dry properly but also giving the wood material a sufficient “space” — according to Cooking Light — “to naturally expand and contract evenly as well”. However, you are making a huge mistake if you lay your damp board flat on the kitchen counter. The reason? You basically “suffocate” the bottom of the board, which in turn, can cause warping and even ruining the glue that piece the wood altogether.
