Are you Cleaning your Cutting Boards Wrong?
Maintaining a wooden cutting board is the most important thing in ensure it last forever. There are many benefits to regularly deep clean your cutting board and to season the cutting board. Below you will find some helpful cleaning tips about ensuring, your cutting board is cleaned properly, and will last longer. If one follows these steps, you will add years to the life of your cutting board. It is highly recommended you do this to ensure not only safety but the best quality product for your wooden/bamboo boards.
How to clean a wooden cutting board (Usually Not Dish Washer Safe)
1. Wash the cutting board top, sides, and bottom with dish soap in warm water. This allows even distribution of water to the cutting board, so it doesn’t bow.
2. Dry all areas of the cutting board and allow to air dry upright
3. Put cutting board away
Cutting Board maintenance/Deeper clean
This gets rid of odors and better disinfects the cutting board as it allows for a deeper cleaning, able to get more into the grains of the wood.
1. Wipe or rinse off your cutting board with water.
2. Shake out a dollop of salt on to the stains or in the middle of the board. Then put a little more just for good measure. The salt acts as a scrub to remove stains that normal cleaning won’t get out.
3. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice on to the salt. The lemon juice disinfects and gets rid of any lingering odors
4. Scrub the salt and lemon juice together on the cutting board to clean the board.
Seasoning/Conditioning Cutting Board (prolong the life of your board)
Seasoning a cutting board allows for the protective barrier to repair. Filling small cuts and scratches, allowing natural moisture to be absorbed into the wood. Increase natural antibacterial qualities of wood. Recommended to season cutting board when ever the wood looks dry or once every few months.
The before and after effects of mineral oil is shown in these pictures above.
1. Clean your board, clean the cutting board thoroughly before
2. Apply mineral oil or any FDA approved oil. And with a clean rag or paper towel, create a simple layer on the surface of your board
3. Allow the oil, leave the oil to dry for 5-8 hours for best results so it can reach inside the cracks and dries.
4. After 5-8 hours check if the board is dry, if it feels a little stick grab a new cloth and wipe down the surface to remove any excess oil. (You can re-coat with another layer if wanted)
5. Your board is ready to use.
Video on steps covered. Note: They use mineral oil and bees wax condition, one can use both products or one depending on how protective/sealed you want the board to be.
What to Buy.
The most important thing to look for when buying mineral oil is to make sure its FDA approved/Food safe.
The products I use are listed below and can be found at Home Depot or Amazon
Howard butcher block and cutting board oil 12 oz. 8.99-10$
This Product is beyond FDA food safety rating standards, and it will reliably season and seal your board
I also use “Howard Butcher Block Conditioner” 12 oz. 10-12$.
This product is also beyond the FDA food safety rating standards, but it mixes bees wax with the oil, better protecting your boards and leaving a more polished new look. Recommend this one more than other oil.
