Guide to cleaning chopping boards

Chopping boards are staple in most kitchens but if not cleaned properly they can be breeding ground for bacteria. Checkout the following recipes for cleaning your chopping board with natural ingredients.

1. Lemon and Salt/baking soda

   1. Sprinkle coarse salt or baking soda on the board.
   2. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the board and rub the juice in with the lemon.
   3. Use a scrub brush to work the mixture on the board.
   4. Let it sit for five minutes.
   5. Rinse well with warm water and sponge.

2. Baking soda

   1. Mix baking soda, coarse salt and water in a bowl to form a paste.
   2. Apply the paste onto the board.
   3. Use a scrub brush to work the mixture on the board.
   4. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes.
   5. Rinse well with warm water and sponge.

3. Vinegar and Baking soda

   1. Sprinkle baking soda over the chopping board.
   2. Spray distilled white vinegar on to the chopping board. The vinegar and baking soda mixing should cause small bubbles forming.
   3. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
   4. Rinse with warm water and wipe with a clean cloth.

4. Hydrogen peroxide

   1. Ideal for removing bacteria from the chopping board.
   2. Soak a paper towel in hydrogen peroxide.
   3. Wipe each side of the chopping board with the paper towel.
   4. Alternatively, add hydrogen peroxide solution to a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the board until the board is saturated.
   5. Let it stand for 10 minutes.
   6. Rinse with warm water and wipe with a clean cloth.

5. Bleach

   1. Mix 2 tsp of bleach with 1 gallon of water.
   2. Carefully soak the chopping board for 2 minutes.
   3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe with a clean cloth.

6. Tea Tree Oil

   1. Dilute one teaspoon of tea tree oil in a cup of water and pour into a spray bottle.
   2. Spray the solution directly on the board.
   3. Let it sit for an hour.
   4. Rinse the board and dry it thoroughly.

After cleaning, be sure to adequately dry the board before storing to avoid mildew formation. Wooden boards dries out after frequent washing, so you need to oil and wax it routinely to prevent the board becoming brittle and cracking.