How To Clean A Cutting Board (Wood, Plastic, Composite, Bamboo)

You want to be sure to properly disinfect your cutting board so that — depending on its material — it doesn’t retain residual cleaning solutions, which could be hazardous to your health. Afterall, having your breakfast taste like last night’s dinner is preferable to having your breakfast taste like yesterday’s cleaning product. So definitely avoid using polish or chemicals to make your cutting boards look more pretty, because they may not be food safe.

Read on to learn about how to clean and disinfect all types of cutting boards, including wood, plastic, composite, bamboo and glass.

How to clean + disinfect a wooden cutting board

Whatever you do, do not put your wood cutting board in the dishwasher. This bears repeating. Please, please do not put your wood cutting board in the dishwasher! Wood cutting boards are awesome for so many reasons, but they are notorious for being porous (because, wood) and therefore able to absorb bacteria. But as the bacteria becomes absorbed by the cutting board, it ultimately dies peacefully and alone inside of the wood’s layers. But if you stick your wood cutting board into the dishwasher, not only will it become sad and warped from the heat and steam, but it will begin to develop cracks which can retain more bacteria that remain near the surface and can make you sick. Your wood cutting board will not just become ugly and aged looking from the dishwasher, but can also turn into a gross potential breeding ground for germs.

So, how to clean the wood cutting board then? By hand, of course.

To clean your wood cutting board:

• Wash the cutting board with warm water and Dawn Dish Soap using a soft sponge. Be sure to wash it after every use.
• Wash both sides of the cutting board, even if you only used the one. (Germs and bacteria can easily travel, after all.)
• Wipe the cutting board dry with a dish towel. Then allow the cutting board to air dry completely before using.

To disinfect your wood cutting board, you’ve got a few options:

• Spray your cutting board with a heavily diluted bleach solution (about 1 tablespoon to 3 cups water). Rinse with cold water. Let air dry completely before using.
• Use a paper towel or wet cloth to apply some hydrogen peroxide to your cutting board. Rinse with cold water. Let air dry completely before using. (Don’t pour peroxide directly onto the board itself!)

Does your wood cutting board smell funky?

Every time you cut up some fruit on it, does your melon end up tasting like last week’s scampi? It’s not your fault; aromatics are potent lil’ buggers. We’ve got some suggestions to reset its odor to that authentic “new cutting board” scent. No air fresheners involved.

• Pour some salt onto your wood cutting board and rub half a lemon (fruit face down) into the cutting board, as if you’re exfoliating it. This ought to freshen up its scent, banishing persistent garlic and onion odors.
• Spray a neutralizing white vinegar and water solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) onto the (completely dry!) cutting board and rinse with cold water.
• Sprinkle a cup of baking powder over your cutting board and then pour a cup of white vinegar on top of it. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. This should zap the smell and also help to eliminate any stubborn stains (ahem, beets).

To maintain your wood cutting board’s quality:

Once a month, use a soft cloth to buff a thin layer of food grade mineral oil into your wood cutting board. Let it soak into the board overnight before using. (Note: Avoid using olive or avocado oil for this task.) Oiling your board can help to prevent dryness, cracking or warping.