how to clean a granite cutting board

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you cant clean your board right after preparing food, just leave it on your counter until you can get to it. Allow the plastic wrap to remain in place for at least one day. Influence-free. If you're looking for a golden idea, you're in luck. However, this doesn't consider that plastic cutting boards are more susceptible to scrapes. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Reset your password. The best way to clean a wooden cutting board is to scrape off all food residues with a steel scraper or spatula. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You use it each and every day, but are you maintaining it properly? Everyday cleaning usually takes only a minute or two, as do oiling and waxing the board (which youll need to do about once a month, depending on the type of wood and the climate you live in). wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Free shipping for many products! Leave your cutting board soaking in water. Hydrogen Peroxide: Banish unwanted bacteria from any cutting board by wiping it down on each side with a paper towel soaked in hydrogen peroxide. 7. 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. However, if your flooring has tiles, there are a few steps to take to ensure that the grout lines and tiles remain equally clean. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. If you follow these tips, your board will last through years of use. Read to see what we recommend. However, this method dried out and discolored the wood boards in our tests, so we dont recommend it. Instead, use a cutting board to protect the surface. #8: John Boos Mystery Oil, made for butcher blocks, countertops and cutting boards. 2. The heavy duty design provides a durable surface to slice, chop and prep fruit and vegetables. Try not rubbing or spreading with the cloth but instead try blotting and then wiping it off. Allow the mixture to remain on the stain for 24 hours. on 24th Feb 2014. Then let the board air-dry, and wipe it down with mineral oil or vegetable oil. Rub mineral oil onto the board with a paper towel. "If only one side is oiled, the board may cup," says Cook. 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. Performing daily and weekly cleaning of granite ensures that it stands the test of time while keeping its natural shine and beauty. If there is, you cant use it because the acid will wear away the granite. Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution. Once a month is a good place to start, but theres no harm in oiling your board whenever it looks thirsty. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. In addition to allowing the wood to dry fully, oxygen is a good sanitizer. Do not apply overly dipped cloth in water for the risk of leaving water spots. Not only that, but it makes deep cleaning easier and more efficient. Mineral oil is also inexpensive and easy to find at most hardware stores. Or you can make one yourself at your pace at home! To protect granite countertops, always use coasters for drink placement to avoid water stains. Weiman makes a non-toxic granite and stone cleaner that is pH balanced. Also, prevent thermal shock by using a protective mat or trivet. According to Allison Samuels, founder of Two Trees Studios, mildew tends to collect on the very perimeter of the board, which is where youve been standing it up to dry. If you really want to salvage your board, the pros recommend contacting a professional woodworker for advice or, if youre up for a project, sanding off the mildew. Mix the baking soda with water instead of hydrogen peroxide for oil-based stains. Avoid cutting directly on the countertop. "It gives a protective top layer to the wood surface against foods and liquids and helps keep the water out and the oil in," she says. It is also bacteria-resistant, which makes it an ideal material for the kitchen. Step 1: Wash the Cutting Board Regularly Even if you're using your wood cutting board just to slice bread, it's a good habit to wash it after every use as quickly as possible. 9. Its important to know what to use and what not to use while cleaning a granite countertop or floor. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The catch: It needs to be done daily, especially if you're pulling double duty and using your counter as a cutting board. It's easy to clean and provides a hygienic surface for your food preparation. If you have a method that works well, or particular oils or waxes you prefer, keep using them. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. Even the acidic nature of distilled white vinegar and lemon juice can dull the finish of granite over time. Every few months, disinfect your wood cutting board with a solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. These solutions work to disinfect the board because vinegar has a low pH and bleach has a high pH, both of which will kill bacteria and germs, as they can only live within certain pH conditions. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to. The finish may become slippery and cause falls. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023. There are plenty of DIY YouTube demos on repairing warped boards (some of which weve tested), but ultimately we found them to be very hit or miss. References. Clean the floor of any sand and dust by sweeping away the debris with a dust mop. These Are the 10 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together, Experts Say. Bleach: Mix 2 tsp. Granite floors should be swept or dust mopped daily to remove grit and loose soil which can scratch the finish. You can also use warm water and 2 teaspoons of dishwashing soap if you dont have any granite-specific cleaner around, but a special granite cleaner is designed to keep granite healthy during a deep clean. Rub the oily cloth in circular motions across the entire surface of the granite. By using our site, you agree to our. Allow the liquid to sit on the surface of the granite for about one minute to disinfect the counter. Learn how to clean granite countertops, floors, and other granite surfaces to remove dirt and stains. Pour a generous dose of white vinegar onto a clean dish towel. For more cleaning power, use a lemon half to scrub the abrasive baking soda or salt. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Avoid using any abrasive materials on granite. #7: Our exclusive all-in-one cutting board maintenance kit, with mineral oil, wood wax and applicator cloth. In some situations, you may not even need to wash it. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Use a dry cloth to buff the counter using the same actions to bring out the shine. A mild soapy solution is one of the best ways to clean granite to remove everyday dirt. There are many ways to clean your granite board naturally. Plastic and glass boards can go in the dishwasher. There are many ways to condition a cutting board. If a little bit of the stain remains, you can repeat the treatment. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This deeply gouged cutting board needs to be sanded. Reliable and Scientific Tips for Cleaning with Vinegar, NSF, 2021, Donald W. Schaffner, PhD, extension specialist in food science and distinguished professor at Rutgers University, email interview, January 14, 2021, William LaRue, Master Craftsman at LaRue Woodworking, phone interview, January 8, 2021, David Mobley, long-time member of the Northeastern Woodworkers Association (NWA), email interview, January 20, 2021, Jeremy Cox, full-time faculty in the Fine Woodworking Program at Red Rocks Community College, phone interview, January 21, 2021, Allison Samuels, founder of Two Trees Studios, phone interview, January 21, 2021, Bob Flexner, Rules for Sanding Wood, Popular Woodworking, January 4, 2019. You should use gentle washing detergent to dampen the cloth to clean the kitchen counter and not abrasive or harsh cleaners. Harsh cleaning chemicals are unnecessary when it comes to washing granite. If there are any stubborn stains, you can create a slurry of baking soda and water and gently rub the mixture onto the board using a Scotch-Brite sponge. But these handy kitchen helpers require a little TLC in order to keep up appearances. Also by John Boos. 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Sources: this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. 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. After all, everyone is Irish onSt. Patrick's Day. Bamboo cutting boards are fairly popular because they have a similar look to wooden cutting boards but are less susceptible to warping, splitting, and scrapes (and hence less of a haven for bacteria). You might want to use and shift tap water to distilled water in case of mineral or chlorine contents. Alternatively, to help eliminate odors, you can spritz the surface of a board with a solution of 25% distilled white vinegar and 75% water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then give it a good rinse. Certain foods in particular - acids such as vinegar, citrus, and soft drinks - will leave etches in granite. Easy to clean and maintain with thorough hand-washing. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 3. Whatever you do, be sure to bake a loaf of soda bread for the tableand end the meal on a sweet note with one of our dessert recipes just right for the holiday. If they start to give off an odor when wet, it might be time to replace your composite cutting board. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Wood naturally dries out after frequent washings, so you need to oil and wax it to prevent it from becoming brittle and cracking. Granite countertops in a kitchen should be cleaned after each session of food preparation or at least daily to remove spills, splatters, and food residue. Did you know granite comes in different densities? Mildew usually results from inadequate drying before storing. Vinegar also works great for cleaning gunk off of outdoor tools. Puppies are irresistible. Spray the cleaning solution onto the granite countertop, covering roughly 2 square feet of counter area. Liberally sprinkle baking soda or coarse salt onto the stained surface.