How do you clean a wooden cutting board?

[misskitty100]

I bought a new wooden cutting board yesterday and would like to wash it before using it. Should I just use dish soap and hot water and dry with a towel? I have heard of using salt/lemon but not sure how or when to do that.

[funniegrrl]

I use dish soap and hot hot water. I also sterilize with white vinegar after, and rinse again before drying.

You'll want to oil it occasionally; actually, every time you wash it for a while. Don't use your cooking oils, but a food-grade mineral oil. You can get that at home shops like Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

[ChristyMarie]

It is also a good idea to oil it before washing or using. I know there's a schedule somewhere for how to properly oil it. Once you wash it, make sure it is dry completely before oiling it again. Always make sure to dry it flat so it doesn't warp.

HTH

[Diane B.]

I just use soap and warm water, then dry the board a bit before standing it up in its normal place (where it can air dry more).

I have a bamboo cutting board now which I've never oiled because it's denser and doesn't seem to need it like my older regular-wood cutting board does though, so don't know if that makes any difference.

I believe the lemon juice (or vinegar) can be used to sanitize the board if its fairly clean of caked on stuff, and the salt can be used as a light abrasive if desired. I assume those both need to be rinsed off though because the acidity and the salt can both cause the wood to dry out more quickly or something similar, especially if not oiling regularly. Not totally sure though.


Diane B.

[southjerseymom]

I saw a show on Foodnetwork about 5 years ago that demonstrated the proper way of cleaning a wood chopping board. The host sprinkled some salt on top of the board, took a halved lemon and rubbed the surface. Afterward she oiled it and I believe she took a dry cloth and buffed it. Not 100% sure, but I believe that's what she did.

[schuh]

I admit it, I put my wood cutting boards in the dishwasher. They don't look like new, but I don't have to fret about bacteria.

[funnybone]

I admit it, I put my wood cutting boards in the dishwasher. They don't look like new, but I don't have to fret about bacteria.


Don't they crack that way?

[schuh]

Don't they crack that way?

One of them was my husband's grandmother's and it's fairly warped but functional. The other one I've had for years. I'm sure it will crack eventually and I'll replace it. I tried oiling them once (along with my knives) and didn't see a difference with any of them.

I'm not saying this is the RIGHT thing to do. It's just what I do. I don't want to give up wood cutting boards, and I don't want to worry about bacteria. So this is what I do.

I also put some of my knives in the dishwasher (but not my best ones). And I completely ruined the finish on All-Clad LTD saucepan by washing it in the dishwasher (before I read that you weren't supposed to). I still use it and put it in the dishwasher -- it doesn't look great but it's functional -- but the rest in the set I now clean by hand.

Maybe my approach is familial. My mom likes to drink from crystal glasses but doesn't like to hand wash them. She just throws them in the dishwasher and replaces them when they are completely cloudy looking. Mind you, this isn't Waterford...

[Meganator]

...Maybe my approach is familial. My mom likes to drink from crystal glasses but doesn't like to hand wash them. She just throws them in the dishwasher and replaces them when they are completely cloudy looking. Mind you, this isn't Waterford...

Tell her to fill the cloudy glass with white vinegar and set it in the sink to soak for a while...that clears up the cloudiness pretty well.