How to get smells out of wooden cutting board? 5 easy tips
Are you tired of your wooden cutting board retaining strong odors from garlic, onions, or other pungent ingredients? Don’t worry, Chef Studio will share with you some simple and effective ways how to get smells out of wooden cutting boards and keep your cutting board fresh and odor-free.
Why does a wooden cutting board smell bad?
Wooden cutting boards can develop unpleasant odors over time, especially when they come into contact with strong-smelling foods like onions. Before learning how to get smells out of wooden cutting board, let’s find out why wooden cutting board smells bad:
- Absorption of odors: Wood is porous, which means it can absorb liquids and odors from the foods it comes into contact with. When you chop onions or other aromatic ingredients on a wooden cutting board, the odorous compounds can seep into the wood fibers, causing the board to retain those smells.
- Residual food particles: Even after cleaning, small food particles can get trapped in the tiny crevices of a wooden cutting board. These particles can decompose over time, leading to unpleasant odors emanating from the board.
- Moisture retention: Wooden cutting boards can absorb moisture from foods, which creates a conducive environment for bacteria to thrive. Bacteria growth can contribute to foul odors on the surface of the cutting board.
- Natural wood oils: Some types of wood, such as acacia or teak, contain natural oils that can become rancid over time if not properly maintained. Rancid oils can produce unpleasant smells on the cutting board.
How to get smells out of wooden cutting boards?
Removing onion smell from wooden cutting board
If you’ve ever chopped onions or garlic on a wooden cutting board, you know how stubborn the smell can be. Even after washing, the odor seems to linger. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for removing onion smell from wooden cutting board and keeping it fresh and odor-free.
Baking soda paste
The first way how to get smells out of wooden cutting board is to create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing properties and can help neutralize the onion or garlic smell.
All you need is to apply the paste to the surface of the cutting board and scrub it with a sponge or brush. Then, let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Lemon and salt scrub
Another way to remove the bad smell from the cutting board is to cut a lemon in half and sprinkle salt over the exposed flesh.
First, use the lemon halves to scrub the surface of the cutting board, squeezing gently to release the juice as you go. The acidity of the lemon combined with the abrasive texture of the salt helps to lift away wooden cutting board smells. Afterward, you have to rinse the board with warm water to finish the cleaning process.
Coffee grounds
Moreover, you can treat smelly wooden cutting boards with coffee grounds because it will help absorb and neutralize any lingering odors. Spread a thin layer of coffee grounds evenly across the cutting board’s surface and let it sit overnight. In the morning, brush or wipe away the coffee grounds and rinse the board with warm water.
Vinegar solution
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help eliminate odors. To deodorize wooden cutting board, you need to mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Next, spray the solution onto the cutting board and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub the surface with a sponge or brush, and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is highly porous and can effectively absorb odors. To remove garlic smell from wooden cutting board, you place a few pieces of activated charcoal on the surface and let them sit for several hours or overnight. Afterward, finish the cleaning process by removing the charcoal and rinse the cutting board with warm water.
By using one of these methods, you can effectively remove onion or garlic smells from your wooden cutting board and ensure that it remains fresh and odor-free for your next cooking adventure. Remember to clean and dry your cutting board thoroughly after each use to prevent odors from returning.
Read more: 10+ high-quality Teak cutting boards for sale
How to get meat/fish smells out of wooden cutting board?
Eliminating meat or fish smells from a wooden cutting board is essential to prevent cross-contamination and maintain a fresh cooking environment. Here are some effective methods to get smell out of wooden cutting board:
Baking soda
Baking soda is highly effective in absorbing odors and can aid in neutralizing unpleasant smells from wooden cutting boards after cutting meat. To do this, make a paste by combining baking soda with water. Then, apply the paste onto the surface of the wooden cutting board and scrub it thoroughly using a sponge or brush.
White vinegar
The second way how to get smells out of wooden cutting board after meat is to mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the cutting board and let it sit for a few minutes. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and disinfectant that can help eliminate unpleasant smells.
Lemon and salt
If your wood cutting board smells rancid after meat, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle salt on one of the halves. Use the salted lemon to scrub the cutting board vigorously. The acidity of the lemon combined with the abrasiveness of the salt will help break down and remove any lingering odors of the fish and meat.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide acts as a potent disinfectant, effectively deodorizing wooden cutting boards and leaving them fresh and clean.
To easily get meat/fish smells out of the wooden cutting board, you combine equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Then, spritz the solution onto the wooden cutting board and let it sit for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse the cutting board with water.
Sunlight
Place the cutting board in direct sunlight for a few hours, then wash it with warm, soapy water. Sunlight has natural disinfecting properties and can help eliminate bacteria and wooden cutting board smells.
After using any of these methods, be sure to rinse the cutting board thoroughly with water and allow it to dry completely before using it again.
In conclusion, eliminating odors from wooden cutting boards is a manageable task with several effective methods. Knowing how to get smells out of wooden cutting boards will help you maintain a fresh and odor-free wooden cutting board for safe and enjoyable food preparation.
