Materials (exact amounts)
- Hot water and 5 ml dish soap
- 30 g coarse salt
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 clean cloth and 1 soft brush
- 10 ml food-grade mineral oil
- Paper towel
Step by step
1.- Wash the board by hand with hot water and 5 ml of dish soap, using a soft brush on both sides. Do not soak it.
2.- Sprinkle 30 g of coarse salt on the board and rub it with half a lemon, pressing, for 2 minutes, to remove odours and stains.
3.- Let it work for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse well with hot water.
4.- Dry it with a cloth and stand it on its edge so it dries completely, for at least 1 hour.
5.- Once a month, with the board dry, spread 10 ml of food-grade mineral oil with paper towel and let it rest 4 hours or overnight. Remove the excess.
Why it works
Coarse salt acts as a gentle abrasive and lemon helps with odours, such as garlic or fish. The oil fills the wood’s pores and stops it drying out and cracking.
Safety and precautions
Do not put wooden boards in the dishwasher or leave them soaking, because they warp and crack. After cutting raw meat, clean it thoroughly with hot water and soap, and use different boards for raw and cooked food. Lemon helps with odours, but it is not a certified disinfectant.
Common mistakes and how often to repeat
Do not use olive or sunflower oil to moisturise it, because it goes rancid. Apply mineral oil every month, or sooner if the board looks pale and dry. Replace the board if it has deep cracks, where residue builds up.
You may also like: How to clean the oven with baking soda and vinegar, How to remove limescale from taps and the shower head, How to remove a red wine stain from clothes.