Plastic cutting boards are convenient to use as they can withstand heavier force compared to wooden cutting boards, bamboo cutting boards, or glass cutting boards. Most plastic cutting boards include a anti-slip silicone or rubber edge to keep the cutting board stable during chopping, but these edges may harbor bacteria and mold.
In this article, we'll present ways you can clean your plastic cutting board, and remove stains that may have accumulated over time. Bacteria easily latch onto plastics, and thrive in the moist material, so disinfection is a must for any plastic cutting board.
How to Clean Plastic Cutting Board
For a step-by-step guide in cleaning your wood cutting board, check out our article on How to Clean and Maintain a Wooden Cutting Board.
What You'll Need
- Half a lemon
- Fine and coarse salt
- Dish soap
Step 1: Slice the Lemon
Slice the lemon in half - you'll only need half a lemon to clean your cutting board! Squeeze the juice over your cutting board, and let the lemon juice seep into the grooves and notches created when your kitchen knife cuts. Lemon juice is a mild solution that gets rid of smells and stains, and is safe enough to use on both plastic and wood cutting boards.
Step 2: Apply Salt and Dish Soap
Add a few drops of dish soap, and your mixture of fine and coarse salt. Using a mix of fine and coarse table salt helps create a versatile abrasive action that can scrub out dirt from deep within the nicks of your cutting board. The dish soap helps to clean plastic cutting boards as well. Make sure to apply dish detergent and salt on the anti-slip edges as well.
Step 3: Scrub, Scrub, Scrub!
Use the rind of the lemon as a scrubber, and scrub, scrub, scrub! Scrub out the dirt and grime from your cutting board, going all over the entire surface, and replenishing the salt as needed. Rinse and dry your cutting board afterwards to prevent mold and bacteria from thriving.
How to Remove Stains from a Plastic Cutting Board
Similar to a wooden cutting board or a bamboo cutting board, your plastic cutting board can be cleaned with a baking soda and vinegar solution. These ingredients are accessible and inexpensive, yet they provide as much cleaning power as commercial solutions!
What You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
Step 1: Sprinkle Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda all over the cutting board. Focus on cutting board stains, and any black spots that you notice on your board. Apply a generous amount of the soda to ensure you reach through every nook and cranny of your plastic boards.
Step 2: Add Vinegar
Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle, mix well together, and get to spraying! Let the solution bubble as the baking soda and vinegar react with each other. This reaction will help remove stains. Alternatively, you can also create a baking soda paste with vinegar to spot-clean plastic cutting boards.
Step 3: Let it Sit, Then Scrub
Let the solution sit for 15 minutes, then take your scrub brush, and start scrubbing away at the stained area. You may notice the stains easily lift off the board. If there are any remaining stains, re-apply the baking soda and vinegar solution. Rinse and dry the board afterwards.
How to Disinfect Plastic Cutting Boards
A plastic cutting board can host a myriad of bacteria strains and viruses that could make you sick. Bacteria such as E. coli (Escherichia coli) can be found in raw meat, as well as unwashed vegetables, and can fester in your plastic or wooden cutting boards, ready to infect your family. Disinfecting your cutting board is a must for sanitary food preparations.
What You'll Need
- 3% Hydrogen peroxide
- Spray bottle
How to Disinfect Plastic Cutting Boards
To disinfect your cutting board, use a solution of pure hydrogen peroxide at a 3% concentration, which is found in most drugstores. At 3% concentration, hydrogen peroxide is harmless, and can even be used as mouthwash. However, it is powerful enough to sanitize your plastic cutting board, as the solution is also used to disinfect wounds.
Place hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, and liberally spray the solution over your plastic cutting boards. It is better to allow the cutting board to dry before you disinfect it. This will allow the solution to work at full strength instead of diluting it with leftover moisture. Let the cutting board air dry, then store in a cool, dry location.
Clean Up Your Kitchen
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