How to Clean Cutting Boards

Cleaning cutting boards regularly is an essential part of keeping your family healthy and your food safe to eat. Wash, sanitize and deodorize your cutting boards to ensure that future meals are nutritious and healthy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Scrape excess food off of the cutting board.

2. Scrub the cutting board down with soap and hot water.

3. Allow the cutting board to dry.

4. Sanitize the cutting board by combining 1 parts vinegar and 5 parts water to make a sterilizing solution. Pour the mixture onto the cutting board to wet the entire surface. Let the board absorb the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes and then rinse the board with clean water. Wipe the board down with a paper towel moistened with hydrogen peroxide for extra germ protection.

5. Combat pesky stains by wetting the cutting board and sprinkling kosher salt on it. Allow it to remain undisturbed for an entire day. Wash the cutting board with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, add more salt to the cutting board and use a scrubbing sponge to work on remaining stains. Use soap and water for a final washing.

6. Deodorize your cutting board by using baking soda to scrub it and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Get rid of strong odors like garlic or onion by rubbing a cut lemon half over the cutting board's surface. Make a scented spray by mixing 10 drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle, shaking and spraying the cutting board to give it a fresh scent.

7. Give your cutting board a final washing and rinsing. Allow plastic cutting boards to air dry and pat dry wooden cutting boards with paper towels.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to clean both sides of the cutting board.
• It's best to keep a cutting board for each type of food that you cut.
• You can wash your cutting board in the dishwasher if it's plastic. However, avoid doing this if it is made out of wood.