The Kitchen Item Many Americans Forget to Maintain Until It Starts to Smell

Many Americans do not give much thought to the amount of work and maintenance their cutting boards go through daily. From preparing fruit to chopping vegetables or preparing raw meat, there is almost no kitchen activity that does not involve a cutting board.

However, very few think about keeping their cutting boards clean and in good condition. The majority of people simply wash their cutting boards after they use them. But since some boards, especially wooden and bamboo ones, may absorb moisture and other contaminants in the process of use, there are moments when people notice that more measures need to be taken to ensure the cleanliness of a cutting board than merely washing it with warm water and soap.

A garlic or sour smell that lingers on the board is always the first indication of this. According to the USDA, cutting boards need to be washed with hot, soapy water after every use and sanitized after preparing raw meat. However, proper care is essential for maintaining cutting boards in good condition.

Why do cutting boards start to smell

Wood and bamboo cutting boards tend to dry up with time. This will lead to the formation of small cracks where water and food debris get trapped. The presence of pungent materials like onions, garlic, fish, and meat leads to lingering smells if the boards are not well dried after being washed.

It could also be a case of deep knife marks that pose a threat since the latest recommendations on food safety show that such boards can easily trap bacteria in hard-to-clean cracks.

In some cases, it is not only the lingering smell that requires your attention but the board itself.

The maintenance step that many people forget

One of the causes of the odor in wooden cutting boards is the lack of conditioning on the part of many home chefs who use them. Wooden and bamboo cutting boards must be treated with mineral oil, which prevents them from drying up and developing cracks, allowing water to get inside.

This is similar to how you care for leather and cast-iron items. Most experts advise applying mineral oil when the board is showing signs of dryness or roughness. Others suggest doing it monthly, while some might condition their board daily.
The one tip most professionals will give about conditioning your wooden cutting board is not to use olive or cooking oil because they can become rancid.

How to get rid of cutting board odors

In case the board is already smelly, you can take several measures to resolve the issue. The first step is to clean the cutting board with boiling water and dish detergent. In the case of mild smells, many people use common household ingredients such as salt and half a lemon.

However, for more stubborn smells, vinegar has been found to be helpful; however, the advice given is not to soak the wooden board, which could cause warping. More importantly, one should leave the board to air dry vertically; storing it horizontally when wet will only allow moisture to gather.

Lastly, if the board is full of cracks, warping, or it still smells after cleaning it, then it is time to consider replacement.

Small habits can make a big difference

Cutting board maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult. Wash it immediately after use. Make sure it is thoroughly dried. Apply oil when necessary. Use separate boards for vegetables and meat if you can afford it.

This can help avoid odors, prolong its life, and ensure better safety during food preparation. The neglect of the cutting board is something that’s easily overlooked, being such a simple item in the kitchen. However, just like most kitchen equipment, it works much better when it is properly cared for.

Usually, when one realizes that there is an odor coming from the cutting board, it is already overdue.