Why you need to Clean Cutting Boards

It is very important to keep cutting boards clean during use. Not doing so can be extremely dangerous and cause a wide variety of stomach ailments. They should be cleaned very thoroughly and very often.
Bacterial growth
If you do not properly clean your cutting board, bacteria can grow. This bacteria can remain on the cutting board and contaminate the next item that you put on it. You may think that your cutting board is clean because it looks clean, however, you cannot see the bacteria that can cause problems. You may also think it is okay to wait and clean it occasionally, however it should be cleaned immediately.
Stomach ailments
The bacteria that grow on cutting boards can create a host of problems. Some people think that the worst case scenario is simply a little stomach upset, however food-borne illnesses can be extremely serious. Many people end up in the hospital from these every year and they can even be fatal.
Contamination of other food
A contaminated cutting board can get bacteria on food items that you would normally not worry about. For instance let’s say you cut raw meat on a cutting board and do not thoroughly wash the board. A few days later you then chop up a salad on it. You may never imagine that the salad can be contaminated, however that’s exactly what can happen.
You can also contaminate other things through dirty cutting boards. For instance, if you put the cutting board into a sink filled with water and dishes that are soaking then the bacteria can end up in that water and contaminate the other dishes.
Different ways to clean cutting boards
There are many different ways to clean a cutting board, which will depend on the type of cutting board you have. If your cutting board is washable in the dishwasher then you should clean it there. You can also use a solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach with 2 quarts of water to help clean it. Make sure to thoroughly rinse it after using this. Other methods include using baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and salt to clean and sanitize it.
It is important to clean your cutting board after each use. Contamination can occur from one use to another so it is not enough to do it on a weekly basis, or even every few days. With proper handling you will lower your chances of spreading food=borne illness because of bacteria contamination from cutting boards.