How to Care for a Cutting Board?

How to Care for Cutting Board

Admittedly, kitchen boards are irreplaceable tools in our kitchens. and due to the excessive exposure to heat and water and chemicals, most cutting boards lose many of their properties and get damaged.

That’s why you should learn how to maintain your cutting board so that it can last longer with you. 

That is why we are showing you easy steps to know how to take good care of your cutting surface according to its type.

How to Care for Wood Cutting Board

How to Care for Wood Cutting Board

There are a bunch of cutting board types over there. But if you are asking about the best among them, I’ll say it is the wooden cutting boards.

Wooden cutting boards are neat and stunning that even some restaurants use them as plates. but in fact, a wooden chopping board contain honeycombed surfaces that can be shelter for bacteria

So, it is always important to know how to clean a wooden cutting board and maintain its cutting surface to avoid any possible cross-contamination.

But don’t worry, we will tell you how to easily take care of your wooden utensil, whether it is a butcher block, a wooden chopping board, or even a wooden spoon.

Read more , Butcher Blocks vs Cutting Boards: What’s the Difference?

Method 1: Cleaning your wood cutting board with vinegar

Cleaning your wood cutting board with vinegar

Cleaning with vinegar has its pros and its cons. the pros are that it is cheap and available everywhere, while the con is that some people don’t like its strong smell.

 The Required Tools

  • Vinegar
  • Paper Towel

Steps

  1. Cover your board with a sufficient amount of vinegar
  2. After leaving your wooden board for a few minutes, grab your wet cloth and start wiping your board.
  3. Let the board dry.

 
Method 3: Season your cutting board with oil

Seasoning your cutting board with oil

This is the best method for maintaining your wooden board. as the oil board will penetrate the grains of the wood in a profound way that adds durability, hygiene, looking, and performance to it.

However, this method can be the most expensive of them all. but trust me it is worth it! There are various types of cutting board oils, as commercial cutting board oils, food grade mineral oil, walnut oil, and many more natural oils good for cutting boards.

Never use vegetable oil on your cutting surface as it goes rancid.

Also read , End Grain vs. Edge Grain Cutting Boards: What is the Difference?

How to Care for Rubber Cutting Boards?

How to care for Rubber Cutting Boards

We all know that Rubber kitchen boards are much softer for the blades of the knives. Using such a cutting surface will prolong the lifespan of your knives and keep them razor sharp for a long time.

As for the cleaning part, you will be pleased to know that such boards are non-porous. and warping-resistant. So they will not be a shelter for bacteria like other boards.

 The Required Tools:

  • Dish soap
  • Warm water

Steps

  1. Simply brush your chopping board with dish soap, scrub it and finally, wash it with warm water.

Never clean your rubber board in a dishwasher to prevent any damage to its materials. The high temperature of the dishwasher may cause the materials to be damaged

How to Care for Plastic Cutting Boards?

How to Care for Plastic Cutting Boards

Dishwasher-safe is what really distinguishes this type of board from any other one.

Plastic cutting boards are cheaper and much affordable than other materials. However, excessive exposure to high temperatures of the dishwasher can damage and splint them.

That is why it’s always advisable to clean them by hand from one time to another.

Check also , What Is The Best Natural Oil For Wood Cutting Boards?

Method 1: Cleaning your plastic cutting board with baking soda

You can use this method from time to time, but you cannot depend entirely on it. It is worth mentioning that this mixture will remove stains from your plastic board.

The Required Tools

  •  Baking soda
  • Salt

Steps

  1. Add 1 tsp. of baking soda, combine it with 1 tsp. of salt, and 1 teaspoon of water.
  2. Cover your board with the mixture it and let it for a couple of minutes. Finally, wash it with water.

Read more , Best Cutting Boards

Method 2: use a steel scouring pad

This method is made if you have any loose plastic parts over your plastic kitchen board.

The Required Tools

  • Steel Scrubber
  • Belt sander

Steps

  1. Brush your board carefully with the steel scrubber to remove any loose parts.
  2. After eliminating the extra loose particles, start smoothing the surface of your board.

If you have zero experience in using a belt sander, I recommend you watch this tutorial for further instructions

Also check , Best Material For a Cutting Board

Summary

Although plastic boards are dishwasher-safe and most of the time they are lighter in weight, you may need to replace them. as knives can leave a lot of scars on them that cannot be cleaned or maintained.

Final Thoughts

Cutting board is a must-buy tool for your kitchen, restaurant, or even as a gift for your beloved ones.  That is why maintaining them is an essential process so that you can keep their own glory.

Applying these steps to your board will make it The Best Cutting Board ever.

It always depends on the cutting board. There are a lot of types out there. Some of them are manufactured from wood, Bamboo, and others from plastic.

Every cutting board is cleaned differently as each type has its properties. That is why it is an essential step to know about the type you have to maintain it in the best way.

This article can work as a guide for you. With just a group of simple steps, you can easily clean your cutting board, whatever its type.

 If you know any of these methods, feel free to leave us a comment on what you think is the best one of them.

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Daniel Rogers

My name is Daniel Rogers, a 35-year-old enthusiast of the kitchen. From the moment that I entered the kitchen, I have been passionate about cooking and baking. This passion made me eager enough to know more about the kitchen tools that I use. The older I become, the more I become knowledgeable about kitchen tools. When and how to use a special tool in the kitchen becomes my hobby. I read a lot about many brands, tried some of them by myself, and gathered sufficient information about the others.

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