How to Clean a Plastic Cutting Board

If you own a plastic cutting board, you know it can quickly become dirty. Considering it is used to cut food, it is essential to clean it properly. Otherwise, it can become unsanitary and dangerous to your food.

When cooking, cross-contamination can be extremely dangerous. It is easiest to clean a cutting board immediately after use with hot water, dish soap, and a brush.

Cleaning a plastic cutting board will be a bit different than cleaning other types of cutting boards. Plastic cutting boards are extremely common because they’re tough and generally cheaper than wood cutting boards.

Therefore, if you are uncertain how to clean your plastic cutting board, look at the methods listed below for help.

This method is best for removing any debris left on the surface of your cutting board.

Steps to follow:

1. Rinse your cutting board under water.
2. Apply dish soap directly to the cutting board’s surface.
3. Scrub around the soap and water with a sponge
4. Rinse once more, removing all remaining soap.
5. Then dry the surface with a dish towel.

This method is perfect for removing tough stains from your cutting board.

Follow the directions below:

1. Mix equal parts baking soda, water, and salt.
2. Evenly spread the mixture onto the stained spots of your cutting board.
3. Let the paste sit for fifteen to thirty minutes.
4. Take a sponge and scrub at the paste.
5. Rinse off your cutting board under hot water.
6. Thoroughly dry the surface with a dish towel.

Avoid using this method frequently if you have a colored cutting board, as this can cause discoloration.

This method is perfect for disinfecting your cutting board. Bleach is very harmful to consume, so make sure you wash the cutting board really well after applying bleach.

Steps to cleaning cutting board with bleach:

1. Mix 1 ½ teaspoon of bleach with 4 cups of water
2. Take a clean cloth and soak it in your bleach water (be sure to wear gloves for this stage)
3. Wipe down your cutting board a few times with your bleach water.
4. Afterward, rinse off your cutting board thoroughly in hot water until the bleach water is removed.
5. Thoroughly dry with your dish towel.

If you use bacteria-bearing foods on your cutting board frequently, use this method to kill any harmful bacteria. This will ensure no cross contamination occurs.

This method is perfect for removing any leftover bacteria that has built up on your plastic cutting board. This is quite similar to the bleach method but less abrasive.

You will need 3% hydrogen peroxide for this.

Steps to cleaning with hydrogen peroxide

1. Directly pour the hydrogen peroxide over your cutting board.
2. Allow for the cutting board to sit for about 2-4 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water.
4. Then thoroughly dry with your dish towel.

Be sure not to let your cutting board sit in the peroxide for too long. If left on too long, peroxide can cause discoloration to your cutting board.

Cleaning your cutting board seems like an annoying chore, but it is important to do. Failing to clean your plastic cutting board could result in contamination of your food. Plastic cutting boards are great because they do not dull your knives very much and are cheap. If your plastic cutting board gets too dirty, you can always replace it with a new one.

Most raw meat contains dangerous bacteria; if the cutting board isn’t cleaned before using it again, you could contaminate the next food. Depending on the exact bacteria, you could become very ill. Therefore, wiping down your cutting board between uses is essential. This is the same reason why it is so important to clean your air fryer regularly.

It would be best to clean your cutting board with soap and water after each use.

Use the disinfectant and stain-removing methods as needed to take care of staining and bacteria left behind on your cutting board.

Since plastic cutting boards can become so easily damaged, replacing them after one year of use is typically recommended.  

However, how often you replace it may vary depending on your cutting board’s thickness and quality. Therefore, be sure to replace your cutting board as needed.

Plastic cutting boards can become damaged very quickly. Typically, a damaged cutting board will flake off bits of plastic, which you may notice as you cut. When you notice bits of plastic flaking off as you cut, you know it needs to be thrown out and replaced.

Yes, depending on the thickness of your cutting board and the severity of the damages, you may be able to sand it down.

If you have determined that your cutting board is thick enough to be sanded down, you can buy a sheet of sandpaper. Once you have your sandpaper, you can begin sanding it until smooth. However, be sure not to over sand your cutting board, as this is a tricky process.

Once done, wash off your cutting board with warm soapy water to remove any leftover dust and plastic. Then thoroughly dry with your dish towel.