How To Sanitize Your Cutting Board: A Complete Guide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases each year in the United States. Cutting boards, which is highly relevant to the sanitization of food, come into contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and vegetables, which can carry pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These pathogens can transfer to other foods or surfaces if the cutting board is not sanitized after each use, leading to foodborne illnesses. Therefore, sanitizing your cutting board in right way can kill or reduce the number of bacteria and germs on it, making it safer for your health and your family's health. In this article, we will show you how to sanitize your cutting board using different methods, such as hot water, vinegar, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.

Here are different methods to sanitize your cutting board, depending on the type of material and the level of contamination. Some common methods are:

Hot Water and Soap (Suitable for cutting board made of plastic, glass, or metal)

• Rinse cutting board with hot water to remove any food particles or debris.

• Scrub cutting board with a sponge or a brush and some dish soap to remove any grease or dirt.

• Rinse cutting board again with hot water to wash off the soap.

• Dry cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or air-dry it on a rack.

Vinegar (Suitable for cutting board made of wood or bamboo)

• Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar, or dilute it with water if you prefer a milder solution.

• Spray cutting board with the vinegar solution, covering all the surfaces and edges.

• Let the vinegar sit on your cutting board for at least 10 minutes, or longer if it is heavily soiled.

• Wipe cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or rinse it with water if you want to remove the vinegar smell.

• Dry cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or air-dry it on a rack.

Hydrogen Peroxide (Suitable for all kind of cutting board)

• Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide, or dilute it with water if you prefer a milder solution.

• Spray cutting board with the hydrogen peroxide solution, covering all the surfaces and edges.

• Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on your cutting board for at least 10 minutes, or longer if it is heavily soiled.

• Wipe cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or rinse it with water if you want to remove the hydrogen peroxide residue.

• Dry cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or air-dry it on a rack.

  
  

Baking Soda (Especially suitable for cutting board made of wood or bamboo)

• Sprinkle some baking soda on cutting board, covering all the surfaces and edges.

• Rub cutting board with a damp cloth or sponge, creating a paste with the baking soda.

• Let the baking soda sit on the cutting board for at least 10 minutes, or longer if it is heavily stained or smelly.

• Rinse cutting board with water to wash off the baking soda.

• Dry cutting board with a clean cloth or paper towel, or air-dry it on a rack.

After sanitizing your cutting board, you need to store it properly to prevent it from getting dirty or contaminated again. Some tips for storing your cutting board safely are:

• Make sure that cutting board is completely dry before storing it, as moisture can promote bacterial growth and mold formation.

• Store the cutting board in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.

• Store the cutting board flat or upright, but not stacked with other cutting boards or utensils, as they can scratch or damage each other.