How to Clean a Cutting Board

Cleaning your cutting boards is important because they are constantly exposed to bacteria through the foods you cut on them. By doing routine cleaning, sanitizing your board and performing regular board maintenance, you can keep your boards clean and in good working condition for years to come.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Routine Cleaning

Rinse your board with water right after you use it, rather than waiting until the end of the meal or even the next day when you clean it. This will help minimize bacteria growth and keep your board cleaner. Resist the urge to throw your board in the sink after the meal and forget about it.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Clean your board with dish soap and hot water. To clean your cutting board, scrub it with a few drops of dish soap on a sponge and some hot water.^{[2]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Be sure to remove any food particles as you wash, paying particular attention to any grooves or scrapes in your board. Food can collect in these spots.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Never clean a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher or soak it in water. The wood will absorb water, which can lead to bacteria and mold forming.^{[4]XExpert SourceJames Sears
  House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
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Rinse your board to remove any traces of soap. You don’t want whatever you cook next to taste like your dish soap.^{[5]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
After you’re finished washing your cutting board, dry it thoroughly with a clean dishtowel, removing any excess water. This is particularly important if your board is made of wood, as they are more prone to cracks.^{[6]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Sanitizing and Removing Stains

To sanitize your cutting board after use, sprinkle it with some baking soda. Then, spray the baking soda–covered board with white vinegar. This will fizz, helping draw stains out of your board and deodorizing it. Let this mix sit for 5 minutes and then rinse your board with water, drying as normal.^{[7]XResearch source}
2
Disinfect your board with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Just as hydrogen peroxide can clean a wound, it can also clean your cutting board. Sprinkle your board with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, and let it stand for 1 minute to kill any surface bacteria. Then, rinse your board with water, and dry with a dishtowel as normal.^{[8]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- Hydrogen peroxide can bleach porous surfaces like wood. Don’t let the solution sit too long or it might fade your cutting board.^{[9]XResearch source}
3
Remove stains with a scrub of coarse salt. For deep, set-in stains on your cutting board, use a coarse salt, such as kosher salt, as a scrub.^{[10]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Wet a sponge and use a handful of salt to scour your board, focusing on any areas of discoloration. Rinse your board with water when finished, and dry with a clean towel.^{[11]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 15 October 2019.}^{[12]XResearch source}
- Be sure to wash your hands well and moisturize them with lotion after scrubbing your board with salt. It can be very drying. Another option is wearing kitchen gloves.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Cutting Board

Especially if you work with raw meats and fish on your cutting board, use a diluted bleach solution to do a deep clean of your board once a month. Make a solution that’s 1/8th bleach and 7/8ths water. Wet a sponge, and scrub your board with the solution. Rinse well with plain water and dry your board as normal with a clean towel.
To keep your board smelling fresh, use half of a cut lemon to deodorize your board. Rub the cut-side of the lemon along the length of the board side to side. Then, rinse with plain water, and dry with a clean towel.
3
Condition your cutting board weekly. If your cutting board is made of wood, use mineral oil to condition your board after it’s clean. This will keep it in optimal condition. Do not use organic oils or fats, which can turn rancid, to lubricate your board. Look for products labeled kitchen-grade white mineral oil, such as Howard’s Cutting Board Oil.^{[13]XResearch source}
- There are other mineral oils meant for lubricating machinery but not for consumption. Look specifically for kitchen-grade oil.
- You can condition your board every time you clean it, or a minimum of once a week. Simply rub your board with the conditioner, and let it air try so the oil can soak in.
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Expert Q&A

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How do you clean a plastic cutting board?
James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.
James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Answer
Use baking soda to clean it! This is especially effective on plastic cutting boards.
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