How do you get the smell out wooden cutting boards?

Question

I have a wooden cutting board, and after I wash it, it still smells especially like onions or garlic. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Use half a lemon and rub it over the surface. Lemon is good for getting funky cooking smells out, especially cutting boards and your hands!

Answer 2

If this cutting board smells after cutting vegetables, I am very hopeful that you only use it for vegetables and not meat. The liquids out of the vegetables are permeating the wood and meat bacteria would as well. It is a good plan to use a bleach water solution to clean your cutting board after each use and rinse well after you finish washing it. I have even run mine through the dishwasher on the top rack to be sure it is germ free.

Answer 3

Put some baking soda and salt on it, then rub with lemon juice. Make a paste of this or you can cut the lemon in half and rub it on the salt and baking soda. This will clean it well and take the smell right out. Good luck!

Answer 4

If the lemon does not work well for you, try setting it near a window or even taking it outside in the sun. The sun should get the smell out.....I don't know why, it just will!

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Put in dishwasher or buy a wire brush and give it a good scrub with that it should remove smells and a thin layer of the wood.

Answer 6

i wash mine really well right after i use it and about once a month i rub it with food grade mineral oil. if yours still smells it may be the wood, it might be to soft. and is holding in everything.

Answer 7

Use either lemons or a solution of vinegar and water. I prefer the lemons, although it's a bit more expensive.

Answer 8

Make a paste out of water and baking soda-spread it on there and leave for several hours...rinse.

Answer 9

lemon juice or a paste of baking soda

Answer 10

lemon juice... it will also take the smell off of your hands too.