It seems that no kitchen can’t be without a wooden cutting board. Durable and practical, it also brings natural warmth and beauty to any kitchen. The downside is that most people don’t perform much-needed care on the poor things. The following guide shows how to properly clean and maintain the wooden cutting board so that it will remain in great condition, serving many years of cooking.

Why Proper Care is Important

Wooden cutting boards are somewhat of an investment for your kitchen. Rather than just a bit of material on which you do your chopping. A well-cared-for cutting board provides a solid and dependable work surface. The board will protects your knives and adds aesthetic value to your kitchen. If not properly taken care of, these wood boards may even infest bacteria. With good cleaning and maintenance, your cutting board will continue to look new and in good condition for a long time.

How to Clean a Cutting Board made from wood

The only way to keep your cutting board in good working order is by cleaning it properly. Unlike plastic or composite boards. Wooden cutting boards do not have this option of being put in the dishwasher. This is because of the excess heat and moisture. Well, here’s how you can clean up after each use:

Clean off Debris:

After every use, scrape off food scraps or bits of residue with a bench scraper or using the edge of a knife. That will keep food from sticking to it.

Cleaning the Board with Warm Water and Mild Soap:

Use a soft cloth wet with only warm water containing a small amount of mild dish soap. Begin carefully cleaning the board’s surface, as the wood grain will absorb too much water; it increases the chances of warping. To keep the wood balanced, wash the board from both sides.

Rinse and dry:

Wash the board under clean water, ensuring that every trace of soap has been washed off. Then, dry the board immediately using a fresh towel. Never let the board air-dry because the lingering moisture may eventually make it warp or crack with time.

For an extra punch of disinfecting, you could try white vinegar for your wood cutting board from time to time. Just take a cloth soaked in vinegar and wipe down the surface, then take on all the normal rinse and drying as you usually would. Vinegar acts as a natural antibacterial agent that eliminates germs without compromising the safety of the wood.

To deodorize your cutting board-especially when it has started to absorb those stubborn smells of various foods like garlic, onions, or even meat-a simple remedy of lemon and salt can do magic. Sprinkle coarse salt on the surface of the board, then rub half a lemon, cut side down, onto the salt. This mixture of lemon juice and salt will help to lift off the lingering smell.

How to Properly Dry a Wooden Cutting Board

In fact, proper drying, in the case of a wood cutting board, is as critical as cleaning. Once you have washed your board, it is vital that you fully dry out the same so that the water does not seep into the wood.

Dry off immediately with a towel:

After the rinse, take a clean dry towel and further wipe down the board, paying close attention to grooves and fissures where water may be sitting.

Dry the board standing up: Lean it against a wall or set it up on top of a dish rack. This lets air go around the whole board, allowing it to dry faster and preventing water spots from appearing.

Do not attempt to hasten the drying process by putting your cutting board near a source of heat. Too much heat will warp or crack the wood. Air dry in a cool, dry space.

How to Oil a Wooden Cutting Board

Oiling your cutting board is a process for hydrating the wood so that it would not dry out and crack. Regular oiling builds up a protective barrier that prevents the absorption of moisture, as well as keeps food particles from getting buried in the grain.

Here is how one oils a wood cutting board:

The Right Oil: The best oils to use on a cutting board are food-safe, nontoxic oils. Mineral oil is the most popular one due to its inexpensiveness, ease of application, and because it does not go rancid. Alternatively, you can use special cutting board oils or beeswax-based conditioners for more protection.

Begin liberally applying the oil: Using the pour spout, pour some onto the surface of the cutting board. With a clean cloth or paper towel, rub in the oil into the board so it is totally covered-edges and sides.

Soaking:

The nature of the wood should be allowed to absorb as much oil as possible, whether for some hours or even overnight. This way, wood will be reconstituted with natural moisture.

Finally, after absorption of the oil, it is time to wipe off the extra oil with a clean and dry cloth. The cutting board at this point should show a soft satiny finish and be silky to touch.

For new cutting boards, it is a good idea to refinish with oil once a week for the first month. After that, you can scale it back to once a month, or whenever necessary, based on the usage of the board.

How to Remove Stains and Deep Clean

With time, your wooden cutting boards will develop some discoloration or stains from food items like beets, berries, or wine. While one cannot completely avoid discoloration, extra effort and some easy, natural methods will remove them. An additional few minutes of extra work can rid one of those deep-seated stains and deep clean the cutting board.

Baking Soda Paste:

Mix baking soda with water into a paste. Using a cloth or a soft sponge, rub the paste onto the stain. Then, rinse and dry like usual.

Hydrogen peroxide works great for stubborn stains. You are to apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to those marks and let them be for some minutes. Later, gently wipe it away with a wet cloth. You do not forget to rinse very well and let the board dry after all the operations.

Sanding away deep stains or scratches: Light sanding works wonders if your board develops deep stains or scratches. Lightly sand that area of the board that has been stained or scratched using fine-grit sandpaper and then re-oil the board to protect the newly exposed wood.

Methods to Prevent Warping and Cracking

Warping and cracking is what typically happens to a wood cutting board when not taken care of properly. To prevent that, follow the following basic tips below:

Avoid Soaking in Water:

Never let your cutting board be soaked in water. Too much moisture over a certain period of time will swell the wood, causing it to warp or crack. Flip Usage: If your board is two-sided, flip it periodically to ensure that both sides wear evenly. This is done so that it equally distributes the wear and tear so that one side doesn’t become super worn out. Store in a Dry Place: Your cutting board should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or humidity. That can make a wood board expand and contract to such a degree, it might even crack under the radical fluctuations of temperature. Keep One Board Exclusively for Raw Meat: If possible, use another cutting board solely for raw meat and poultry. This will minimize cross-contamination and make cleaning much easier. Of all foods, fruits, vegetables, and bread pose the least risk on wood boards, while plastic boards are easy to sanitize for use with raw meats. Conclusion With proper cleaning, oiling, and maintenance, your wood cutting board will definitely last for years, looking and performing like new. Just follow these simple steps, and you will be assured that your board will serve well and beautifully in your kitchen, whether for a professional or a home cook, while it remains in top condition for all of your culinary adventures.