There’s a knack to keeping the lifespan of your cutting boards long. Obviously if you use them a lot they’re going to wear out faster, but there’s still a little bit of proper maintenance you can do to keep them in shape. Here’s how to get your cutting boards to last years.
”I think the biggest thing is clean as you go. Wash all your knives, cutting boards, dishes, when you are done cooking, not look at a sink full of dishes after you are done. Cleaning as you go helps keep away cross contamination and you avoid having food borne bacteria.” - Cat Cora
How to Sanitize Cutting Boards?
The simple answer is to add sanitizer to the boards, but that’s not quite accurate. You’ll need to do a thorough cleaning both before and during the sanitation process. Follow the directions down below to get the best help on the subject. That’s basically how to get your cutting boards to last years.
- Rinse - Carefully wash the board, trying not to get contaminated water on the counter
- Scrub - Scrub with soap and water
- Sanitize - You’ll need different sanitizers for wood and plastic
How to Protect Wooden Cutting Boards?
Aside from the oil (below) you can add a cream that will add years to your wooden board’s life. Nowadays there are also coconut oil cutting boards that will mix in a slight hint of coconut. In either case, simply apply the cream and oil after washing the boards, and then add a polish and buff. Wooden boards do have a lifespan, so this can only be done so many times.
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How to Oil a Wooden Cutting Board?
A cutting board oil recipe consists of beeswax and mineral oil bare minimum. You can further add coconut oil or honey if you wish. Otherwise the oil should be allowed to permeate the wood but not be “slick” or “slimy” afterwards. Look below for brief instructions on how to oil your board.
- Clean the Wood - Give the boards a good scrub
- Apply Oil - Paint on a thin layer of wax and oil
- Soak - Allow to soak in the oil overnight
- Remove Excess Oil - Simply use a paper towel to remove the excess
How to Clean Bamboo Cutting Boards?
Bamboo is a bit of a different story. Because it is denser and thicker, it both resists cuts into the material and will harm blades trying to cut or polish it. The tradeoff is that it will last longer, and it’s made from an antimicrobial board. Also, it won’t warp and it will last a long time. You can use grapeseed oil for cutting boards like this one.
How to Clean Plastic Cutting Boards?
Plastic is perfect for cutting anything that isn’t meat. This is because the more a plastic board is used, the more crevices it has that bacteria can hide in. The flip side is plastic is far easier to sanitize. Just spray the sanitizer and put it in the dishwasher. Plus it’s relatively easier to know how to treat a new cutting board when it’s made of plastic.
When to Replace a Cutting Board?
Generally when it becomes too scarred to sand down. If there are multiple “nooks and crannies” that cut too deep, it might be safer to just purchase a new one rather than deal with possible infections. This is when it helps to know how to make a cutting board.
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