There is nothing more disappointing than pulling out your cutting board and seeing that it is covered in black stains.
In most cases, these stains are caused by black mold, but other kinds of mold might be causing the stains on your cutting board. Contaminants can get into the porous surfaces of your cutting board and cause these stains.
Due to the nature of the things that are behind the stains on your cutting board, you should make sure to remove these stains through proper cleaning processes as soon as you notice that there are stains on your cutting board.
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What Causes Black Stains on Wooden Cutting Boards?
Black stains are usually related to non-hygienic contaminants that have seeped into the cutting board surface.
These stains are usually caused by toxic mold or mildew that has grown over time and caused the stain. You do not want to be preparing food on a contaminated cutting board, so you need to take these kinds of stains seriously.
Always make sure that the stains that you think you see are not actually variations in the natural wood grain. Some kinds of woods do have natural color variations that can look like stains when the cutting board is wet.
How to Remove Black Stains From Wooden Cutting Board
There are some easy ways to remove black stains from your cutting board. You can try all of these solutions to find the right one to solve your cutting board cleaning needs.
- Lemon and Salt
This is a very traditional cleaning method to remove black stains. This is a good way to remove minimal stains from your cutting board and it is quite affordable which is a nice added benefit.
To use this method, make sure that you wet the cutting board with a hot, wet towel. Use coarse salt like rock salt and lemon that has been cut in half. Sprinkle the salt over the board and then add the lemon juice.
Use half of the lemon to scrub the cutting board’s surface until the stains start to look less obvious. Wipe off and repeat the treatment until you are happy with the outcome. Wash the cutting board thoroughly and dry with a towel.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is a tried-and-true method that will remove more serious stains. This is an antifungal, antiseptic treatment that will get rid of many tough contaminants.
Use equal proportions of white vinegar and baking soda in two different cups. Pour the cup of baking soda onto the board and then apply the vinegar over the baking soda.
Wait a few minutes and then give your cutting board a gentle and effective rinse. You will want to then rub your washed cutting board with mineral oil to rehydrate the wood surface.
- Bleach Solution
If you have a stubborn black stain on your cutting board that will not come out, you can move on to a bleach solution to take care of the stain.
To make the solution, you will need to mix 1 tbsp of bleach per gallon of water. Put the solution on the cutting board and let it rest for a minute or two. Rinse thoroughly with water to make sure that there is no bleach left on the board.
Make sure to dry your cutting board thoroughly and apply mineral oil after your treatment to rehydrate the wood.
- Bicarbonate Paste
Make this cleaning paste by adding salt, vinegar, lemon, and some water until they form a paste. Scrub the surface of your cutting board with it and rinse.
Reapply and scrub again until the stain has been lifted out. Make sure that you only use a gentle scrubbing material for this process so that you do not drive the paste into the wood too deeply.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Make a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with water. Rub it on the cutting board with a towel and scrub gently and rinse. Repeat as needed until the stains have been removed from the cutting board surface.
Make sure not to use this treatment too often as it can harm the wood by drying it out excessively. This should only be used for the toughest stains.
How to Prevent Your Cutting Board From Getting Black Stains
Wooden cutting boards require maintenance. They are not like plastic cutting boards that you can put into the dishwasher and just wash. You will need to remember that you need to clean your wooden cutting board with care after each use.
1. Wash the cutting board after every use with warm water and dry it off right away with a clean towel. You do not want the board to absorb excess moisture if possible.
2. Lay your cutting board on a countertop and then let it rest as it dries. It can be very helpful to put your cutting board in a sunny spot on the counter to speed up the drying process and prevent bacterial growth.
3. DO NOT put your cutting board into the dishwasher! The heat and the soap will just cause your cutting board to soak up water that will ruin it or warp it.
4. To rehydrate your cutting board, use neutral or mineral oil. Don’t apply food oils or olive oil to the cutting board. You also want to be sure that you soak up any extra oil that is left on the surface of the cutting board when you are done. Let the board rest for a day, if possible, to allow the oil to soak into the board.
Wooden Cutting Board Care is Easy
Caring for your wooden cutting board is easy and you should try and make sure that you take the time to clean and care for your cutting board after every use.
Ensuring that you clean and care for your cutting board after each use will prevent dark stains caused by mold, mildew, and other contaminants.
Brianna is a self-published author with a passion for sharing her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics with people who are looking to find the perfect items for their needs. She loves making sure that the right kind of informative content is available to people looking for quality products of all kinds. She is an avid horseback rider and reader when she is not writing.
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