HOW TO CLEAN A WOODEN CUTTING BOARD SO IT’S GERM-FREE

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How to clean a wooden cutting board so it's germ-free

How to clean a wooden cutting board so it’s germ-free

Knowing how to clean cutting board is important for keeping it germ-free and for overall food safety. During daily use, small cuts and holes develop in the plant, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. This can create cross contamination when you use the board for poultry, fish and vegetables. Follow the steps below to clean and maintain cutting boards and help stop the spread of germs in the kitchen.

 How often to clean a cutting board
 
You should wash your wooden cutting board after each use. Then, every month, clean well, wipe with vegetable oil for ease of long-term maintenance. If you use it frequently, you may want to spray it with oil every two weeks.

What you need:

To clean with dishwashing liquid

  • Dish soap
  •  Sponge or dish brush
  • Cloth or paper towels

Clean with bleach

  •  Sink or large tub
  •  chlorine bleach
  • Dish soap
  • Cloth or paper towels

To clean with lemon

  • Salt
  • lemon
  • Cloth or paper towels

How to clean a wooden cutting board with dishwasher liquid

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Do not put wooden boards in the dishwasher, because water can crack and soak them. These small cracks become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Instead, wash the board by hand after each use, following the steps below. 

  • Step 1: wash the board

 
After you have removed any leftover food from the board, rinse the board with warm water. Add dish soap and clean with a sponge or dish brush. If you see knife marks, scratches, or irregularities in the wood, clean these areas thoroughly to prevent bacteria.

  • Step 2: Clean both sides

Thoroughly clean and dry both sides of the tree, even if only one side is used for cutting. (Meat juices can spill and contaminate the other side.) If hands are on the board, wash it too.

  • Step 3: Rinse and dry

Wash both sides of the plant with warm water. Then, dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Allow the board to dry completely before storing.

 How to clean a wooden cutting board with bleach
 
If a cutting board is used to cut poultry or meat, cleaning and bleaching it will help kill bacteria on the board. First, clean the board with dish soap (following the steps above), then follow these steps again to clean it.

  • Step 1: Make the Bleach Solution

 
Add one tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water in a sink or bowl.

  • Step 2: Remove the board

Soak the board in bleach or apply the mixture over the entire board. The key is to leave the bleach solution on for 2 to 3 minutes so it has time to kill any bacteria on the board.

  • Step 3: Rinse and dry

Wash the board again with warm water and dish soap to remove any bleach residue. Wash the board thoroughly, then dry it with a cloth or cloth. Allow the board to dry completely before storing. 

How to clean a cutting board with lemon
 
Cleaning cutting boards with lemon and salt once a month is a good way to keep them clean. This method can help remove stains from wood. And if your cutting board smells like chopped garlic, this can help freshen it up.

  • Step 1: Scrub Board

  Sprinkle the plant with a large amount of salt, such as sea salt or kosher salt. Cut a lemon in half.
 Rub the part of the lemon on the salt and the plant, rub it in a small circle, following the direction of the grain. 

  • Step 2: Allow the solution to soak in

Let the salt and lemon juice sit on the wood for about five minutes.

  • Step 3: Rinse and dry

Dry the board thoroughly, make sure all the salt is removed, and dry it on a cloth or paper towel. Air dry the wood completely before storing.

How to keep your wooden cutting board clean for a long time

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 To help your wooden cutting board stay clean for a long time, follow these tips:

  • Do not rinse cutting boards in the dishwasher and avoid soaking them in water for more than a few minutes. 
  • To avoid cross-contamination, select different cutting boards for different tasks: one for preparing meat, another for vegetables, and another for fish.
  • Dry the board after washing to avoid cracking the wood. 
  • Look for a maple tree, a durable, closed tree
  •  If your board is too worn or has holes that are difficult to clean, throw it away.

Seasonal upkeep
 
To prevent cracking, clean and dry your cutting board, oil it once a month. Apply vegetable oil or food-grade mineral oil (not olive or avocado oil) to the board using a paper towel or clean cloth.
 
Add oil to the wood, making sure to cover every surface. Allow the oil to soak into the board for a few hours or overnight, then wipe off any excess oil.

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