Clean wooden cutting board - how?

Sturdy wooden cutting boards are durable and faithful companions in the kitchen. In contrast to plastic cutting boards, they are not only particularly hygienic, but their relatively soft material also protects the knife blades. But in order for them to last, you need to oil and maintain your cutting boards - and do it regularly. Of course, wooden cutting boards should not be cleaned in the dishwasher, but I would like to give you tips and tricks for the treatment of cutting boards so that you can enjoy your kitchen utensils made of oak, walnut, etc. for a long time (if not for a lifetime).

Content - the right cleaning

1. Tips and tricks for caring for cutting boards
2. Which oil should I use for my cutting boards?
3. How often should I oil my cutting boards?
4. Oiling the cutting boards - a wellness treatment in 3 steps
5. Gentle Consistent Cleaning
6. Deep cleaning
7. what oil
8. Are wooden cutting boards hygienic?

1. Oil Cutting Boards - Tips and Tricks

Still not sure why you need to oil and condition your cutting boards? Wood is a very durable material, but it is also a material that is often subject to the destructive effects of time. Especially if you use your boards very often, they can dry out and become brittle, cracked or warped. Of course we want to avoid that at all costs, because wooden boards - in contrast to plastic boards - have a completely justified price. Treating your boards with oil will keep them shiny for a long time. It also seals the surface and prevents bacteria, dirt and paint from penetrating the wood.

2. Which oil should I use for my cutting boards?

You don't need special wood oil to lubricate your cutting boards. You can safely use vegetable oils from the supermarket. However, make sure that the oil is odorless and tasteless and food safe. Also, you should keep in mind that vegetable oils have different properties, which I will explain in more detail below:

Olive oil : Unfortunately, it is only conditionally suitable for the cutting board - in contrast to other oils, it does not dry out. If you use your board every day, it's not a big problem. However, if you only use your cutting board occasionally, there is a risk that the oil will spoil and leave a bad smell. For this reason we recommend it only to a limited extent for lubrication.
Sunflower oil/rapeseed oil: These oils are so-called semi-dry oils and therefore dry better than olive oil, but unfortunately not completely. For this reason, like olive oil, we recommend it more for frequent use on the cutting board. Your advantage is that sunflower and rapeseed oil are particularly odorless and tasteless.
Linseed Oil/Nut Oil : These oils fully cure and completely seal the surface of the wood. They are therefore very suitable for impregnation. The only downside is that linseed and nut oils dry completely within 1-2 weeks. However, your boards are then particularly well protected. If you suffer from a nut allergy, you should definitely use linseed oil.

3. How often should I oil my cutting boards?

Don't worry, you don't need to oil your board every week. Depending on how often you use it, it is advisable to give your cutting boards a thorough maintenance every 2-4 months. In the meantime, it is sufficient to clean them after each use under running, hot water (for fruit and vegetables) or running, hot water and a mild detergent (for meat, fish and other animal products) and a sponge or brush.

4. Oiling the cutting boards - a wellness treatment in 3 steps

To ensure that the wooden cutting board stays in the kitchen for a long time, you should clean it thoroughly after each use. We recommend thorough cleaning with warm water and a mild detergent (see above). But this gentle cleaning should also be the first step when oiling the cutting boards. Before the next step (deep cleaning) allow the plates to air dry, e.g. B. by leaning it against a wall.

5. Gentle Consistent Cleaning

When cleaning, however, it should be noted that when you clean the wooden cutting board, you should never immerse the object in water or even soak it, otherwise it may warp and deform. You should also keep your hands away from strong detergents and cleaning agents.

6. Deep cleaning

Thorough cleaning with lemon juice and salt eliminates unpleasant odours.

The next step in cleaning the wooden cutting board is a deep cleaning with lemon juice and sea salt. This optimally eliminates unpleasant odors. Rub the board with half a lemon and sprinkle with sea salt. Leave it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing the board thoroughly under running water. The board should then be completely dry before painting it with oil.

7. Which oil

Coat the cutting board with linseed oil.

As mentioned earlier, regular oiling prevents bacteria from entering the wood and causing cracks.

Here is a list of the products you need:

oil (see above)
soft, clean cloth or normal kitchen paper

And that is how it works:

Start with a well-cleaned wooden board. The wooden board should be completely dry.
Using a clean, soft cloth or kitchen paper, apply the oil to the wooden board in an even layer - until the wood looks saturated.
Leave the oil on for 30 minutes and then wipe off the excess oil with a cloth.
The panel should dry in 1-2 days (olive, sunflower and canola oils) to 1-2 weeks (linseed and nut oils).
If the wooden board is still sticky or oily after drying, remove the remaining oil with a clean, dry cloth (paper towel).

Additional tips

Under certain circumstances and on rare occasions, fabrics soaked in linseed oil can self-ignite when exposed to air. Therefore, rinse the used cloth immediately and thoroughly with detergent and put it in the washing machine.

8. Are wooden chopping boards hygienic?

Cutting boards are actually very hygienic. This is because the wood has an antibacterial effect. It is provided with natural tannic acid (also called tannins), which has a bactericidal effect. The tannins are released with each new cut in the board, so that bacteria have no opportunity to settle in the wood. The situation is different with plastic plates, where bacteria often find a good breeding ground in the grooves.

For this reason, it is worthwhile cleaning the wooden cutting board - regularly.