May 2021 Blog Cutting Board Care Update

Update On How To Take Care Of Your Cutting Board

1) Clean

To clean the board, use hot water, a sponge, and a small amount of soap to scrub off any food or fluids that have come into contact with the board. Scientific evidence shows that in cleaning, the volume of water matters more than anything, as it washes away bacteria and particles. So make sure you run it under plenty of water, especially on scarred sections that tend to trap food particles.

2) Disinfect

To disinfect, use either pure white vinegar or a mixture of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water. Note that any vinegar other than pure white vinegar may impart unwanted odors to your board. These solutions disinfect the board because vinegar has a low pH and bleach has a high pH; both kill bacteria and germs, as they can only live within certain pH ranges. To apply, soak a cloth in the solution, then wipe the board down thoroughly with the wet cloth.

If your board has any sour or mold-like smell, you can also put a cup of baking powder on the board and pour a cup of white vinegar over it. The combination of these two ingredients will trigger an oxidation process that removes stains and (hopefully) any lingering smells from your cutting board. For a more natural route, you can also cut a lemon in half and rub the board with the lemon's sides. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.

3) Dry

After you have disinfected your board, wipe it with a dry cloth. This last step is the most important for maintaining your cutting board, as water permeating the wood causes the wood fibers to swell and warp your board. This is why you should never soak your cutting board in water or put it in the dishwasher.

While not part of cleaning, it’s always good practice to rub mineral oil onto your cutting board after it's dry. Do not use other organic oils, as the fats in those oils can spoil, turn rancid, and make your cutting board stink.

One of the few natural oils you can use is coconut oil, which will not go rancid for some time (though it is not immune to eventually spoiling). Oils work by occupying the spaces within wood fibers and preventing water from entering your board, which can cause cracks and splits. These little crevices are where bacteria love to hide and multiply, so preventing small fractures in your cutting board is key to keeping it sanitary.

4) Recommended Products

Holland Cutting Board Co. sells food-safe cutting board oils and B’s Wax that are FDA approved. It's recommended to wax and oil your board every 3 to 4 weeks.