How to Deodorize a Wooden Cutting Board

Learn how to deodorize a wooden cutting board while getting stains and germs out. The secret may surprise you!

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We’ve all been there. You cut up some fresh watermelon or maybe grate a block of cheese on the cutting board. Only to notice as you’re eating the food that it has a funky taste that somehow transferred onto it.

Maybe you also notice an onion or garlic scent that just will not go away on your wooden cutting board. No matter how much you scrub or how soapy the water is, you can’t seem to get it CLEAN clean.

This has been a pet peeve of mine for a while. Until I finally discovered a few little secrets to deodorizing (and getting unwanted flavors out of) a wooden cutting board.

It really only comes down to a few simple steps. All with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have.

Can’t beat that!

I use a combination of acid + salt to really deodorize my wooden cutting boards. Then I use baking soda for more intense smells. Finally, I coat it with some oil to seal the cutting board to prevent future germs from penetrating the wood and creating yucky smells.

Let’s get into all the nitty-gritty details for how to deodorize a wooden cutting board…

A woman is using a lime to clean a cutting board.

How does citrus and salt work?

Citrus helps cut through grime when scrubbed into a cutting board and it’s antimicrobial. It also eliminates odors with its highly acidic nature. The grainy sea salt helps draw moisture out and is abrasive so it helps get any gunk off.

Do I need to season my cutting boards after deodorizing and sanitizing them?

It is a good idea to go ahead and season a cutting board after you go through the steps of sanitizing it really well. After drying the cutting boards simply add 1-2 tbsp of oil and rub it in generously until the wood is covered and it coats it. This should seal the board and be done periodically to prevent germs penetrating the wood.

You can use one of these oils for seasoning your cutting boards:

Coconut oil
Food grade mineral oil

A cutting board is sealed with plenty of oil.

How to Deodorize a Wooden Cutting Board

Tools/Materials You Need | deodorize wooden cutting board

Bamboo scrubber brush

Liquid soap

Spray bottle

White vinegar

Water

Limes

Sea salt

Steps | deodorize wooden cutting board

1. Begin by washing the cutting board with hot soapy water. Use a bamboo brush to scrub it clean.

2. Rinse all the soap residue away, and spray the cutting board liberally with a 1:1 ratio of vinegar water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping off.

3. Now, sprinkle sea salt liberally over the entire cutting board. Squeeze the juice of a lime over the salt. Use an additional lime half to scrub the salt and citrus juice paste thoroughly over the board.

4. Sprinkle baking soda over this and continue to scrub in circular motions using the bamboo brush again.

5. Rinse this paste off and dry the board thoroughly.

6. Season cutting board for best results. Add 1-2 tbsp of food-grade mineral oil or coconut oil over the cutting board to seal it. Rub it liberally over the entire board until it is completely covered and coats the board.

A lime and salt are scrubbed into a wooden cutting board to deodorize it.

Baking soda is poured on a wooden cutting board to deodorize it.

A spoonful of coconut oil lays across a wooden cutting board to deodorize and seal it.

Tips for Success | deodorize wooden cutting board

You can also use lemon or orange instead of a lime if you have that on hand instead. You just need something acidic that will help eliminate odors and sanitize the wood cutting board.

For sanitizing cutting boards you cut meat on, I recommend using a stronger method like a bleach and water combo to truly kill all bacteria off.