How to Naturally Clean a Cutting Board with Lemon & Salt
Mar 31, 2025
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Looking for a natural, chemical-free way to clean and deodorize your cutting board? Lemons and salt make the perfect all-natural cleaning duo! This method effectively removes stains, odors, and bacteria, leaving your cutting board fresh, clean, and safe for food prep—without any harsh chemicals.
Want more recipes using lemons to clean with? Check out our How to Clean an Oven with Lemons and DIY Natural Glass Cleaner with Lemons posts!
Why Use Lemon & Salt to Clean Your Cutting Board?
- Natural antibacterial properties – Lemon’s acidity helps kill bacteria.
- Cuts through stains & odors – Great for garlic, onion, and meat residue.
- Non-toxic & eco-friendly – Safe for wood and plastic cutting boards.
- Easy & inexpensive – Uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
What You’ll Need
- ½ lemon (natural disinfectant & deodorizer)
- Coarse salt (acts as a gentle abrasive to lift stains & grime)
- Bench scraper (to remove residue)
- Warm water (for rinsing)
- Sponge or cloth (for final cleanup)
Step-by-Step Cleaning Instructions
Sprinkle Salt on the Cutting Board
Generously sprinkle coarse salt over the entire surface of the cutting board. This helps lift stuck-on residue and provides an abrasive scrub.
Scrub with a Lemon Half
Take half a lemon, place it cut-side down on the board, and use it to scour the surface. Apply gentle pressure while scrubbing in circular motions, squeezing the lemon slightly to release its juice.
Let It Sit & Absorb
Allow the lemon and salt mixture to sit on the board for 5 minutes. This helps break down stains, odors, and bacteria.
Scrape Off Residue
Use a bench scraper to remove the dirty, grayish liquid that forms. Discard the residue into a bowl or trash.
Rinse & Wipe Clean
Finish by rinsing the cutting board with warm water and wiping it down with a clean sponge or cloth. Let it air dry completely before storing.
Extra Tips for Cutting Board Care
- For deep stains: Repeat the process or add a little baking soda for extra scrubbing power.
- For wooden boards: After cleaning, rub a small amount of food-grade mineral oil onto the surface to keep it from drying out.
- For plastic boards: This method works great, but plastic cutting boards can also be sanitized with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
- Avoid soaking wooden boards: Excess moisture can cause warping or cracking.
Keep Your Cutting Board Fresh & Clean Naturally!
Cleaning your cutting board with lemon and salt is an easy, natural, and effective way to keep your kitchen surfaces germ-free and smelling fresh. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
Would you like more natural kitchen cleaning hacks? Drop a comment below!
How to Naturally Clean a Cutting Board with Lemon and Salt
Ingredients
- Half of a lemon
- Coarse salt
- Bench scraper
- Warm water
- Sponge or cloth
Instructions
- Apply salt: Sprinkle the cutting board with coarse salt.
- Scour the surface: Using a lemon half with the cut side down, scour the surface, squeezing slightly to release the lemon juice as you go.
- Let sit, then scrape off: Let sit for 5 minutes, and then scrape the gray, dirty liquid into a small bowl using a bench scraper, and discard.
- Rinse: Give the surface a final rinse with a clean wet sponge.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
