It can be challenging to remove food residue off plates, especially cutting boards, because food can be sticky and become stuck in porous surfaces. Here are some suggestions, nevertheless, for making clean plastic cutting boards and other materials to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses for your family.
A Clean Plastic Cutting Board Is Essential
Compared to cutting boards made of other materials, plastic cutting boards are considerably easier to clean, but they can develop cut lines, which provide the ideal environment for germs to hide and proliferate. “Knife-scarred plastic surfaces were impossible to clean and disinfect manually,” per a UC Davis study.
Use the dishwasher and hand wash it.
Regretfully, germs can become lodged, and the dishwasher’s hygienic cycle might not be strong enough to eradicate them all. To minimize development, it is advised to use the dishwasher as often as possible on a sanitary cycle. Dish soap, a scrub brush, and warm water are what you’ll need to thoroughly clean plastic cutting boards. After every use, give it a thorough hand wash.
The Right Disinfectant
Disinfecting a plastic cutting board after cleaning it will get rid of all bacteria and foodborne illnesses. But chemicals like bleach are bad for human health, especially for the lungs. As an alternative, you can use vinegar to thoroughly clean and sanitize plastic cutting boards. Alternately, you might mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with water. In any case, give the board a minimum of five minutes to soak before giving it another wash with warm water and soap.
To obtain a clean plastic cutting board, prepare a mixture.
Mix one part baking soda, one part salt, and one part water to make a paste for stubborn stains like fruit or vegetable juices. While you clean your plastic cutting board, the mixture will be sufficiently abrasive to remove stains without causing damage to your belongings.
Plastic cutting boards’ drawbacks
Plastic cutting boards not only retain bacteria but also have another drawback. They can release plastic particles that cause cancer into food when they are broken up or damaged. Consequently, consumers are searching for cutting boards composed of materials other than plastic. Although silicone is an excellent substitute, it has a similar issue to cutting boards made of plastic. They may potentially leak harmful substances into meals if they get damaged, twisted, or scraped.
Cutting Board Made of Plastic vs. Other Materials
Since alternative cutting boards are renowned for having non-porous surfaces, they would seem to be a preferable option. For instance, unlike plastic or wood, stainless steel and glass are easy to clean and do not harbor bacteria. But they also quickly and readily dull blades, making food more difficult to chop.
Wood to Win
Wood cutting boards have an advantage over other materials even if they can’t be washed in the dishwasher. The germs perish as they are absorbed into the wood cutting boards. On the other hand, bacteria can survive on the surface of a cleaned plastic cutting board for several days or even weeks. “It appears that the bacteria that have vanished from the wood surfaces do not proliferate and instead eventually die, even though they are discovered alive within the wood for a while after application. The only ways to find them are to crack or gouge the wood or to entirely push water through from one surface to the other. Dr. Dean Cliver explains.
Furthermore, “end-grain” wood cutting boards have a self-healing quality, which means that the knife cuts ultimately close and release trapped microorganisms.
general maintenance of cutting boards
Although wood cutting boards are the greatest at reducing bacteria, any cutting board may work wonders with the right maintenance, so wood isn’t the only option. Maintaining the cleanliness of a plastic cutting board can help prevent disease and increase the longevity of your kitchen items.
