Every month, I give my wooden cutting boards a deep clean using just lemon, salt, and some scrubbing. Here’s how you can do it too—it’s simple and works great!
I learned this years ago while working in a community kitchen with a big butcher block prep table. We wiped it down daily, and it looked clean—but once a week, we cleaned it with salt and lemon, and it made a big difference. I could tell because every time, I scraped off a gray, dirty sludge, even though the kitchen was already very clean.
The steps are easy. You don’t even need a fresh lemon — one that’s already been mostly squeezed works fine and is a good way to avoid waste. I’ve also heard that adding baking soda can help make the boards smell fresher. Has anyone tried that?
How to Clean Wooden Cutting Boards Using Lemon and Salt
What You’ll Need
- Half of a lemon
- Coarse salt
- Bench scraper
- Warm waterSponge or cloth
Step-by-Step Guide
- Sprinkle some coarse salt on the cutting board.
- Scrub the board with a lemon half, cut side down. Press a little to let the juice out while you scrub.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes, then use a scraper to push the dirty gray liquid into a small bowl and throw it away.
- Rinse the board one last time using a clean, wet sponge.
