Another cutting board problem!

[Jewel]

I have two cutting boards that I use daily. I use a wooden board for my breads and such, but my primary board is a poly board that is SO old and scratched, but it's my favorite and I've never found one I could replace it with. Most poly boards are very smooth, almost like the marble/glass boards that I HATE because they dull knives and make my blade slide across it when I'm trying to chop. My old poly board started out more 'rough' in the beginning, and with continued use is still rough, and I love it. I clean it daily and clean it well, so I'm not worried about the little hidden bacteria thingies hiding in the cracks.

I keep both boards on top of my microwave, the wooden one on bottom because it's used less often, and my poly board on top of it. When I wash my poly board, I put it in my dish drainer and let it air dry, then put it away. About 3 weeks ago before he left for a trip, DH washed my white poly board, and PUT IT AWAY before it dried...in other words, he dried the top surface, then stacked it on top of the wooden one. I didn't pick that board up for about 4 days since he was gone and I didn't cook :rolleyes: but when I picked it up after his return, the bottom was covered in black moldy spots! :eek: They won't wash off, and I can't seem to even scrub them off with cleanser. I cannot replace this board, for I have LOOKED at every poly board I see in stores and catalogs, and nothing comes close to this old one...how in the world do I get this mold off of my board! I have shamelessly been using the other side for the past 3 weeks, but I'm getting frustrated every time I look at it.

DH offered to buy me a new one, but so far a new one is not an option! What can I do?? :(

[LaraW]

Have you tried using bleach? Bleach will kill the mildew, I don't know for sure if it will get rid of the spots, though.

What about a bathroom cleaner that is made to remove mildew, like Tilex? That might work (I have never tried it, though). I had a really mildewy bathroom in college and it really got rid of the stains.

Do you put your cutting boards in the dishwasher? I put my non-wood one's in there and that seems to work pretty well.

[Terrytx]

I agree with Lara, I would make a mild solution of bleach in a sink full of soapy water and let it soak. I would rinse it well and put it through the dish washer to make sure all the bleach is gone.

[Julie O]

Bleach will work fine. That's how restaurants often sanizize their equipment. I use it on my cutting boards to remove stains like carrots and other highly colored veggies.

Don't use bathroom cleaner though. Its chemicals might seep into the board more and not come out.

[Terri-Lynn2]

I had the same problem so I started throwing it in the dishwasher. It makes it clean as a whistle, removes all of the mildew and leaves that wonderful rough surface alone.

Terri