Tips for Cleaning Wooden Cu.tting Boards: Easy Ways to Keep Them Germ-Free and Mold-Free Without Scrubbing

1. Clean with Vinegar

Vinegar, with its main acidic component, is great for cleaning, removing dirt, and killing bacteria.
To clean a cutting board with vinegar, simply pour vinegar directly onto the board’s surface and leave it for about 5 minutes. Then, scrub the board with clean water and let it dry.

2. Clean with Salt and Vinegar

These are common kitchen ingredients that are inexpensive and effective for removing stains.
Start by using hot water to clean off some of the surface stains. The hot water softens stains and helps kill bacteria. Next, sprinkle salt on the surface of the board. Salt increases friction and helps remove stains. Then, pour a moderate amount of vinegar onto the board and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
The combination of vinegar and salt will help deodorize, disinfect, and remove stains. After 5 minutes, use a dish scrubber to clean the board, rinse it with clean water, and let it dry in a well-ventilated area.

3. Clean with Rice Water

After washing rice, you can keep the water to clean household items.
If your cutting board has an unpleasant smell, soak it in rice water for 3-5 minutes. After that, scrub it with soap, rinse with clean water, and dry it.

4. Clean with Lemon and Salt

Similar to vinegar, lemon has an acidic nature that can soften stains and kill bacteria. You can combine lemon with salt to enhance the cleaning effect.
Sprinkle salt over the entire surface of the board. Use half a lemon to scrub directly onto the board. After waiting for a few minutes to let both components work, rinse the board with clean water and let it dry in a well-ventilated area.

5. Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is typically used to clean and disinfect wounds, but it can also be effective in cleaning household items.
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer that disinfects well. You can use it to clean cutting boards, especially those used for cutting raw meat.
First, wipe the board with vinegar. Then, use a cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide to wipe the board again. You can also pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the board, leave it for a few minutes to push out any dirt, and then rinse with clean water. Finally, let the board dry.