How to Clean a Wooden Chopping Board

Clean a wooden chopping board with vinegar.

Wooden chopping blocks are attractive, effective and last nearly a lifetime when you handle them properly. When cutting and chopping foods, raw items that contain bacteria often come in contact with the wooden surface, at which point bacteria can begin to grow on the chopping board surface. To properly clean the chopping board, you want to both clean and disinfect the board.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning rags
• Water
• Dish soap
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Saturate a cleaning rag with soapy water by mixing 1 qt. hot water and 1 tsp. dish soap in your kitchen sink. Soak the rag in the soapy water, and wring out the rag slightly.

2. Wipe the soapy rag over your wooden chopping board.

3. Rinse the rag, and wipe over the chopping board once more to remove the soapy residue.

4. Soak a new cleaning rag in white vinegar. Wring the rag out slightly and wipe over your wooden chopping board, pressing firmly to transfer the vinegar to the wood.

5. Let the wooden chopping board air dry. The vinegar will disinfect your cutting surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not submerge the wooden chopping board in water, as this will over time cause damage to the wood.

References

• What's Cooking America: Cutting Boards