With the festive cooking marathon winding down, many are ready to take a break from chopping and prepping. But before we hang up our chef’s hats, it’s a smart move to give heavily utilised kitchen items like wooden chopping boards a really good going over.
Despite common misconceptions, wooden boards are just as hygienic as their plastic counterparts. In fact, they actually boast inherent anti-bacterial qualities thanks to the natural grain of the wood, which can prevent the growth of nasty bacteria.
Nonetheless, they must be meticulously cleansed between uses to prevent germs and bacteria from finding a foothold. While a brisk scrub with warm, soapy water might dispatch crumbs, getting rid of stubborn blotches and lingering scents demands a bit more elbow grease.
A TikTok clip from Cleanipedia_UK, with an audience of 50,000, divulges a straightforward method for restoring your board to pristine condition.
The account advises its followers that: “Hidden bacteria and odours can linger, but a natural clean with baking soda and lemon can refresh and sanitise your board,” reports Leicestershire Live.
According to the popular account, resurrecting your cutting board requires merely a duo of basic components – baking soda and lemon.
“Sprinkle bicarbonate soda over the surface then scrub it with half a lemon. The soda lifts the stains whilst the lemon tackles the bacteria and smells amazing,” describes the on-trend video. To cap off the process, simply wash with tepid water and dry off.
Voila – your chopping board is revitalised, spotless and at the ready for your next gastronomic venture.
Followers appear to be eager to test out this technique, with @cleanwithjen commenting: “Love this, we have a wooden chopping board and it always looks minging so will neeed to try this.”
@cleanlivingwithBecs chimed in with: “This is now the top of my to do list.”