Maya Ellison
Plastic chopping boards are notorious for holding onto odours, especially from pungent foods such as garlic, onions and fish. This is due to their porous surface, which absorbs food particles and bacteria. To prevent smells, it is recommended to rinse the board with hot water immediately after use and to regularly deep clean it. There are also several simple and effective ways to remove odours from plastic chopping boards, including using a vinegar solution, a baking soda paste, or rubbing the board with lemon.
How to stop plastic chopping boards from smelling
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rinse with | Hot water |
| Wash with | Dish soap, sponge, pan scrubber |
| Clean with | Bleach, vinegar, baking soda, lemon |
| Dry with | Sunlight, boiled water |
| Preventative measures | Regular deep cleaning, separate boards for different foods |
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What You'll Learn
Rinse with hot water immediately after use
Rinsing your plastic chopping board with hot water immediately after use is an effective way to prevent unwanted odours from lingering. Plastic chopping boards are notorious for holding onto smells, due to their porous surfaces, which can absorb food particles and bacteria. Therefore, it is important to rinse the board with hot water as soon as you have finished using it. This will help to remove any food residue and prevent bacteria from building up and causing unpleasant smells.
It is worth noting that rinsing with hot water alone may not be sufficient to eliminate all odours, especially if your board is already emitting a strong smell. In this case, you may need to incorporate additional cleaning steps, such as using soap or a mild detergent, to ensure your board is thoroughly cleaned.
To further enhance the cleaning process, you can scrub the board with a sponge or a stiff brush while rinsing it with hot water. This mechanical action will help to dislodge any stubborn food particles that may be stuck within the pores of the plastic. Ensure that you scrub all areas of the board, paying extra attention to any grooves or crevices where food may be more likely to accumulate.
After rinsing and scrubbing, it is crucial to dry the board thoroughly. Water left on the board can soak in, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which can then lead to unpleasant smells. You can dry the board by wiping it with a clean cloth or letting it air-dry by standing it upright.
By making it a habit to rinse your plastic chopping board with hot water immediately after each use, you can significantly reduce the chances of unpleasant odours developing. This simple step, combined with regular deep cleaning and proper drying, will help keep your plastic chopping board smelling fresh and maintain a hygienic food preparation surface in your kitchen.
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Use a vinegar solution
Plastic cutting boards are convenient and easy to clean. However, they have a porous surface, which means they can absorb food particles and bacteria, leading to unpleasant odours. To prevent this, it is recommended to rinse your cutting board with hot water immediately after use.
If your plastic cutting board is already emitting an unpleasant odour, there are several effective methods to eliminate it, including using a vinegar solution. Here's how to use a vinegar solution to remove odours from your plastic cutting board:
- Mix equal parts water and white vinegar: Combine equal amounts of water and vinegar in a container. Using white vinegar is ideal because of its colourless nature, but other types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, can also be used.
- Apply the solution to the cutting board: You can use a spray bottle to evenly distribute the solution onto the surface of the cutting board, ensuring it reaches all areas, including the corners and edges. Alternatively, you can use a clean cloth or sponge to apply the solution, gently rubbing it into the surface.
- Let it sit for a few minutes: Allow the vinegar solution to remain on the surface for a few minutes. This gives the vinegar time to penetrate and neutralise any odour-causing bacteria or food particles. You may notice the smell of vinegar during this process, but don't worry; it will dissipate once you rinse the board.
- Rinse the board thoroughly: After a few minutes, rinse the cutting board with clean water. Ensure you rinse off all traces of the vinegar solution. You can use warm water for this step to help remove any remaining vinegar odour.
- Dry the board: After rinsing, dry the cutting board thoroughly. You can let it air dry or use a clean cloth to speed up the process. Ensuring the board is completely dry before storing it will help prevent the growth of bacteria and the formation of mould or mildew, which can also cause unpleasant odours.
Using a vinegar solution is a natural and effective way to remove odours from your plastic cutting board. Vinegar is a powerful deodoriser and antibacterial agent, helping to neutralise odours and inhibit bacterial growth. This method is safe, inexpensive, and easy to perform with readily available household items.
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Make a baking soda paste
If your plastic chopping board is smelling a little funky, don't worry—it's a common issue with an easy fix. Plastic chopping boards are durable and easy to clean, but they have a porous surface that absorbs food particles and bacteria, resulting in unpleasant odours. To get rid of these smells, you can make a baking soda paste.
Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a well-known odour absorber. To make a paste, mix one part water with three parts baking soda. The paste should be thick and not runny, so be careful not to add too much water. You can always add more baking soda if the mixture becomes too watery.
Once you have your paste, use a spoon or spatula to spread it generously over the smelly areas of your chopping board. Make sure to cover all the odorous spots thoroughly. Let the paste sit for at least 5-10 minutes. This waiting period is crucial as it allows the baking soda time to absorb and neutralise the unpleasant odours.
After the paste has had sufficient time to work its magic, grab a damp cloth or sponge and scrub the paste into the board. Give the board a good once-over, ensuring you cover every area where you applied the paste. Finally, rinse the board with warm water to remove any residue. Your chopping board should now be pleasantly odour-free!
This baking soda paste method is an effective and safe way to remove odours from your plastic chopping board. It's also a versatile solution, as you can use it to tackle smells on wooden cutting boards as well. So, the next time your chopping board starts to smell, don't despair—simply reach for the baking soda and follow the steps outlined above.
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Clean with lemon
Lemon is an effective natural cleaning agent and deodorizer that can quickly and safely neutralize strong food odors that have seeped into a plastic chopping board. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean a plastic chopping board with lemon:
Firstly, wash the board with hot, soapy water and a non-scratch scrub sponge or dish brush. Rinse the board with hot water and dry it thoroughly with a clean dish towel.
Next, scrub the board with the cut side of a lemon. You can also sprinkle some kosher salt on the lemon to add scouring power. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive to scour away odor-causing buildup and residue.
After scrubbing the board with lemon, wash it again with hot, soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
In addition to lemon, you can also use other household items to clean and deodorize your plastic chopping board. Some alternatives include baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. For example, you can make a paste with baking soda and water, or use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to wipe down the board. These methods can be particularly effective at removing stains and odors.
By regularly cleaning your plastic chopping board with lemon and other household items, you can effectively remove odors and keep your chopping board in good condition.
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Use separate boards for different foods
One of the best ways to prevent your plastic chopping board from smelling is to use separate boards for different types of food. This is because foods like garlic, onions, and fish are often the worst offenders when it comes to lingering odours. By using a dedicated board for these strong-smelling foods, you can prevent their odours from transferring to other foods.
It is recommended to have at least three separate cutting boards in your kitchen: one for produce, one for meats, and one for strong-smelling foods. This will not only help prevent cross-contamination but also keep odours from mixing and becoming more pronounced. For example, you could designate a specific board for garlic and onions, which tend to have potent and lingering smells.
Another advantage of using separate boards is that it makes cleaning easier. Each board can be cleaned and sanitised according to the specific requirements of the food it comes into contact with. For instance, the board used for raw meats should be washed with hot water and soap immediately after use to prevent bacterial growth and eliminate any lingering meat odours.
Using separate boards can also help extend the life of your chopping boards. By reducing the exposure of each board to certain types of food, you can minimise the risk of stains and discolouration, and odour absorption. This is especially beneficial for plastic boards, which have a porous surface that can easily absorb food particles and odours.
In addition to using separate boards, it is important to maintain and care for your plastic chopping boards properly. Regular deep cleaning, especially after handling strong-smelling foods, can help prevent future odours. Additionally, rinsing the boards with hot water immediately after use can inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the likelihood of odours developing.
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Frequently asked questions
Rinse your chopping board with hot water immediately after use. You can also use separate boards for different types of produce to prevent cross-contamination and lingering odours.
There are several methods you can use to remove smells:
- Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts water and vinegar, apply the solution to the board and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Baking soda paste: Make a paste using baking soda and water, spread it on the smelly areas and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Lemon rub: Cut a lemon in half and rub it over the surface of the chopping board.
Plastic chopping boards have a porous surface, which means they can absorb food particles and bacteria – the primary causes of unpleasant odours.
Foods such as garlic, onions, and fish are often the worst offenders when it comes to causing lingering odours on plastic chopping boards.
