Cleaning a cutting board: how do you go about it?
When cooking, it is always important to work cleanly and hygienically. Well-maintained and cleaned kitchen utensils, such as kitchen knives, pans and cutting boards, are certainly part of this. This means that you clean the utensils after each use, but an extra thorough cleaning is also needed for cutting boards every now and then. Sola explains how to tackle this chore.
Why is it good to clean your cutting board regularly?
Cutting boards are used frequently in the kitchen. During this use, the knives will make small grooves in the surface of the cutting board. Bacteria can then develop in these grooves that you cannot kill properly with a standard hand wash or dishwasher program. This gives the bacteria a chance to grow and they can eventually end up in your meal. To prevent this, you should give your cutting boards an extra thorough cleaning every so often.
How often you need to clean your cutting board
Thoroughly cleaning your cutting board is not necessary after each use. A normal hand wash or dishwasher program is then sufficient. An extra thorough cleaning is recommended every two to four months. This way you keep your cutting boards well cleaned and you can continue to use them with peace of mind.
How to clean a plastic cutting board
How you can best give a cutting board a thorough cleaning depends on the material of the cutting board. Cleaning a plastic cutting board therefore requires a different approach than cleaning a wooden cutting board. With the following step-by-step plan you can easily clean a plastic cutting board.
1. Rinse the cutting board well
Cleaning a plastic cutting board starts with thoroughly rinsing the cutting board. This can be done under the running tap.
2. Wipe the cutting board with vinegar
Now we are going to clean the cutting board with vinegar. Vinegar is a good disinfectant and also removes unpleasant odors from the cutting board.
3. Let the cutting board soak in diluted bleach
To disinfect the cutting board even further, now let the cutting board soak for a while in diluted bleach. Any stains will also disappear from the cutting board as a result and bacteria will be killed by the bleach.
4. Dry the cutting board and sprinkle salt over the board
After soaking, dry the cutting board well and sprinkle a layer of salt over the plastic cutting board.
5. Scrub the cutting board with half a lemon
Then scrub the cutting board with half a lemon. The citric acid kills any remaining bacteria and also smells nice and fresh. With the salt on the board, you can scrub away any stains.
6. (Optional) Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda and vinegar
Instead of cleaning the plastic cutting board with lemon and salt, you can also choose baking soda and vinegar. This combination will bubble, removing stains, killing bacteria and making odors disappear. Let the mixture sit for about five minutes.
7. Rinse and dry the cutting board
Now you only need to dry the cutting board well and the board is completely ready for use again. Repeat the thorough cleaning every few months.
How you can clean a wooden cutting board
Cleaning a wooden cutting board requires a slightly different approach than cleaning a plastic cutting board. With the following step-by-step plan, your wooden cutting board will be perfectly clean again.
1. Coat the cutting board with white vinegar or lemon juice
You clean a wooden cutting board with white vinegar or lemon juice. Choose which one you want to work with and coat the entire cutting board with the white vinegar or the lemon juice.
2. Sprinkle salt over the wooden cutting board
Next, sprinkle a layer of salt over the wooden cutting board.
3. Use kitchen paper to rub the vinegar or lemon juice into the board
Now take some kitchen paper and rub the mixture of vinegar or lemon juice with the salt over the board. The salt will rub over the board, allowing it to be well cleaned and stains will disappear.
4. Wait a quarter of an hour
Now let the vinegar or lemon juice and the salt sit on the wooden cutting board for another quarter of an hour. This allows it to penetrate well into the grooves of the board and kill the bacteria.
5. Rinse and dry the wooden board
Now you only need to rinse the board well and dry it and you are done with cleaning the wooden cutting board. Repeat the cleaning process regularly to always be able to use a spotless cutting board.
Maintaining a cutting board ensures a longer lifespan
To enjoy your kitchen accessories for as long as possible, it is important that you maintain them well. This means, for example, that you sharpen your knife sets and chef's knives regularly, but also that you subject your cutting boards to maintenance every now and then. This is especially important for wooden cutting boards. By coating the wooden cutting board with oil after the thorough cleaning, you lay a thin protective layer over the board. The oil also ensures that the wood of the board does not dry out. This way your cutting board stays in good condition.
