How To Clean Plastic Cutting Boards

One big advantage to using plastic cutting boards is that the surface is not porous like with some wooden cutting boards.

They are less maintenance as they just need to be cleaned with soap and water. They do not require maintenance such as oil or wax as like wooden cutting boards do.

Plastic cutting boards are great for cutting, fruits, vegetables, bread, raw meats and so much more. The nice thing about plastic cutting boards is that they come in a variety of colors which helps in not cross-contaminating foods.

Let’s get into the different ways that you can clean your plastic cutting boards whether they are stained, smell, or just need to be washed from use.

Best ways to clean plastic cutting boards

Cleaning plastic cutting boards can be pretty straightforward forward but we are also going to go over how to deodorize, sanitize, and remove stains.

Plastic cutting boards can last you quite a long time. Once you see the wear on the board from all of the knife marks you might want to consider getting a new one.

Handwashing your plastic cutting board is going to keep them lasting longer. Not only will they warp in shape from the heat of the dishwasher but they tend to break down a lot faster.

These steps are [reety much the same if you’re cleaning wood cutting boards.

Soap and water

The best way to clean your plastic cutting board is by washing them with mild soap and warm water. Start by rinsing off any food particles from the board.

Get my favorite soap to clean cutting boards.

Using a sponge or a dishcloth, wash the board thoroughly with soapy warm water. Make sure to wash both the front and back sides of the cutting board.

Rinse the board completely with warm water removing all of the soap from it and then allow it to air dry.

Sanitize the plastic cutting board

Vinegar is a great all-natural way to sanitize your cutting boards. It eats away at the bacteria and gives your plastic cutting board a fresh clean.

Simply pour some white vinegar over your cutting board and allow for it to sit for 1-2 minutes. Then you will want to rinse it off with warm water.

Using a mild soap wash your cutting board after sanitizing it to make sure that you have rid it of all of the bacteria.

Some people use diluted bleach to disinfect their board and that can work just the same as vinegar. I prefer to use vinegar so that I am not using chemicals on my food prep space.

Stain and smell remover

If your plastic cutting board is stained from cutting berries or cutting up greasy chicken don’t fret. You can clean your cutting boards and remove stains easily with baking soda.

Baking soda also works really well for removing odors on your cutting board. If soap and water don’t get that onion smell out of your cutting boards, baking soda will.

Sprinkle baking soda over your plastic cutting board and then sprinkle a little bit of water over it. You will notice a paste start to form. You want to spread it all over your board.

For tough stains allow for the baking soda to sit for a few minutes and then give the stained area a good scrub. If the stain is stubborn and won’t come off add some more baking soda and allow for it to sit a little bit longer.

Rinse all of the baking soda from the plastic cutting and wash well with soap and warm water and then let it air dry.