Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Why Choose Wooden Chopping Boards for Your Kitchen?
Investing in wooden chopping boards is a superb decision for any kitchen. Highly durable and often more resilient than plastic or glass alternatives, these boards are versatile tools. From mincing vegetables and carving meat to serving platters, their utility makes them a worthwhile addition.
The Hygienic Advantage of Wood
Contrary to popular belief, wooden chopping boards present a more hygienic surface for food preparation as they are less likely to harbour bacteria compared to plastic. Certain wood varieties, such as eucalyptus, possess inherent antimicrobial qualities that naturally combat bacteria. Furthermore, the porous nature of wood entraps bacteria within its structure, preventing surface contamination and reducing the risk of bacteria transferring to food.
Maintaining Your Wooden Chopping Board
Despite their hygienic advantages, wooden chopping boards still necessitate regular and thorough cleaning to maintain optimal condition.
Addressing Stains and Discoloration
Preserving the pristine appearance of wood can pose a challenge. Over time, you might notice unsightly stains and discoloration marring the surface.
Why Dishwashers are Detrimental to Wooden Boards
Avoid the temptation to place your wooden board in the dishwasher. The intense heat and moisture of dishwashers can inflict significant damage, leading to splinters and cracks. Such damage renders the board unsafe for food preparation.
Effective Natural Cleaning Method for Wooden Boards
Manual cleaning is not only safer but also more effective for wooden chopping boards. A cleaning expert has shared a simple, affordable, and natural method for tackling tough stains, costing as little as 30p.
Lemon and Salt: A Powerful Cleaning Duo
Ellie (@cleanwithell), in collaboration with Marigold and Vileda, demonstrated an easy technique for removing stains from wooden boards utilizing common household items.
Leveraging the natural acidity of lemon, which acts as a disinfectant and effectively lifts stains, Ellie employs half a lemon to restore her chopping board to a spotless state.
Step-by-Step Lemon and Salt Cleaning Guide
Steps to Clean:
- “Commence by sprinkling rock salt generously over your wooden chopping board.”
- “Next, bisect a lemon and rub the cut side firmly over the board in circular movements.”
The Science Behind Salt and Lemon
The salt functions as a mild abrasive, creating a scrub that dislodges grime and facilitates the penetration of lemon juice into stains.
Given lemon’s acidic nature, it may cause skin sensitivity. Ellie suggests wearing protective gloves, like Marigolds, to safeguard your hands.
Tackling Stubborn Stains
For more persistent stains, Ellie recommends adding “a dusting of bicarbonate of soda” and working it into the board with a microfibre cloth. The cloth’s texture aids in reaching into minor fissures and cracks.
Don’t Forget the Sides
Finally, remember to clean the board’s edges as dirt and stains can also accumulate in these areas.