Do you have cutting boards in a variety of materials? While some of them have similar methods of care, here's the complete guide so you know how to properly condition, disinfect, deodorize, and remove stains from all of your cutting boards.
Wooden Cutting Boards
- Condition: Rub a little mineral oil over a clean wooden cutting board to keep it from looking dried-out.
- Disinfect: Do not let wood soak in water, and do not wash in a dishwasher. Immediately after using, hand wash it with a mild soap and water then dry it with a clean dish towel. If you've cut meat on the board, wipe the surface down with white vinegar, then let the surface dry.
- Deodorize: Squeeze half a lemon on the surface of the board and let sit for several minutes before rinsing with water.
- Remove Stains: Wet the stained area, apply kosher salt, and let it sit on the stain for several minutes. Scrub it away with a steel scraper.
Cork Cutting Boards
- Condition: Rub a little natural mineral oil over the board if it begins to look dry.
- Disinfect: Treat them like a wooden cutting board. Do not let cork soak in water, and do not wash in a dishwasher. Instead, hand wash with warm soap and water.
- Deodorize: Cork is naturally odor-resistant.
- Remove Stains: Cork is also naturally stain-resistant.
Plastic Cutting Boards
- Condition: Once a board begins to look warped and has a bunch of worn-out grooves from the knife cuts, it may be time to toss it!
- Disinfect: Hand wash the plastic cutting board with soap and hot water or run it through the dishwasher. You can also disinfect it by soaking it for 2 minutes in a solution of two teaspoons of bleach and one gallon of water.
- Deodorize: Wet the board and sprinkle it with baking soda. Let it stand for a few minutes then rinse it in water.
- Remove Stains: Wet the stained area, apply kosher salt, and let it sit on the stain for several minutes. Remove salt with a steel bench scraper.
Bamboo Cutting Boards
- Condition: Rub mineral oil over a clean bamboo cutting board to keep it from looking dried-out.
- Disinfect: Hand wash the plastic cutting board with soap and hot water. If you've cut meat on the board, wipe the surface down with white vinegar, then let the surface dry.
- Deodorize: Moisten the board and sprinkle it with baking soda. Let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse it in water.
- Remove Stains: Wet the stained area; apply kosher salt; and let it sit on the stain for several minutes, then scrub it away with a steel scraper.