It often happens that after cutting meat, garlic or onions on the board, despite thorough washing, an unpleasant smell still remains. Fortunately, we can easily deal with this problem with just salt, a cloth and an iron. Learn this simple trick and enjoy the freshness of your cutting board.

Different types of products land on the cutting board, so it is saturated with many smells, which still remain on it despite washing. If you still smell an unpleasant aroma after washing under running water or in the dishwasher, it is worth trying a simple and quick trick that will help you get rid of the smell and freshen up the cutting board. We explain how to deal with this problem.

What causes a cutting board to smell?

An unpleasant smell develops on the cutting board because food residues seep into microscopic cracks. This applies to both wooden and plastic boards. Sometimes, even when we think we’ve cleaned our countertop thoroughly, these holes, invisible to the naked eye, can be the source of an unpleasant odor.

What’s more, it intensifies when our board comes into contact with moisture. This is when bacteria develop and break down the residues in the microcracks, which also results in the release of an unpleasant odor. Although it is an invisible process, it is very noticeable to us and can cause many problems.

How to get rid of the unpleasant smell from the cutting board? Just a simple trick

Fortunately, there is a simple and, above all, effective method that will allow us to get rid of the unpleasant smell from the cutting board. We don’t have to use any chemicals or scrub the board for a long time. All you need is coarse salt, a cloth and an iron. Then we can move on to the process of getting rid of the smell from the board.

For this purpose:

  • Sprinkle the surface of the board with coarse salt. The type of salt chosen does not matter, the only important thing is that it has larger crystals.
  • Place a cloth on the board or if it is made of plastic, place a cloth and a thicker towel under it.
  • Preheat the iron to medium temperature and do not use steam. It should be warm enough to open the pores of the material and help the salt absorb the odor, but not overheat the material the board is made of.
  • Press the iron lightly against the surface of the board and slide it over the salted surface. Do not hold the iron in one place for too long, but move it energetically from one side to the other.

Thanks to these simple steps, the salt will act as a natural absorbent and absorb the remaining dirt, eliminating the unpleasant smell. After a few minutes from the last step, pick up the salt with a damp cloth. Finally, rinse the board thoroughly and wipe it dry.

What to do to keep the cutting board clean and in good condition?

Of course, it is also worth preventing unpleasant odors on the cutting board. Just a few simple habits will help you not to worry about these problems.

  • First of all, make sure that you not only thoroughly wash the board after each use, but also thoroughly dry it to limit the growth of bacteria.
  • In addition, it is worthwhile to systematically use a coffee scrub, i.e. simply rub the board with coffee grounds, which neutralizes odors and at the same time refreshes the surface.
  • A good solution is also to use two separate boards – one for meat and the other for cutting other products. This will prevent the flavors from mixing.

Sometimes, despite proper care, there comes a time when you simply need to replace the cutting board with a new one. You should do this when you notice deep scratches, visible discoloration or cracks. This type of damage could be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Never clean these objects and surfaces with vinegar. The damage will be irreversible