Refinish a Well-Loved Wooden Cutting Board With These 4 Tips

Is your wooden cutting board looking a bit worse for the wear? With all of the slicing and dicing that goes on on your cutting boards, it’s no surprise that they need a bit of refurbishment every now and then. Use these simple tips for breathing new life into an old cutting board.

  1. First, disinfect your cutting board (especially ones that you use to cut meat) by diluting one teaspoon of bleach in two quarts of water. Dip a scrub brush in the solution and scrub the cutting board in small circles, and then wipe the surface with a damp paper towel and buff dry with a cotton cloth.
  2. Next, buff out any deep cuts using a very fine grade sandpaper. You may even want to choose two types of sandpaper so that you can buff out the cuts with one, and then smooth the surface with the other. Don’t leave behind any scratches, as these can collect bacteria.
  3. Condition your cutting board with mineral oil on a soft cloth. Don’t use vegetable or olive oils, as these can turn rancid with exposure. Buff the oil into the board using a thin rag, and make a note to retreat the board at least 3 or 4 times a year as needed.
  4. Once your cutting board is clean, keep it fresh after each use by cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it all over.

How to Clean a Cutting Board: 7 Effective Treatments [Reader’s Digest]
How to Restore and Maintain a Wood Cutting Board or Butcher Block [HGTV]
How To Clean, Deodorize and Condition Wood Cutting Boards Naturally [Apartment Therapy]

How to Clean Using Baking Soda

From the refrigerator to the shower, it seems like there’s nothing that baking soda can’t freshen up. Here are just three great ways to incorporate baking soda into your cleaning routine.

  1. Freshen the fridge. This is by far the easiest way to clean with baking soda, as it really doesn’t involve any cleaning at all. Simply place an opened container of baking soda in the refrigerator, and it will naturally absorb odors and help keep your fridge smelling fresh.
  2. Unclog a drain. Measure 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar, then pour each down the drain separately. They will immediately create a bubbling effect and help clear up a clogged drain.
  3. Remove spots on your walls. If you have scratches and marks on your light-colored walls, mix baking soda and water to create a solution that will remove them with ease. Simply soak up the solution with a soft cloth and get to scrubbing.

21 Cleaning Problems You Can Solve With Baking Soda [Good Housekeeping]
Clean Your Whole House with Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemon [Earth 911]
Top 10 Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda! [Clean My Space]