3 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Wood Cutting Board

Apr 1, 2019Erica Chung, MPHFood

Making a simple swap from plastic makes a HUGE difference

Cutting boards, probably one word runs through your head – “ugh” – and we couldn’t agree more! They’re kind of unwieldy but somehow never big enough, a pain to clean and sometimes gross. Maybe a BIG emphasis on the gross part. Unfortunately, just like breakfast, lunch and dinner, cutting boards are kind of a package deal when it comes to cooking, but we got a simple swap for you that will make your life a whole lot easier when it comes to cutting boards. Say goodbye to your midnight Google searches of “how do I keep my cutting board clean” or “what kind of cutting board is best?” after you put the kids to bed. Excited? Us too!

Why a Wood Cutting Board Reigns Supreme

We’ve got three words for you – wood over plastic. It’s seriously that easy and that simple! Here’s why a wooden cutting board is better for you over a plastic cutting board.

1. More bumpy surfaces = less gross bacteria growth

You’ve probably noticed, but wooden cutting boards have a pretty bumpy surface. Contrary to what you probably think, this bumpy surface is actually a good thing! Bacteria don’t like to grow on bumpy surfaces, so wood cutting boards are less likely to promote bacterial growth (1).

2. Wood has natural antimicrobial properties!

Wood contains natural antimicrobial properties. Bacteria that end up on wooden cutting boards sink into the wood, where they are unable to multiply and eventually die (4). On plastic cutting boards, the bacteria reside on the surface and grooves of the cutting board and continue to multiple even after cleaning (4).

3. You’re not ingesting small amounts of plastic

Choosing wood over plastic means you won’t accidentally swallow small slivers of plastic. If you have a plastic cutting board, you’ll probably notice that your cutting board has cuts on the board where the knife hits the plastic. If you’ve ever wondered where those little tiny plastic silvers go, well, that stuff coulee end up getting into what you cook!

Here’s how to take care of your wooden cutting board

DO NOT place your wooden cutting board into the dishwasher (3). It will warp the wood over time and ruin the lovely cutting board you just spent so much money on. If you remember nothing else about wooden cutting boards, just remember this!
DO hand wash both sides of the cutting board with hot soapy water, pat down and let air dry on its side so that both sides dry. Letting your wooden cutting board dry completely is KEY since bacteria love moisture (3).
DO oil it. To ensure that your wooden cutting board lasts a lifetime, give it a good rubdown with mineral oil or beeswax once a month (this is not essential to preventing bacterial growth, but more for cutting board longevity) (2).
DO sanitize and remove odors from your board once in awhile. We recommend using a half a lemon and salt to scrub the surface if you have pesky odors that won’t go away (we’re looking at you onions). A good way to disinfect is a simple DIY vinegar spray, or you can also spray or pour hydrogen peroxide on the surface, let stand for a couple of minutes and then wipe clean. No bleach needed!

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