Over the past year or so I have been slowly replacing items in my kitchen with natural products and materials. Plastics being one of the major things that I am trying to get rid of. We have eliminated all plastic dishes and switched to glass or ceramic, and a few months ago I bought new wooden cutting boards. I mostly like my wood cutting boards, they are easy to keep clean and I don’t worry about stray bits of plastic ending up in my food. However there is one big draw back, I worry that I can’t properly disinfect when cutting meat, and the lingering odor when chopping onions and garlic. Washing them in hot soapy water isn’t an option I would like to us, considering I spent a good amount of money on my boards and I want them to last, well, forever. Hot water and soap dry out wood and the board will eventually become warped and crack.
So what is a girl to do?
I have a very easy solution that cover the disinfection and deodorising.
The other night we had roast chicken for dinner and I used my cutting board to carve that little bird. It was greasy and covered with chicken juice, it needed a good disinfection.
First I gave it a good all over rinse with warm water.
Once it is rinsed and wet I sprinkled the board generously with salt.
Then, taking a half of a lemon I rubbed the salt in the the board, scrubbing both surfaces and the sides.
Until the salt is completely dissolved.
The combined action of the salt and the lemon juice took care of any smell and any germs. This is a quick and simple method that doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals or soaps that would potentially ruin your nice wood cutting boards.
I am impressed you have been getting rid of plastics. I love my gigantic Tupperware bowl and don't think I could part with it.
I hate the lingering garlic smell. I use the lemon on my bamboo cutting board and it works! And my board naturally dries as it sits on my counter so I periodically rub it down with oil and it keeps it very nice – preventing cracking- so far at least.
Don't be too impressed Jessica, I still have my giant tupperware bowl too, it is one of my hold outs! 😉
Make sure if/when you rub it down with oil, use a vegetable oil that will not go rancid easily or use mineral oil. Otherwise, it will smell really awful.
Thanks Aimee for the 'how to'. I've got a large cutting board that I've dunked into hot soapy water more than a few times. I now know better:)
I've heard of this method, but never tried it because I don't keep fresh lemons on hand. Do you suppose I could use bottled lemon juice and rub in the salt with a rag?
Yes Emily, you can use bottled lemon juice, I have even used a few drops of lemon essential oil when I haven't had either on hand.