Cutting boards are something we all have in our home. Cutting boards are used in home kitchens and the most prestigious restaurants. Cutting boards are used to chop meat, vegetables, fruits and other food items. Taking care of your cutting boards is important to prevent bacteria and to make them last for years to come.
How to Care for Cutting Boards
Wood Cutting Boards
Once you own a good wood cutting board you will never need to purchase another one. The key to keeping your wooden cutting board for a lifetime is by properly maintaining it. Wooden cutting boards are sturdier than plastic cutting boards, less likely to contaminate food than plastic and easier on your knives than marble is.
Purchasing a high-quality wood cutting board is pricey but well worth the investment. A wood cutting board can be easily damaged if they get too dry or too much moisture. To protect your cutting boards you will want to finish them with an oil finish. You need to ensure you are using a Food Grade Oil. Some will suggest using a mineral oil and others say coconut or walnut oil is sufficient.
You will need to rub the oil into all sides of the wood board and make sure the wood is absorbing the oil. Let the cutting board sit for 24-hours and then repeat this process one to two more times. You will want to do this process anytime your board is looking dull and dry.
You should always clean your wood cutting boards once you are done using them. Do not soak your cutting board in water or run through the dishwasher. You can brush or rinse off any food residue using non-metal brush. You will want to dry your board off right away to prevent water from building up and ruining your board.
Even though wood cutting boards are known to be bacteria resistant you can use vinegar as an added precaution. Spray a little vinegar on your cutting board, let sit for about 15 minutes and then dry off with a clean towel.
Marble Cutting Boards
Some people prefer to use a marble cutting board over a wooden one and that is fine. Caring for a marble cutting board is a little different than caring for a wood cutting board.
When cleaning a marble cutting board you will want to ensure you are using a non-toxic cleaner. Using any type of toxic cleaner might mean getting those chemicals into your food. You can clean your marble by adding two cups of warm water into a spray bottle. You will then want to add two to three teaspoons of dish soap. Make sure to mix up the solution by shaking the spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the marble cutting board and let sit for a few minutes. Once the solution has sat, clean it off with a sponge.
Edited to add: Ann of Ann’s Entitled Life says that you should never use vinegar on marble. She suggests using baking soda and water instead.
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Ann says
You should never use vinegar on marble. It is too acidic and can damage and pit marble badly. Marble is a soft stone easily stained. Baking soda and water is a decent choice.