It doesn’t have to be a pain to clean your kitchen. Could it possibly be enjoyable? The BA Cleanup Week is here! Consider this your go-to resource for the corners and crevices that you are undoubtedly not cleaning frequently enough, as well as the equipment and supplies that have been recommended by experts.
Your cutting board needs careful loving care, even if you might not think that a piece of wood needs maintenance. Also, the way you maintain your wooden cutting board will influence whether you need to replace it every few years or if it will last you a lifetime. Your cutting board care routine should involve sporadic additional maintenance—every other week or so—to maintain the wood supple and well-conditioned in addition to cleaning or washing your board after each usage.
How to clean a wooden cutting board
If you’re just pulling out your cutting board to slice a loaf of bread or halve a lemon, there’s really no need to clean; dust off the crumbs and be on your way. But if you have avocado smears or garlic juices marring your board, you’ll want to give it a wash with soapy water. Right off the bat: never put your wood cutting board in the dishwasher. Once the wood gets exposed to the heat and water, it’s more likely to crack or warp, and then it’ll be lost forever.
After clearing the board of any food residue, hand-wash it in warm water (dish soap is fine too). Ensure that you include the board’s sides, edges, and bottom. Most people only wash the top, which actually damages the wood. Moisture causes the wood fibers to swell, and if the swelling isn’t even, it might warp the board. A cutting board that rocks typically only had one side washed.
Rub some lemon juice and coarse salt into the surface of your board to create a paste that will remove tough stains and odors. Let the paste sit for a few minutes before using.
The gritty exfoliant MacKenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub, which deodorizes hands and chopping boards, is another product we advise.
After rinsing your board clean, wipe it down and let it air-dry thoroughly overnight, standing it on edge so that both large faces are exposed.