Clean Your Cutting Board before the Holidays

How you clean your cutting board depends on what type of material it is. Plastic or glass cutting boards can be cleaned a variety of ways, but one of the quickest and easiest methods is to simply put them in the dishwasher. This will thoroughly clean and sanitize your cutting boards. You can make your own dishwasher detergent using Borax (a natural disinfectant) and washing soda with a distilled white vinegar rinse or simply use a store-bought all-natural detergent.

Step2

Wooden cutting boards are an entirely different matter. They should not be put in the dishwasher because of the potential for cracking and splitting. Also, they should not be submerged in a sink full of water for the same reason. So, how do clean a wooden cutting board? First, let’s look at a little preventative maintenance that should make cleaning and disinfecting your wooden cutting boards easier.

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First, make sure you use a cutting board for chopping fruits and vegetables and a different one for cutting meats. (This goes for wooden, glass or plastic cutting boards) This will prevent cross-contamination. Next, treat your new wooden cutting boards with a food grade mineral oil to prevent the absorption of food particles and liquids. Simply rub the oil on the cutting board and let it soak in. Repeat this process until no more oil can be absorbed. Do not use vegetable oil as it will turn rancid over time. This will need to be repeated about once a month.

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Now that you’ve prepared your cutting board and used it, how do you safely clean it? The best way to clean a wooden cutting board is to scrub the surface (only the surface; do not submerge it in water) with hot soapy water. You can use liquid castile soap or a store bought all-natural dish soap to prevent any extra chemicals from absorbing into your cutting board. Once you have scrubbed it thoroughly, let it dry completely.

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To naturally disinfect your cutting board there are a couple different methods you can use. Once your cutting board is dry, spray the surface with undiluted distilled white vinegar and let it sit for at least 10-30 minutes, then wipe clean. The acetic acid in vinegar is effective at killing bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.

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Some studies have shown that using both pure vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is more effective than either one alone. Keep the liquids in separate spray bottles and use one at a time. It doesn’t matter which one you use first. Let each liquid sit on the cutting board for at least ten minutes and then wipe clean. Now, you have a clean, disinfected cutting board without using any harmful chemicals.