Plastic cutting boards are a staple in many kitchens. They provide an easy to clean, durable surface for all kinds of food prep. However, even high-quality plastic cutting boards can harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly. Using hydrogen peroxide is an effective way to sanitize and disinfect your plastic cutting boards.

What You'll Need

• 3% hydrogen peroxide (from any drugstore)


• Baking soda


• Dish soap


• Scrub brush or sponge


• Clean towel

View more: How to clean plastic cutting board

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Start by washing your plastic cutting board with warm soapy water. This will remove any obvious debris and dirt. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Apply hydrogen peroxide liberally across the surface of the cutting board. Make sure to coat the entire board.

3. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the hydrogen peroxide. The baking soda will help scrub away tough stains.

4. Allow the mixture to sit on the cutting board for at least 5 minutes. This gives the hydrogen peroxide time to work its disinfecting magic.

5. Scrub the cutting board vigorously with a scrub brush or sponge. Pay close attention to stained or discolored areas.

6. Rinse the cutting board thoroughly with clean water. Make sure to rinse away all of the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture.

7. Wash the cutting board with warm soapy water. This removes any leftover residue. Rinse and dry completely with a clean towel.

Tips

• Only use 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore. Higher concentrations can damage your cutting board.


• Do not let the hydrogen peroxide sit for longer than 10 minutes. This can warp or discolor the plastic.


• Make sure to rinse very thoroughly after cleaning. Residual peroxide can taint food flavors.


• Allow cutting board to dry completely before storing or re-using.

Read more: How do you clean a discolored plastic cutting board

The Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an ideal choice for sanitizing plastic cutting boards. Here's why:

• It kills harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.


• It breaks down into water, leaving no chemical residues.


• It whitens and brightens stained or discolored boards.


• It's inexpensive and readily available.

Maintaining Your Plastic Cutting Boards

To keep your plastic cutting boards in top shape:

• Clean after every use, especially when working with raw meat.


• Sanitize weekly using hydrogen peroxide.


• Avoid excessive scrapes that can harbor bacteria. Use a sharp knife with a smooth blade.


• Replace heavily worn or damaged boards.


• Never use plastic boards for hot pans. The heat can warp and melt the plastic.

By regularly cleaning and sanitizing with hydrogen peroxide, you can keep your plastic cutting boards fresh, bacteria-free, and ready for meal prep!

How Often Should You Clean Your Cutting Boards?

To keep your cutting boards safe for food preparation, you should aim to clean them:

• After each use: Give cutting boards a quick clean after prepping produce, meat, poultry, fish, etc. This prevents cross-contamination.


• Between tasks: Clean cutting boards if switching between raw meat and ready-to-eat foods. Again, this hinders cross-contamination.


• At least once a day: Give boards a thorough cleaning at the end of the day to remove all debris, oils, juices, etc.


• After working with raw meat: Disinfect cutting boards that held raw meat. Use a sanitizer like bleach, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide.


• When they look dirty: Don't let cutting boards get overly messy. Clean as needed even if you haven't used them in a while.


• Weekly: Sanitize all your boards weekly for a deeper clean.


• Before first use: Wash new boards before the initial use to remove manufacturing residues.


• When odors develop: Clean cutting boards that start to smell sour or unpleasant. Odors indicate bacterial growth.


• After contact with dangerous foods: Disinfect boards exposed to raw eggs, meat, fish, etc. Don't take risks with dangerous bacteria.

Read more: How do you degrease a plastic cutting board

By giving your cutting boards a regular cleaning regimen, you'll keep them free of contamination. This makes them safer for you, your family, and any guests eating your delicious creations. Don't take risks with foodborne illnesses – keep those boards clean!