The cutting board is an indispensable utensil in any kitchen and gastronomic recipe worldwide. Its function is to provide stability on the food to be cut and to protect tables, countertops, or the surface where the food is cut, providing more accurate and safe results. However, have you ever thought about the number of microorganisms and debris that lodge in them if proper cleaning is not done? Lots of them!
Especially when used to chop raw meat, chicken, and vegetables – by the way, never do this! -. This can only lead to the dreaded cross-contamination caused by microbes traveling from one food to another restaurant have up to 6 of them, one for each type of food. Now, do you have any idea how to clean and disinfect cutting boards properly to prevent sources of bacteria harmful to your health? We show you the most recommended home methods to keep them clean and contaminant-free.
How to clean the chopping board with homemade products
Although many people prefer the chemical detergents and disinfectants commonly seen in supermarkets, the truth is that there are homemade ingredients that are ideal for eliminating microorganisms and removing bad odors, especially when it comes to raw fish!
Lemon, the grease remover par excellence
Just use the juice of 3 to 5 lemons, soak a sponge in the liquid, scrub the board for a minute, then leave for 15 minutes and rinse with plenty of warm water. You can also rub the lemon directly on the surface. Its effectiveness is because lemon is high in citric acid, which acts as an excellent natural cleanser due to its low pH and antibacterial properties.
A plus: If you have wooden boards, prevent wear and tear by coating them with a natural oil of your choice.
How to clean cutting boards with white vinegar
In addition to being recommended for salad dressings and as an ingredient in various foods, white vinegar is ideal for many domestic tasks in the home due to the acetic acid among its components. You can use it to clean wooden boards with vinegar in two ways:
- Pour white vinegar on the board and let it act for 10 minutes, after this time, scrub as usual and rinse with hot water.
- Prepare a solution with one cup of hot water, one cup of white vinegar, and one tablespoon of soap and wash the board with it.
When cleaning a plastic cutting board, pour white vinegar, let it stand for 15 minutes, cover with lemon juice and let it act for five more minutes. In the end, wash the board with lukewarm water, and that’s it!
The infallible baking soda
Another great ally is baking soda, a great option for sanitizing and disinfecting cutting boards. Its application is capable of neutralizing strong odors and preventing the appearance of mold and mildew.
- Prepare a cleanser by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda and water to form a thick paste that looks like an ointment.
- Spread this mixture on the board and allow it to act for 30 minutes.
- Squeeze a lemon on top and scrub with a sponge, soap and rinse with warm water.
- Finish with hot water and soap.
This environmentally friendly ingredient inhibits bacterial contamination and removes food residues that tend to stain the board.
How to remove black from chopping board
There’s nothing more embarrassing than seeing your cutting board covered in black spots. However, that’s not reason enough to throw it in the trash. Discover how to remove mold from the chopping board using the qualities of borax, an affordable and very effective chemical product:
- Remove mildew as much as possible by scrubbing with a brush and soap solution.
- In a basin, dissolve one cup of borax in 2 liters of water and immerse the board for a few minutes.
- Then take it out, scrub it with a brush until the mildew disappears, and rinse.
Note: If the stain is persistent, mix water and ammonia and spray the area, leave for two hours and rinse.
Finally, if you want to enjoy excellent cleanliness on your chopping boards, don’t forget that plastic ones are less healthy and don’t last as long. Also, keep an eye on the cracks and consider that harmful bacteria are inside them, so the smartest thing to do is get rid of them and buy a new one. And now it is! Apply these tricks and chop your fruits, vegetables, and meats with confidence and safety!