How to look after a wooden chopping board?

Question

I have a wooden chopping board, and usually just wipe it with hot water, but every few days wash it in the sink with detergent. It seems to be getting an odd smell, like a fridge that needs cleaning. Is there something I should be doing, like putting oil on it or something?

Answer 1

Take a tootbrush or small scrubbing utensil, and mix hot water with baking soda. Scrub it with that, then rinse. That will get rid of the smells, stains, etc.

That's what I use on my baking pans that are made out of stone something that you can't put in the dishwasher or use regualr dish soap on, so that's how I learned the baking soda method.

Works extremely well, and you most likely already have it in your house, so you don't need to buy anything else:)

Answer 2

Its not good to soak the wood, which you may be doing with repeated washings. If you are starting to get an odd smell from it, you may have some mildew or mold that has started growing in it. At this point, you need to bleach the board, or set it out in the sun (sunlight is an excellent way to kill mold & mildew). If you would like to bleach it, then use a mixture of half bleach, half water, and scrub it into the board. NOTE -- This will probably lighten the color of the wood too. After bleaching it will need to be rinsed off repeatedly.

Now, after the mold & mildew has been killed off, you can go back to using the board, but yes, you should be treating it. You can use a light oil, like linseed oil, or something similar; or some wood working places, have a tough "pre-finish". I know that Rockler sells a salad bowl finish that dries to a hard clear finish, and works very well.

With proper care, your board should last a very long time. (Ive got a couple that I made 20 years ago, that are still in every day use, and are looking great)

Here is a link to a page with butcher block oil, and salad bowl finish. http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=96
Take a look at the Salad Bowl finish, the Butcher block oil, and Mahoney's food safe finishes.

You may also find these or similar products in your local hardware, or building supply store.

Have Fun

Answer 3

A wipedown with a chlorine bleach solution will do a good job of killing germs. It's not a bad idea to do this regularly with a wooden cutting board. If the joints have separated, food will get trapped in the joints no matter what you do. EDIT 6-JUL: No varnish, but I like Richard's suggestion regarding food-grade mineral oil.

Answer 4

Scrubbing it with coarse salt and hot water will take out any smells. Soaking it will build up mold. If you want to oil it down after cleaning it, use an oil you would use in cooking.

Answer 5

There must be several scratches in the surface.

You can use sandpaper to get the scratches out. I suggest 100 grit sandpaper and a sanding block or palm sander (if you have one). Just sanding down through the bottom of the scratches.
Sanding block or palm sander, sand long strokes in the direction of the wood grain
Then use a finer grit sandpaper such as 220 grit to bring out the grain of the wood again.
This should get rid of the smell for awhile, till it is scratched up alot, again.

Here is a link that has informaion for maintenance and care for butcher blocks.
http://www.mapleblock.com/detail/care--maintenance-42/

Answer 6

I have wooden cutting boards that build in my cabinets. I use lemon juice. I was mine with dawn w/bleach and then rub a little lemon juice and wipe down. Haven't died yet. They smell great. Sometimes I even use Cloxox with bleach wipes.

Answer 7

wash with hot soapy water rinse spray Clorox clean up. you can use olive oil to treat but the best is BOOS MYSTERY OIL . you might have to order it It is made for wood cutting board's. it is not recommend that you use wood board for any type's of meat should use man made material for meat

Answer 8

I saw Rachel Ray clean hers with course salt one time. She scrubbed it with the salt and HOT water.

Answer 9

A dirty chopping board has more germs than a dirty toilet seat. How about that?

Answer 10

don't use soap on it . rinse with water and use a little olive oil on it to keep from drying out