How To Clean & Care for Wood Cutting Boards: 5 Easy Tips
Choosing a high-quality wood cutting board (and getting rid of the toxic plastic ones- more on this below) is one of the best decisions you can make for your kitchen.
But like all kitchen cookware and utensils, they need proper care, especially when it comes to cleaning them after handling raw meat like chicken.
In this article, we give you simple non toxic tips on how to clean and care for a wood cutting board properly, including bamboo, hardwoods, softwoods, and teak.
Here we go!
TL;DR
How To Clean & Care For Wood Cutting Boards
- Cleaning After Raw Meat
- Use Natural Cleaning Agents
- Tackling Old and Stained Boards
- Caring for Different Types of Wooden Boards
- Oil Your Wooden Cutting Board
Wooden Boards: the Real MVPs of the Kitchen
Wood is the best cutting board material for several reasons:
- Biodegradable
- Can be sourced responsibly
- Free from the chemicals found in cheap plastic
- Durable
- Gentle on knives
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Can be used as a serving platter
Plastic cutting boards are known to allow microplastics into food. 🤢
Yeah, I’ll pass.
The National Institute of Health actually recommends you stop using plastic cutting boards because it’s estimated that people who use plastic cutting boards can be exposed to about 14.5 to 71.9 million polyethylene microplastics annually.
Yikes!!
Wooden cutting boards for the win!
Now let’s get to the tips.
How To Clean & Care For Wood Cutting Boards
1. Cleaning After Raw Meat
The thought of bacteria from raw meat lingering on your board can be.. a little unsettling.
To be sure you get rid of any harmful germs:
- First, rinse the board with warm water to remove any meat residue.
- Apply a mixture of soap and water, scrub gently, and then rinse.
- To kill bacteria and remove germs, apply white vinegar on the board and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
- White vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant!
Be sure to also disinfect the surrounding area, sink, and any other places the meat may have come into contact with.
2. Use Natural Cleaning Agents
Conventional cleaners can be harsh on wood and leave a residue. Not to mention a lot of them are made with toxic ingredients.
So simply, opt for natural alternatives!
- Lemon: Lemons have natural antibacterial properties. 🍋
- To clean a wood cutting board with lemon, simply cut a lemon in half and rub it over the board. Now it’s clean and it smells nice!
- Baking soda: This is excellent for removing stubborn stains. Make a paste with water and baking soda and scrub gently. I mean…. what can you not do with baking soda?!
- Salt: Salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping to lift stains and residue. 🧂
- Sprinkle some on your board and scrub using a damp cloth.
3. It’s Not Too Late To Start: Tackling Old and Stained Boards
Maybe you have an old cutting board and a cutting board you’ve neglected that needs some help.
Well…the good news is that it’s not too late to restore it!
To remove stains and odors from a wooden cutting board:
- Use a paste of baking soda and water. Apply, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently.
- For really stubborn stains, try a mix of lemon and salt. The combination works wonders!
4. Caring for Different Types of Wooden Boards
Different types of wood cutting boards have unique characteristics, but the cleaning methods are pretty similar with slight variations.
Here’s a breakdown of how to clean various wooden cutting boards:
- Cleaning: Use mild soap and warm water. Gently scrub the board with a sponge or soft brush.
- Disinfecting: Apply white vinegar with a cloth, letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Maintenance: Regularly oil with food-grade mineral oil to prevent drying out.
- Cleaning: Because this is a softer wood, be gentle when scrubbing. Use mild soap and warm water.
- Disinfecting: White vinegar or a lemon-salt mixture can be effective.
- Maintenance: Oil more frequently as softwoods can dry out faster.
- Cleaning: Bamboo is denser and less porous. Use lukewarm water and a bit of soap. Avoid soaking as bamboo can warp.
- Disinfecting: Wipe down with white vinegar.
- Maintenance: Use a bamboo-specific conditioner or mineral oil to maintain its luster.
- Cleaning: Mild soap and water will suffice. Teak has natural oils, so it’s less prone to water damage.
- Disinfecting: A vinegar or lemon-salt mixture works well.
- Maintenance: Teak oil can be used occasionally to preserve its rich color.
For all types of wooden boards:
- Always dry them upright and ensure they are completely dry before storing them to prevent bacterial growth and mold.
- ❌Avoid putting them in the dishwasher, as this can damage the wood and reduce the board’s lifespan.
5. Oil Your Wooden Cutting Board
- Regularly oil your board with food-grade mineral oil or beeswax to preserve its quality and prevent it from drying out.
- This step is key to preserving a wood cutting board and extending its life.
- Always choose a non toxic oil that doesn’t have any toxins that could leak into your food
- Some good oils to use include:
- Mineral Oil
- Beeswax
- Refined Coconut Oil
- Carnauba Wax
- Walnut Oil (caution for nut allergies)
- Almond Oil (caution for nut allergies)
- Food-Grade Linseed Oil
- Food-Grade Tung Oil
- Sunflower Oil
Wrapping Up the Wood-erful Tips!
Your wooden cutting board is more than just a kitchen tool; it’s an investment.
With the right care, it can serve you for years to come.
Whether it’s figuring out how to clean one after raw meat or how to preserve its quality, these tips have got you covered.
Happy cooking!
