5 Ways to Clean Your Cutting Board
Tomasz Grabowiecki
Feel like your cutting board just isn't clean enough? Not to worry — you can get the board extra clean with some products likely found in your home.
1: Rinse immediately after use. Studies show that a prewash rinse eliminates enough bacteria so that levels are safe, while submerging the board in dishwater immediately after use transfers pathogens to the wash water. Since wood is a porous surface that absorbs water, submerging a dirtied board could also cause it to split and warp.
2: Disinfect using 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Pour it over the board and spread it around using a clean sponge. Let it stand for a few minutes as it fizzes to kill germs. Wipe off with the clean sponge and repeat as needed.
3: Remove stains with coarse salt or baking soda. Dry the board completely and sprinkle it with coarse salt or baking soda. Scrub out the stain using a sponge or a brush dipped into hot water and repeat as needed.
4: Deodorize with white vinegar. Keep a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and use it to regularly spray down a cutting board. The vinegar will neutralize odors while working as an all-natural disinfectant.
5: Sanitize using diluted bleach. An occasional extra-deep cleaning is a good idea, particularly after working with raw meat, fish or poultry. Add 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart water and flood the board with this solution. Let stand for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water.
