How To Clean Your Wooden Cutting Board | Tips to Maintaining Wood Cutting Boards
Every household has at least one cutting board in their kitchen, whether it be plastic or wooden. Plastic cutting boards can simply be put in a dishwasher. But if you are wondering how to clean a wooden cutting board, we are here to help (Quick tip: don't put it in the dishwasher).
Instructions Before First Using A Drapela Works Cutting Board
When you first get your cutting board, it is recommended you rinse both sides with warm water and a mild dish detergent before using it for any food preparation. This ensures you are removing any particles from shipping
The Best Way to Clean Your Wood Cutting Board
In case you didn’t know, it is recommended that wood kitchen appliances be hand washed instead of being placed in a dishwasher. Drapela Works cutting boards are no different, we recommend hand wash only instructions for optimal long-term care.
Here are our recommendations on the best ways to clean your cutting board:
- After chopping, scrape any food remaining into the trash or garbage disposal
- Next, use hot water, a dash of mild liquid dish soap and a soft sponge to scrub the surface of the board. Give extra attention to any grooves from knife marks that can trap particles
- Repeat for the top, bottom, and sides of the cutting board to prevent warping on the most-used side
- Rinse the board well with clean water and wipe excess from the surface using a clean towel
- Prop the board on its edge and allow it to air dry completely before storing
How to disinfect your wood cutting board
From time to time, especially after heavy use, we recommend disinfecting your cutting board.
- To disinfect and deodorize a board after cleaning with soap and water, use distilled white vinegar or a mixture of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water.
- To apply, dunk a clean cloth or sponge in either the vinegar or diluted bleach and use it to scrub the board thoroughly.
- Rinse and dry the board.
- Using hydrogen peroxide is another way to kill germs on the board. Pour a little hydrogen peroxide onto the surface. The hydrogen peroxide will make a fizzing sound.
- Allow the hydrogen peroxide to stand on the cutting for several minutes. When the fizzing subsides, rinse and wipe the board with a clean sponge.
Oiling and Maintaining a High-Quality Wood Cutting Board
When you own a high-quality cutting board, it’s important to keep it oiled to ensure it truly does last a lifetime. When a Drapela Works cutting board is made, it is treated with mineral oil and a thin coating of beeswax before it is sent out for delivery. The mineral oil and beeswax ensures that the cutting board is sealed, protected, and food safe upon delivery. But you will want to make sure you are oiling it from time to time to keep that like-new quality.
There are a lot of butcher block oils for sale. Many run from $10 - $50 depending on the brand and size of the bottle. But we recommend purchasing a generic food grade mineral oil from the pharmacy section of Walmart or Walgreens (substitute Walmart or Walgreens for Taget, CVS, Fred Meyers, Kroger or your regional grocer). Generic food grade mineral oil from Walgreens costs about $6 and is just as good as name brand oils.
The frequency in which you should be oiling your cutting board or butcher block varies on how often they are used. The general rule-of-thumb is to reapply the conditioning oil if it looks dry. If it still looks dry after application, add more.
The Best Reasons to Buy a Wood Cutting Board
The best reason to purchase a wood cutting board is that they harbor less bacteria. The wood absorbs the bacteria and traps and kills them. Plus, wooden cutting boards are actually gentler on your knives versus many alternatives.
All in all, cleaning your wooden cutting board is not as scary as you think! Use these simple tips and your wooden cutting board will stay clean and last a long time.
