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How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board

To clean your wooden cutting board, first remove all remaining food particles. Wash both sides of the board using hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly, and then dry with a towel. Allow the cutting board to stand on its edge until completely dry. Each month (or more frequently if the cutting board begins to develop an odor or stains), scrub the cutting board with coarse salt and one-half of a lemon. After scrubbing, apply a light layer of food-safe mineral oil to prevent the cutting board from becoming too dry. 

This is the entire cleaning process. On average it should take you less than five minutes per day to clean your cutting board. However, it may take up to 20 minutes once a month to deep-clean your cutting board. The following is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your cutting board, as well as some tips for cleaning up after using raw meat/poultry on your cutting board, and a list of common practices that will reduce the lifespan of your cutting board. 


What do you need to clean a wooden cutting board? 


For Everyday Cleaning: 

  • Mild dish soap 

  • Hot water 

  • A soft sponge or cloth 

  • A bench scraper or flat spatula 

  • A dry towel or cloth 

For Monthly Maintenance: 

  • Coarse salt (kosher salt works well) 

  • A lemon 

  • Food-grade mineral oil, or a board cream made with mineral oil and beeswax 

You will want to have two different cloths, one to wash with and one to dry with.  
Our Cleanomic Reusable Kitchen Cloths are made from a blend of cellulose and cotton, which makes them very absorbent. They are machine washable and can be placed in your dishwasher after each use. Each cloth may be used as many as 200 times before it needs replacing. These reusable cloths can help to reduce waste when drying your cutting board. 


How do you clean a wooden cutting board after every use? 


Hand wash both sides of the board with hot, soapy water and then rinse off the soap.  
Immediately dry the cutting board. According to FoodSafety.gov, cutting boards should be washed with hot, soapy water after every single use. 

  1. Scrape off any food from the surface of your work area. Using a bench scraper or spatula, push the crumbs and other waste into either the garbage can or compost bin. 

  1. Wash both sides as well as the edges of the board. Use a soft sponge or cloth along with some dishwashing soap and warm water. Wood expands when exposed to moisture. If you only allow the top surface to get wet, each side will grow at different rates, which may lead to warping of the board. 

  1. Rinse. Run clean water over both sides until no suds are left. 

  1. Towel it dry. Wipe off as much water as you can straight away. 

  1. Position the dish vertically. Keep the dish vertical, or in a dish drainer with space surrounding it, while waiting for the dish to fully dry. 


Can you put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher? 


It's generally better to wash it by hand. According to the USDA, solid-wood boards can be washed in the dishwasher, but laminated boards may crack or split. However, most board manufacturers recommend hand washing because prolonged exposure to heat and water can cause warping, splitting, and separation of glued joints. A quick wash in the sink with hot, soapy water can help keep your board in better condition for longer. 


How do you clean a wooden cutting board after chicken or raw meat? 


After cutting raw chicken or meat, wash the board thoroughly with hot, soapy water. For added protection, clean the board using a food-safe method recommended by the USDA. According to FoodSafety.gov, you should use one cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and another for fresh produce and foods that won't be cooked before eating. The same cleaning guidance applies after preparing raw eggs. 

Using boards of different sizes can help you remember which is which. A larger board works well for raw meat, while a smaller one can be used for bread, fruit, and vegetables. Some people also mark their boards with a small notch or a bit of paint on the handle to tell them apart. 

After cleaning the counter, put the used cloth in the laundry rather than using it again before washing. FoodSafety.gov recommends washing dishcloths frequently on a hot cycle. Cleanomic Reusable Kitchen Cloths can be washed with the rest of your laundry, following their care instructions. 


How do you deep clean a wooden cutting board with salt and lemon? 


Sprinkle some large-grained salt on your cutting board. Use the cut surface of one half of a lemon to scrub the board. Allow the board to rest for several minutes. After allowing the board to sit, scrape off the salt and lemon juice. Rinse the board and pat dry. The salt will act as an abrasive scrub, and the lemon juice can help remove light stains, as well as smells from items like garlic, onions, or fish. It is recommended that you perform this procedure approximately once per month; however, if your board begins to appear dull or continues to retain smells, you should consider doing this more frequently. 

  1. The first step is to use a fresh cutting board. First, wash and rinse the cutting board as you normally would. After washing, apply the salt and lemon scrub on top of your normal wash, not instead of it. 

  1. Cover it with salt. Sprinkle a generous layer of coarse salt over the surface. 

  1. Use the lemon to scrub. Slice the lemon in half and then use the cut end to scrub the salt into the wood, using small circular motions. While scrubbing, press lightly on the lemon to release some of the juice that will mix with the salt. 

  1. Let it sit. Leave the paste for about five minutes. 

  1. Scrape and wash. Scrape the salt off with a bench scraper, wash the board with warm water and let it dry by laying it on its side. 

After flipping the board, you should apply the same process to the other side of the board as well (if you are using both sides). Over time, lemon juice can lighten the wood; therefore, applying another layer of oil after the first will help make sure that the color remains uniform throughout the entire piece of wood. 


Why should you dry a wooden cutting board upright? 


Standing a board on one of its edges allows for airflow across both sides simultaneously, which results in even drying and quickness. Water that sits on top of the wood is generally the cause of warping, cracking, and dark spots. When a board is dried flat on a counter top, the bottom side will remain wet for several hours. 

After towel drying the board as much as possible, place the board either vertically on the back splash or horizontally in a dish drying rack with enough room for air circulation. Wait for the board to completely dry prior to stacking, storing in a cabinet, or applying oil. 


How do you oil a wooden cutting board? 


Apply a thin coat of food-grade mineral oil over all areas, allow it to set into the wood for several hours (or even overnight), and then remove any excess. Oil will fill the pores of the wood, allowing water to bead on the surface rather than be absorbed by the wood. This will help prevent the board from drying out and ultimately cracking. 

  1. Start with a clean, completely dry board. 

  1. Pour on a little oil. About a tablespoon is plenty for a medium board. 

  1. Spread with a clean cloth or paper towel. Work into the top, bottom and edges in the direction of the wood grain. 

  1. Let it sit. Keep the board upright for several hours (or all night if the wood is extremely dry). 

  1. Remove the extra product. Use a dry cloth to polish the area until it does not feel greasy. 

Oil the cutting board about every month, and whenever you notice the wood looks light-colored, or when water begins to seep into the cutting board rather than bead up. New cutting boards may require being oiled weekly during their first month. After applying oil to the cutting board, apply a layer of board cream (a combination of mineral oil and beeswax) to provide additional protection. 


Can you use olive oil on a wooden cutting board? 


The use of olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, etc., should be avoided as they will eventually spoil and create an unpleasant sticky residue on the wood with an odor that is stale. On the other hand, food grade mineral oil is a non-reactive substance and does not spoil. 


What should you avoid with a wooden cutting board? 


Most damage to a wooden board comes from too much water or too much heat.  
Keep these out of your routine: 

  • Soaking it in the sink. Wood soaks up standing water fast and can split as it dries. 

  • Leaving it wet. Always dry it right after washing. 

  • Washing only one side. Uneven moisture is a common cause of warping. 

  • Steel wool or harsh scouring pads. They scratch the surface and open up grooves. 

  • Cooking oils for conditioning. Use food-grade mineral oil instead. 

  • Storing it flat while damp. Let it finish drying upright first. 


When should you replace a wooden cutting board? 


Replace your board once it is worn out and has deep knife cuts which are difficult to wash, or if there are cracks in the wood. FoodSafety.gov suggests you should replace cutting boards once they have been worn. A cutting board that is dry, pale and smooth may only need a good application of oil. 

 

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FAQ 


Can you use dish soap on a wooden cutting board? 

Yes. The most common method of washing a wooden cutting board is with a small amount of mild dish detergent and hot water. After washing, thoroughly rinse the board to remove all traces of soap from the surface, then allow the board to air-dry immediately. 

Why is my wooden cutting board turning black? 

Dark spots on your cutting board are usually caused by water trapped within the wood fibers. This happens when the wood dries while being stored flat, or if the board remains wet for an extended period of time. You may use a salt/lemon scrub to lighten any superficial dark spots. Once you have used the scrub, store the board vertically each time you use it and apply oil regularly. However, if the dark spots extend deeply into the wood fibers, or appear in the cracks of the board, it is time to replace your cutting board.  

How often should you oil a wooden cutting board? 

The wood should be oiled approximately once a month, and as soon as it appears light in color or does not cause water to form droplets on top. When using new boards, they may require oiling at least once per week during the first few weeks after being installed. 

How do you get smells out of a wooden cutting board? 

To clean the cutting board, apply coarse salt and a cut-half of a lemon to the surface; leave on the board for approximately 5 minutes; remove excess applying pressure, rinse and dry in an upright position. This may help reduce lingering odors from garlic, onion, and fish. 

How do you make a wooden cutting board look new again? 

Give it a salt and lemon scrub to lift surface stains. Once it's fully dry, apply a generous coat of food-grade mineral oil and leave it overnight. The oil can help restore the wood's natural color. A finish of board cream gives it a soft sheen. 

A wooden board asks for very little: a quick wash, a proper dry and a bit of oil now and then. Keep a stack of Cleanomic Reusable Kitchen Cloths by the sink for washing and drying, and browse our other kitchen essentials for the rest of your routine. 


Sources & Additional Resources 


FoodSafety.gov – 4 Steps to Food Safety 
https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Cutting Boards 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/cutting-boards 

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