How to Clean a Stained Wooden Cutting Board

Make sure your wooden cutting board is cleaned after every use.

Wooden cutting boards are a staple in many kitchens and often get heavy use. Over time, they can accumulate food stains that makes them look almost unusable -- and possibly not safe if there is any leftover from cutting meats on the board. It's imperative to keep the wooden cutting board clean and sanitized for your protection.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon
• Kosher salt
• Clean cloth
• Dish soap
• Chlorine bleach

Instructions

1. Scour the surface of your wooden cutting board with the inside of a lemon along with a pile of kosher salt. Make sure to focus on the parts of the cutting board that are badly stained. The kosher salt will act as an abrasive while the lemon acid will kill off bacteria.

2. Wipe off the lemon and kosher salt with a cloth.

3. Wash the cutting board in hot water with dish soap. Rinse well.

4. Mix 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach with 1 quart of water. Wipe or spray the mixture on the board and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

5. Rinse well under running water and let it air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also clean the cutting board with full-strength vinegar, which will remove stains and sanitize.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: Kitchen Clean-Up
• Eartheasy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning
• The Vinegar Institute: Uses and Tips