If you use a wood cutting or serving board, you probably know how much of an upgrade it is over plastic or rubber. Wood cutting and serving boards not only look better than other types of boards, but they also make chopping and dicing easier. They are a timeless tradition that dates back to early periods of human history, created by the Romans and perfected by the French.
However, when using a wood cutting or serving board, they need to be cleaned properly with regular maintenance. So today, we're going to talk about how to properly clean your wood cutting or serving board.
Remove any stuck-on bits
If you have any stuck-on bits, use a scraper or knife to remove them. The best way to clean a wood cutting or serving board is with hot water and dish soap (or food-safe mineral oil). If you can't get the stuck-on bits off, try using a bit of hot water and a scrubber sponge or your dish brush. (Note: Never use bleach or vinegar!)
You should also avoid soaking your wooden cutting board in water for extended periods, as this can cause warping and damage to its structure.
Wash Your Board
- Wash it.
- Use warm water and dish* soap, or hot water if you have a dishwasher, and scrub the board with a brush. If you're washing by hand, run your sink with the drain plug open so that any food bits that come off your cutting board will go down into the drain rather than clogging up at the bottom of your sink. A sponge or a rough cloth might not do as good of a job as a scrub brush at getting gunk out from between those grooves. If you don't want to buy yet another utensil for this purpose (and who would?), just use what you already have in your kitchen drawers: old towels or placemats are great for cleaning anything from pots and pans to cutting boards!
Dry It Thoroughly
After cleaning, dry the cutting board thoroughly with a towel. Make sure to dry the entire surface of the board and don't let water sit on it for too long—if you do, your cutting board may warp. If you don't have any towels on hand and need to improvise (or just want an excuse to use that adorable little tea towel), then by all means, go ahead! Make sure not to use paper towels as they will scratch up your beautiful wooden surface.
Many different types of cloths can be used for drying: dish towels, dishcloths, tea towels, cotton cloths, and even hand towels work great!
Sanitize a Wood Cutting or Serving Board
- Sanitize a wood cutting or serving board. You can do this by making a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water and letting the board soak for at least five minutes, or you can use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide in the same way (1 cup per gallon is sufficient).
- Rinse thoroughly after cleaning your cutting board with any of these methods.
Condition Your Wood Cutting or Serving Board
With a conditioned wood cutting or serving/serving board, it will become less susceptible to absorption of various odours from the food placed on it. The conditioning process adds moisture resistance, helping to reduce odours, prevent buildup, and extend its durability and resistance against wood splitting or warping. At Wood Craft Bros, we also have a board butter to help you maintain the beauty of the board, made with beeswax and mineral oil.
- Condition your cutting board by rubbing it with vegetable oil, mineral oil or beeswax.
- Rub the board with a towel and let it sit for 24 hours before use.
At Wood Craft Bros, we pride ourselves on bringing old-world traditions and timeless quality craftmanship to your table. Each board we offer is one-of-a-kind and truly a unique masterpiece, hand-crafted to perfection. For quality European-inspired cutting and serving boards that are 100% Canadian and hand-made, visit our vast selection of Tuscany wine boards, Roma serving boards, our Verona collection, or the Cervatto collection.