Home Tips

5 tricks to properly clean your cutting board

By Gretel Morales - 2022-03-08T17:16:09Z
Within the home, the kitchen is one of the places where hygiene is most important, as it is where we cook a wide variety of dishes. Below, we will give you the best tips and advice to clean your kitchen in no time. In previous occasions, at kiwilimón we have discussed whether chicken should be washed before cooking, how to disinfect fruits and vegetables, and how to clean your appliances correctly; however, we still need to talk about the cutting board made of wood and plastic, a basic utensil that, if not cleaned properly, could affect our health. Before telling you how to clean the boards where you cut and chop food, you must remember that if you do not clean the sink, the refrigerator, and the cutting board, there may be bacteria such as Escherichia coli and salmonella, which cause severe illnesses. But don't worry, we will tell you how to disinfect everything correctly.You can also read: How to easily clean your air fryerMore tips to take care of your healthSince cross-contamination is very common in the kitchen, it is ideal to apply the following tips: Use a plastic board for chopping meat, chicken, or fish, but remember not to use it for cutting fruits and vegetables.A simple way to avoid cross-contamination is to use cutting boards of different colors, so you won’t get confused.It is vital that the board dries very well before storing it; otherwise, it is easier for bacteria to proliferate due to moisture.Remember that if your board has any cracks, it is time to replace it, as food residues or bacteria may accumulate.How to clean your wooden board? If you use a wooden board to cut meat, vegetables, or fruits, it is best to use it only for vegetables or fruits, as this will help avoid bad odors and cross-contamination. Here’s how to easily clean your wooden board! 1. Wash the board with vinegarVinegar is an excellent alternative for cleaning, as it does not contain chemicals or harmful substances. For your wooden boards, all you need to do is mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with one cup of water, soak the board for about 5 minutes, wash with soap and water, and let it dry very well. 2. Lemon and salt to get rid of bad odors If you want your wooden board to be spotless and free of bad odors, you only need two ingredients: salt and lemon juice. Instructions Sprinkle some salt over the wooden board; sea salt can be used.Cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub the board very well.Let it sit for about 5 minutes, rinse very well, and let it dry.3. Clean the board with bleach If you use a wooden board to chop raw chicken or meat, it is important to disinfect it thoroughly. However, remember that you should use bleach in small amounts and it must always be diluted. Instructions Dilute one teaspoon of bleach in 2.5 liters of water.Soak the wooden board for a couple of minutes.Remove from the bleach water, wash with soap, and rinse very well.Dry with a clean cloth and wait for it to dry completely before storing it.You can also read: How to clean the blender with vinegar and other ingredientsHow to clean your plastic board?If you use a plastic board to cut all kinds of ingredients, remember that it is best to use each one for different products; that is, it is advisable to use only one for cutting raw meat. 1. Vinegar will be your best ally Disinfecting your plastic board will be very easy, as you only need a bit of white vinegar, soap, and hot water. All you need to do is soak the board in a mixture of water with vinegar, let it soak for about 5 minutes, wash with soap, and rinse with hot water. 2. Remove stains and bad odors If your plastic board has stains and retains bad odors, here’s how to easily get rid of them. Instructions Mix ¼ cup of vinegar, ¼ cup of salt, and ¼ cup of water until a paste is formed.Apply the mixture to the board and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.Scrub the board very well and rinse with hot water.You can also read: How to thoroughly clean your microwave oven?