How to do a Deep Clean on a Wood Cutting Board to Remove Stains and Odor

Sometimes a cutting board develops a stain or takes on an odor. Here are some “deep cleaning” options that can be useful in restoring your wood cutting board.

First, be sure the board is cleaned using the care and maintenance cleaning instructions of your wood cutting board:

Using a scraper or paper towel wipe off all food prep particles into the sink or garbage, then hold the board under warm running water, wetting down the entire surface, front and back.

Give a small squirt of dish soap on the dirty, wet, board surface, then gently scrub the board clean, using a sponge/scrubby, being sure to go over/scrub the entire board area. Once you have all debris cleaned off, hold the board under the warm running water again, rinsing off all soap and suds, rinsing both sides, front and back.

Option 1: Lemon and coarse salt

1. Sprinkle or spread a handful of coarse salt over the entire board surface that contains the Stain and/or odor.

   
   

2. Take a whole lemon and cut it in half. Use one of the lemon halves as a scrub brush, squeezing out the lemon juice while rubbing the lemon onto the salt covered board surface, again, treating the lemon half as though it were a scrub brush. The lemon juice mixed with the coarse salt, being pushed into the wood surface, will work to pull out any odors, making the board smell lemon fresh. Scrub the lemon across not only the cutting surface, but along the board edges as well. After “scrubbing” in this lemon juice/salt mixture, Let it stand for 5 to 15 minutes.

   
   

3. Scrape all the excess salt and lemon juice off, into the sink, and thoroughly rinse off the entire board. Dry the board using the same process for everyday cleaning.

Option 2: Lemon and baking soda

1. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire board surface that contains the stain and/or odor.

   
   

2. Take a whole lemon and cut it in half. Use one of the lemon halves as a scrub brush, squeezing out the lemon juice while rubbing the lemon onto baking soda covered board surface, again, treating the lemon half as though it were a scrub brush. The lemon juice mixed with the baking soda will work to pull out any odors, as well as helping to pull up any stains. The lemon juice will also act as a natural disinfectant. Scrub the lemon across not only the cutting surface, but along the board edges as well.

   
   

3. After “scrubbing” in this lemon juice/baking soda mixture, take a hot wet towel and wipe off all the baking soda residue. You may need to rinse the towel out and rewipe the board a couple of times, to get all the baking soda off.

   
   

4. Dry the board using the same process for everyday cleaning.

Apply Ledge Rock Wood Balm

After the board is totally dry, apply a rubbed on coat of Ledge Rock Wood Balm. Ledge Rock Wood Balm is easy to apply and works wonders on any of our wood products. It revitalizes dry, thirsty wood and helps restore its natural color and luster.