What material are your cutting boards made of? The material influences the way we clean cutting boards; Cleaning a plastic board is not the same as cleaning a wooden one. However, in all cases it is essential to do it regularly to prevent bacteria from proliferating in them. Today we share with you the keys to properly clean wooden boards to cut in order to disinfect them and eliminate the most difficult stains. Shall we begin?
Wooden boards, the favorites
The chopping boards They are essential in a kitchen and although there are modern alternatives to the classic wooden boards today, these are still the favorites in our kitchens. There has been a lot of talk and comparison of the safety of one and the other, however, both plastic and wooden boards have been ruled as safe as long as they are cleaned well and are replaced frequently.
Choosing between one or the other, therefore, depends on other factors such as our own preference, the longevity of the material and the cost. And in terms of longevity, a hardwood cutting board, such as maple or treated beech wood, wins over the rest by being less prone to scars and grooves, as long as it is well maintained.
How to clean wooden boards
Wood is a porous material, which contributes to the proliferation of bacteria if a proper cleaning routine is not maintained. Especially careful must be taken with those intended for preparing raw meat or fish, which should be used exclusively for these foods. It will not be enough to clean them well after use, but we will always have to make sure to dry them, preferably in the air. But, what we were talking about, what do we clean it with?
Soap and water in everyday life
As we have already anticipated, the boards must be washed after each use as we do with any kitchen tool and utensil. And doing it with a scouring pad, water and soap is the easiest way to do it. Afterwards, we will make sure to place it in the air, whenever weather permits, and wait for it to dry completely before storing it.
Salt, lemon and baking soda for a deeper cleaning
These ingredients are very effective for cleaning wooden cutting boards since with them we can both deodorize and remove stains. For this you will have to sprinkle salt and/or baking soda generously on the board, cut a lemon in half and use it as a scouring pad to rub the board, tracing circles on its surface for a couple of minutes.
Once done, you will only have to rinse the board with water in the sink and it will be shiny! Don't forget to let it dry in the sun afterwards. The board will be ready to use and will not only be clean but will also smell fresh.
Bleach, for disinfection
You probably find it strange to use bleach to clean a cutting board and wonder if it is safe for future preparations. It is normal to ask yourself these questions and for your peace of mind we confirm that it is as long as the bleach is used diluted and rinsed very well afterwards under the tap.
With the purpose of disinfect the table, especially the one you have used to prepare raw meat or fish in order to avoid cross contamination, using bleach is advisable once or twice a month, depending on the use you give the board.
To use it, place it in a large container 1 tablespoon of bleach per 3 liters of water and immerse your cutting boards in this solution. After a couple of minutes, wash everything with warm water and soap to remove the remains of the chemicals, rinse generously and dry the board in the sun.
How to improve board protection
Do you want to improve the protection of wood? After cleaning and completely drying, it is advisable to lightly rub the board with mineral oil food grade both so that the wood stays hydrated and to prevent moisture from leaking, generating deformations.
The ideal is to use your fingers or kitchen paper to spread the oil evenly over the entire board, making sure to cover all sides and edges. Afterwards, it is important to let it absorb for a couple of hours and repeat these steps again until you see the wood well nourished. Once done, remove the excess oil with a piece of paper and let the wood cure for 72 hours before using it again.
You can also use olive oil, however, although this will hydrate the wood, it will not provide lasting protection to it. He tung oil pure It is much more appropriate in these cases. It is an oil made from walnut oil, so caution should be taken if you have nut allergies at home. Furthermore, it is essential to let it dry for at least 4 days before using the board.