How to Clean a Plastic Cutting Board

(533 Words)
After cutting meats and other food products on a plastic cutting board, bacteria are left behind on plastic cutting boards. Moreover, according to research cited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, plastic cutting boards are less safe than wood cutting boards. If not properly cleaned, food contamination from bacteria on cutting boards pose a potential health risks such as stomach ailments to households. It is very important to clean a cutting board after each use, and you can use a variety of techniques to do so.
One advantage of plastic cutting boards is that they are usually washable in the dishwasher. This can be a good way to clean these boards and should be done often. Additionally, according to Dean Oliver of the University of California-Davis, manually disinfecting plastic cutting boards that already have cuts in them is “impossible” via hot water, liquid dish-washing detergent and a sponge per research. If possible, and if available, read the exact directions that come with the cutting board to see what is recommended. Measure to follow these directions.
Alternatives to dish soap are viable per Reader’s Digest. Furthermore, baking soda can be used to help clean plastic cutting board by taking one tablespoon of baking soda admixing it with the same amount of salt and water. This will form a paste, which you can then use to scrub the plastic cutting board. Use hot water to rinse it off, making sure that all of the solution is gone.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to kill the bacteria on your cutting board says Science News. First, you can wipe the board with a paper towel that has vinegar on it. Take another paper towel and put 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on it. You should then wipe the cutting board with the towel with the peroxide. Once you are done use a clean sponge to wipe it once more so that the hydrogen peroxide is gone.
Many cutting boards accumulate odors. You can help deodorize is with the lemon. Cut a lemon in half. Rub the open half all over it.You can also get lemon juice and put this over the cutting board to help as well.
Diluted unscented bleach can also be used to help sanitize a cutting board according to the Department of Agriculture. Mix a tablespoon of bleach with each gallon of water, or reduce proportionally. You can then get a brush and use this to scrub the cutting board. Make little circles until you have covered the entire cutting board. Once you have finished give the cutting board a thorough rinse with hot water to make sure that all of the bleach is gone.
The Food Network claims salt is useful when attempting to removes stains from a cutting board. To do this sprinkle the salt on the cutting board when it is dry, then take a wet cloth and use this to rub the board clean.
There are many different techniques you can use to clean a plastic cutting board. Not all of these provide the same effects, and it is always best to wash it in the dishwasher. Clean it after each use since it only takes one time for a contamination.