Cleaning with salt and lemon

Cleaning wooden chopping boards is simple as all you need is two ingredients: salt and lemon.

Wash your board in hot soapy water

Step 2: Disinfect

Disinfect by sprinkling a tablespoon of course salt over your board.

Step 3: Scrub board with lemon

Using a lemon cut in half, scrub the board for a few minutes. As you scrub, squeeze the juice out of the lemon – the acid in the lemon will disinfect the board.

Using half a lemon, scrub the board for a few minutes, says Chelsea from The Organising Platform. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Step 4: Let sit for 5 mins

Let sit dampened for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse

Rinse with hot water.

Step 6: Dry chopping board

Dry your chopping board thoroughly and stand in an upright position.

Dry your chopping board and stand in an upright position. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Cleaning with bi-carb and salt

Cleaning plastic chopping boards is super simple too – all you need it some bi-carb soda and salt.

Step 1: Wash board

Wash your board in hot soapy water.

Step 2: Mix cleaning paste together

Mix together one tablespoon of bi-carb soda, one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of water to form a paste.

Mix one tablespoon each of bi-carb soda, salt and water to form a paste. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Step 3: Scrub board

Scrub your chopping board with the paste.

Step 4: Rinse and dry

Rinse thoroughly with hot water then dry board and stand in upright position.

Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Cleaning with vinegar and dish detergent

Cleaning marble chopping boards requires two kitchen staple ingredients: vinegar and dish detergent.

You just need vinegar and dish detergent to clean a marble chopping board. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Step 1: Wash board

Wash marble board in hot soapy water.

Step 2: Create a DIY cleaning mixture

Create a mixture of warm water, white vinegar and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish detergent and add into a spray bottle. Shake to combine all ingredients.

White vinegar and 2 tsp liquid dish detergent make the perfect DIY cleaning mixture for marble chopping boards. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Step 3: Spray onto board

Spray solution directly onto the marble chopping board then let sit for 3 minutes.

Step 4: Wipe down and dry

Wipe over with a damp sponge then dry your chopping board thoroughly and stand in upright position.

How often should I clean my wooden chopping board?

Wooden chopping boards require maintenance on a regular basis – use a mineral oil or beeswax on a monthly basis to prolong the lifespan of your chopping board.

Can I put wooden chopping boards in the dishwasher?

No, exposure to heat and water for an extended period of time could cause your board to warp, crack, or split.

Unfortunately you can’t put a wooden chopping board in the dishwasher. Picture: Caroline McCredie

Can I soak a wooden chopping board in water?

No, you should never let your wooden chopping board soak in water.

Can I put plastic chopping boards in the dishwasher?

Yes, plastic chopping boards are dishwasher-safe.

Can I use chopping boards for various purposes?

It is recommended that you keep a separate chopping board (or side of a chopping board) for raw meat, poultry, and seafood only. Do not cross contaminate chopping boards. Use one board for fruit and veg, one for meat and one for fish.

Ideally you should have a variety of chopping boards for different food types. Picture: Caroline McCredie

How should I care for my chopping boards?

It’s important to thoroughly dry your chopping boards by placing them upright where air can circulate. This will allow the board to dry out completely, eliminating any further bacteria that can live in moisture.