Cleaning your wooden cutting board is easy with these two household items!
Cutting boards are one of the most frequently used kitchen tools, making them prone to harboring bacteria, stains, and odors. While there are plenty of cleaners available, using natural ingredients like salt and lemon offers an eco-friendly and highly effective way to clean and deodorize your cutting board. Julia Hunt showed us how you can use this simple method to keep your cutting board in top condition.
Why Salt and Lemon?
Both salt and lemon are powerful natural cleaners. Salt acts as a gentle abrasive, scrubbing away food residue and stains, while lemon, with its acidity, helps clean and neutralize odors. When combined, they not only clean but also deodorize your cutting board, leaving it fresh and free of bacteria.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Rinse the Cutting Board: Begin by rinsing your cutting board with warm water to remove any loose food particles. This will help the salt and lemon penetrate deeper into the wood or plastic surface for a more thorough clean.
- Sprinkle Salt: Generously sprinkle coarse salt over the surface of the cutting board. The salt will act as a mild abrasive, helping to scrub away stuck-on food bits, stains, and grime.
- Rub with Lemon: Take one half of the lemon and, with the cut side down, scrub the surface of the cutting board. Use firm pressure to work the lemon juice into the salt. As you scrub, the combination of the lemon’s acidic juice and the coarse salt will break down stains and eliminate odors. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the board, paying extra attention to areas with visible stains or strong odors (like garlic or onion).
- Let It Sit: After scrubbing, let the salt and lemon mixture sit on the board for 5-10 minutes. This gives the natural disinfecting properties of the lemon more time to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
- Rinse and Dry: Once the mixture has had time to work, rinse the cutting board thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to wash away all the salt and lemon residue. Pat the board dry with a clean cloth or towel, and then let it air-dry completely in an upright position to prevent moisture from getting trapped, especially if your cutting board is wooden.
Optional: Treating Your Wooden Cutting Board
If you’re cleaning a wooden cutting board, it’s a good idea to periodically condition it after deep cleaning. Apply a small amount of food-grade mineral oil to the surface and rub it in with a clean cloth. This helps prevent the wood from drying out and cracking over time.
Looking for more kitchen hacks? Check out these 6 Kitchen Hacks to Make Your Life Easier!
Enjoy!
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This tip was shared from @julialhunt