Welcome back to the Crafted by Kaydee blog! Today we are going to talk about how cutting boards can be a messy item to clean up. Every cutting board you own that is made of a different material needs to be cleaned differently. You want to be sure that you are cleaning each and every one meticulously as these items can carry a lot of different bacteria from different foods and utensils. Plastic and wood cutting boards are the two most common boards used in the kitchen, and you are probably wondering how to clean a wood cutting board. Don’t fret, I am here to give you tips on how to clean and oil your wood cutting board properly.
1. Clean it by hand
Warm water, a little dish soap, and scrubbing hard will help to get rid of any gunk left in the crevices of the cutting board. Handwashing your board is much better than placing it in the dishwasher. The hot water in the dishwasher can split and warp the wood, which then causes you to lose any warranty on the product. You want to disinfect and clean your cutting boards by hand immediately after using it to avoid any bacteria sitting on the board. You can use a scrubbing sponge on the board to rid of stains and bacteria or scrub it with lemon and salt.
2. Don’t let it soak in water
When preparing your food you don’t want to let your wooden cutting board soak in the sink. Having the cutting board sit in water will again potentially ruin your board as well as build bacteria in the crevices. Instead of placing it in the sink and leaving it there to soak up more bacteria keep it on the counter and wash it when you are done using the board.
3. Air dry
As you go through washing your board it will soak up a good amount of water causing the board to naturally expand. As the board dries after being cleaned it will then contract. However, you want to be certain your board dries evenly, or it will begin to warp over time. Be sure to towel dry your cutting board and then place it somewhere that allows all sides to dry evenly. You want to avoid any warping of the board so that it lasts much longer.
4. Vinegar removes odors
As your wood cutting board ages and is constantly used there can be some odors that remain within the crevices. A good way to get rid of unwanted smells in your cutting board is by using distilled white vinegar. Not only will this get rid of the odor, but it will also help with bacteria. Be sure when filling up a spray bottle you test the vinegar in a small section of the cutting board. You want to be sure that the vinegar will not discolor the type of board you have.
5. Oil and condition the board
When using an oil to condition your cutting board you want to be sure no matter what oil you are using that is it food grade and will not cause any contamination and odors. Regularly oiling and conditioning your wooden cutting board will help to keep it in great condition! You want to condition your board nearly every month to be sure it stays in good shape. Once you have found a highly refined mineral oil good for your cutting board you want to generously apply the oil and let it soak in. Before conditioning your cutting boards you absolutely need to be sure they are completely clean of any food residue.
While you may be wondering what is cleaner, plastic or wood cutting boards? As you begin to learn how to clean a wood cutting board you will find that wood is actually safer from contamination and bacteria than plastic. If you are looking for custom made wooden cutting boards contact me and I can help create a design with you! Browse through my website, Crafted by Kaydee, to see all the different designs I have for cutting boards and charcuterie boards.