For many of us, our wooden cutting boards have a special place in our kitchen and in our hearts.
After all, it’s no use having even the fanciest set of kitchen knives without a great chopping board to use them with. Unfortunately, all that slicing and dicing can cause mold to build up. Not only does this present a health hazard, but it can ruin the appearance and functionality of your board.
The good news is that getting rid of mold on wood cutting boards is an easy process. Here, we’ll share our secrets for getting your board clean and sanitary- and keeping it that way.
1. Removing Mold with Salt and Lemon
Many people prefer to use a natural method to remove mold from a wooden chopping board.
This makes sense- after all, you’re using it to prepare food. Luckily, as long as the mold growth on your board is minor, you can often remove it with items you probably already have in your kitchen. All you need is some coarse-ground sea salt and a lemon.
Start by covering your cutting board in a generous layer of the salt. Using half a lemon, scrub the salt into the surface with as much energy as you can muster. The salt will ‘exfoliate’ any mold (and mold stains) from the cutting board, while the lemon leaves it smelling lovely and fresh.
2. Using Bleach
If the mold problem on your cutting board is more severe, salt and lemon probably won’t be enough to get rid of it completely. Although it may sound odd, chlorine bleach is safe to use on food preparation surfaces as long as it’s properly diluted and rinsed off afterwards. Bleaching is also an effective way to kill any bacteria that’s lingering on your cutting board.
Begin by diluting your chlorine bleach properly. 2 teaspoons per half gallon of warm water is the ideal solution strength for removing mold from wood cutting boards. Using a kitchen scrubbing brush, gently scrub your cutting board in the bleach solution until the mold has all been taken care of. Once you’ve finished, thoroughly rinse to remove any lingering bleach solution and wipe your board dry. Leave it to air thoroughly to make sure any leftover moisture has completely gone. Once you’ve got a clean board, it’s time to maintain it to make sure your mold problem doesn’t return.
3. Buy A Safe & Natural Cutting Board Cleaner
Aside from using salt & lemon or the more industrial route of bleach, fortunately there are many products on the market designed for cleaning cutting boards as naturally as possible, as everyone can agree that people are looking for the safest alternatives when available.
Below is a list of our top recommended cutting board cleaners:
CLARK’S Cutting Board Organic Soap – Orange & Lemon Extracts
Clark’s cutting board organic soap is made of orange and lemon extracts. Not only is this a safe choice, the 12oz container should last a long time. This soap doesn’t have any harsh soaps, thickeners or gels making it a great choice.
Howard Products CBC012 Cutting Board Cleaner – Coconut & Lemon Oil
This board cleaner by Howard Products is also a nice and safe choice for all butcher blocks and cutting boards. Not only is it safe, but it gives off a fresh scent, as it consists of coconut and lemon oil. Like the Clark’s organic soap, you get 12oz, which will last a long time unless you are using your cutting boards daily.
Clark’s Natural Cutting Board Spray Cleaner & Microcloth – Easiest to Use
Clark’s natural cutting board spray is by far the easiest to use. On top of that, this cleaner comes with a microfber cloth as well, so great value. Like the other two cleaners mentioned above, this cleaner is derived of natural ingredients such as castile soap, lemon and orange citrus oil extracts, and also comes in 12 ounces.
Any one of these 3 products listed above are derived of natural ingredients, and are very nice having around. This will save you time by easily being able to whip out your cleaning product and stir up a concoction of salt and lemon each time.
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How to Maintain a Wood Cutting Board
Once you’ve got it sparkling clean, it’s important to understand about proper wood cutting board maintenance.
Simply from the point of view of health and safety, it’s important to keep any food preparation surface or utensil free from mold and bacteria. However, show your wooden board some proper care and attention and, unlike plastic boards, it will last you for years or even decades. A well looked-after board will maintain its appearance and even become more pleasing to look at if you show it some TLC once in a while.
Keep your board squeaky clean
Any board that’s not cleaned properly will quickly grow bacteria and mold.
For this reason, you need to wash your board thoroughly with warm water and detergent after every use. If you’ve been cutting meat, you may wish to use a very mild bleach solution to make sure absolutely all the bacteria are gone.
2. Never soak your board
Unlike pots and pans, you should never leave a wooden cutting board soaking in the sink.
Soaking your board will cause the wood to swell. Over time, this will lead to warping and cracking. Not only does this look unsightly, but cracks are the perfect place for mold to set up shop.
3. Keep your board oiled
Oiling your board or applying our board butter is vital to keep its appearance and stop it from drying out.
A dried-out board will warp and ultimately crack. How often you oil your board depends on how often you use it, but at least monthly is recommended. The oil you choose should be food-safe and non-perishable. Our board butter is the perfect tool for the job to keep your wood cutting boards in top condition.
Before you oil your board, give it a good clean. Apply a layer of oil to the board using kitchen paper or a cloth. Leaving the oil to soak in overnight is ideal, but a few hours will suffice in a pinch. Use kitchen paper to remove any excess oil before you use the board next.
Are Custom Wood Cutting Boards Better?
When it comes to functionality and appearance, it’s well worth investing in a custom wood cutting board.
These boards can be made to your specifications and preferences, and they are built to last. Custom wood cutting boards are made using a far higher quality of wood than you’ll find in most stores. When properly looked after, these boards will last for many years without cracking or warping, and will look beautiful in your kitchen and on your table.