Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. #5: Exquisite American Black Walnut made by John Boos, the most famous name in cutting boards and butcher blocks. Place a cup of baking powder onto the board, and then pour a cup of white vinegar over the entire board. Add a few drops of dish soap to warm water, and use a sponge to wipe down both sides of the wooden cutting board. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Laminate, marble and stainless steel require using a disinfecting spray approved for the specific material. The USDA does suggest using a dilute solution of chlorine bleach and water to sanitize boards. If you want to use commercial cleaning products regularly because you like the fresh scent they add to your home, stay away from abrasive cleansers and products that are acidic, such as vinegar, citrus, hydrogen peroxide or bleach. For one of the easiest and best homemade cleaners for your granite floor, fill a tub or bucket with warm water and add a few squirts of mild dishwashing detergent. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Here are several things to avoid while taking care of granite surfaces. This is the method we like to use in the Wirecutter test kitchen (and you can use this technique for other wood items, including salad bowls and spoons). Never immerse a wood cutting board in water, because that can cause warping. Toss it and buy a new one. For added care, you may also rub a lemon slice over the boards surface to freshen it up and remove residue. Even with daily cleaning, countertops can become slightly sticky with grease or get some stains that require extra care. With only a few minutes of care, you can easily keep any cutting board in pristine condition for years to come, not to mention keep your prime working surface sanitary for you and your guests! #2: Awarded "Best Cutting Board" by America's test kitchen, the Proteak Model 107 teak cutting board. It's a very simple process: Wipe the board down with warm, soapy water and towel dry, says Mandy Cook of John Boos & Co., makers of heirloom-quality wooden cutting boards. Acidic foods like pickles, ketchup, and soft drinks can damage the finish. Thoroughly rinse both parts until the soap residue is gone. productslearn more about While granite doesnt stain as quickly as other materials, it still happens with certain liquids such as red wine and coffee. Also, prevent thermal shock by using a protective mat or trivet. Mildew usually results from inadequate drying before storing. Past tests at Consumer Reports have found that Claphams Beeswax Salad Bowl Finish works well on wood countertops, so it should do the trick with a wood cutting board as well. If something spills on the cutting board, you need to wipe it off immediately. If you have a reversible board, use both sides so that they wear evenly." If you have a method that works well, or particular oils or waxes you prefer, keep using them. If you choose another finish, make sure that the label explicitly states that its safe for direct contact with foodmany, if not most, wood finishing oils are not intended for contact with food. Always rinse with clean water. In the interest of protecting your knives, in addition to being a good idea in general, use a cutting board when preparing food. But wed recommend that you use a separate plastic board for meat, poultry, or seafood, and a wood board for everything else. Stand the board upright for several hours (preferably overnight) to allow the wood to absorb the oil. All Rights Reserved. Undiluted vinegar works great for cleaning butcher block countertops. You should use gentle washing detergent to dampen the cloth to clean the kitchen counter and not abrasive or harsh cleaners. Theres a lot to love about wood cutting boards: Theyre a pleasure to chop on and gentler on knife edges. The finish may become slippery and cause falls. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then give it a good rinse. Prized for its beauty, the stone is used for kitchen and bathroom vanity countertops as well as backsplashes, desktops, fireplace mantels, and even floor tiles. We also recommend creating a barrier on the surface to prevent the absorption of liquids. Drops of water leave water stains, and spilled liquids are easy to forget. Finishing with 220-grit sandpaper is probably sufficient in most cases, but theres no harm in continuing on to finer grits, like 320 or 400, if you feel so inclined. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To apply, soak a cloth in the solution, then wipe the board down thoroughly with the wet cloth. Instead, use a cutting board to protect the surface. In some situations, you may not even need to wash it. But if you like to make your own natural cleaning products, creating something safe for granite is simple. Do not allow the board to soak in the solution. While granite is extremely durable, it is a porous natural stone. Deck yourself out in green and celebrate everything Irish with our absolute favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes for brunch and dinner. Create your St. Patrick's Day menu from our selection of appetizers and main courses (we included a few drinks, too!). Put your cutting board into the dishwasher. Scrub both parts. Wood naturally dries out after frequent washings, so you need to oil and wax it to prevent it from becoming brittle and cracking. We dont recognize that sign in. This will make your granite shine like new, and has the added benefit of disinfecting it. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more decoration ideas. If you have a granite floor, make sure to place floor mats in the entryway to prevent tracking in dirt. Sand the board in the direction of the grain (for end-grain boards, pick any direction to sand and stick with it). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cleaning a granite mortar and pestle can be done quickly and easily by taking the following steps: Wash the mortar and pestle with warm water. Be sure to clean any crevices where food and bacteria may hide. If there is, you cant use it because the acid will wear away the granite. 1) Clean #6: Premium 2-1/4" thick American Maple with side handles. The short answer is no. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); For stains on your granite, make a paste with baking soda and water. While the granite handles the job of slicing and dicing, those tiny cuts build up over time. A few things you can do to extend their lifespan? Use a sponge. never soak your cutting board in water and never put it into the dish washer. Spills have to be immediately cleaned to avoid stains since granite is porous that can absorb liquid easily. For some this may sound obvious, but it's important to remember that drawn-out exposure to heat and water (like that from a dishwasher) can cause wooden cutting boards to split or warp. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. Do not use harsh cleaners such as Comet or bleach to remove stains from granite. We independently review everything we recommend. X Easy to clean and maintain with thorough hand-washing. How to Remove Stains and Scuffs From Plastic Cutting Boards, How to Protect and Refresh a Bamboo Cutting Board, When to Replace a Composite Cutting Board, Why Wooden Cutting Boards Are Better (And How To Keep Them That Way), We Tested the Best Cutting Boards Here Are Our Favorites, The 7 Best Cutting Boards for Meat, According to Our Tests, How To Clean Aluminum Pots and Pans With Items You Already Have In Your Kitchen, We Tested the Best Cutting Boards, and These 12 Deserve a Spot in Your Kitchen, 15 Simple Ways to Handle Kitchen Mess in Just Minutes, How to Clean a Keurig So It Will Run as Good as New, The Dirty Truth About Cleaning Behind Your Fridge, 5 Easy Ways to Get Stains Out of Plastic Food Storage Containers, How to Clean a Dutch Oven Cast Iron vs. Enameled Cast Iron. It could be the luck of the Irish. Use a sponge and hot, soapy water, then rinse with cold water and pat dry with a towel. However, if your flooring has tiles, there are a few steps to take to ensure that the grout lines and tiles remain equally clean. However, Samuels cautioned that you want to be sure youre sanding down enough of the wood to remove all of the mildew, otherwise it could return. Also, never use this popular product on your granite countertops. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), commercial product specifically for granite, 6 Ways To Use Baking Soda To Clean Your Pool, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. By using our site, you agree to our. Target stains and odors with a few key tips. She adds, "Stand the board on its edge until completely dry, then store flat after it's dry." Whatever you do, do not let water or juices of any kind set on a board for . "It must be oiled a minimum of every three to four weeks for the lifetime of the board," says Cook, "even if it is not in use." Allow the plastic wrap to remain in place for at least one day. This ultra-sturdy board is both beautiful and easy to clean. An abrasive sponge, like a scotch-brite sponge, will scratch your granite, so it's best to avoid using sponges like these. Quality wooden boards should last for a long time, especially if you care for them properly. Cleaning it and the frustration of the damage that might be caused is highly anxious as granite can be sensitive to the acidity of washing liquids, wine, or even vinegar products just like marbles are or many other products made out of natural stone are. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Spray generously with a natural kitchen cleaner. If your board picks up any smells from potent foods like garlic and onions, there are a couple of ways to deodorize it. #7: Our exclusive all-in-one cutting board maintenance kit, with mineral oil, wood wax and applicator cloth. Because they're non-porous they won't soak in any nasty bacteria the way a plastic cutting board might. 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