How I test different techniques
I quickly combined water and turmeric to create a paste which I then spread on five different cutting boards.
(I had previously used this mixture as a natural fabric dye and seen how quickly the beautiful color would spread (read: discolor) to any surface.) I had this authority over every cutting board.
The methods were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 representing the best overall approach and 1 representing the least preferred method. In addition to the quality, I made a few notes about how easy or difficult the procedure was, how much elbow grease it required, and how long it took to remove.
Method for cleaning cutting boards: White vinegar and baking powder
Ten minutes total.
Score: â…•
How to: Make a paste by mixing equal parts white vinegar and baking powder.
After applying the paste to the stain, let it sit for at least five minutes. Next, use a soapy sponge and water to wash.
What happened was that I was wondering why someone uses baking powder instead of baking soda to clean and I was shocked to find out that baking powder is just baking soda with an acidic component. I had high hopes because I cleaned a lot of things with the tried and true vinegar and baking soda mixture, but this procedure didn’t produce any results.
Method of cleaning cutting boards: Water, vinegar, and essential oil
Five minutes total.
Score: â…–
Directions: Add 1 cup water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 5-8 drops of a good quality essential oil (I used Thieves oil) to a spray bottle. Shake and then use a stiff bristle brush to clean the entire board with the solution. Use dish soap to clean.
My experience was that it took me longer to mix all the ingredients before I realized that this approach wasn’t going to work. I sprayed the entire board and then used a stiff bristle brush to massage the mixture, but nothing happened. As soon as I added the soap, I noticed that the turmeric particles turned the soap bubbles yellow. This mixture is a good substitute for bleach in terms of disinfection, but it is not very effective in removing stains.
Cleaning the cutting board with lemon and sunlight
Duration: One day
Score: â…—
The technique is to cut a lemon in half and spread it on a stained cutting board while squeezing the juice. Then put the plate outside and leave it there all day.
How it went: Even with a slight lift, the stain was still quite noticeable. Since the sun is a fantastic bleaching agent, I think you would get much better results if you repeated the process and left the board in the sun for several days at a time. This method works well if you have the time and don’t want to put in too much effort, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to remove stains from your cutting board quickly!
Method for cleaning cutting boards: Dish soap, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Total time spent: overnight
Score: 4.5 out of 5.
Method: Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap (I used Dawn), 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Cover the stain with the mixture and leave it overnight. Use warm soapy water to rinse and scrub.
How it happened: By morning, the combination had pulled the colored flecks from the stain to the surface. I was happy to find that the stain was much reduced after I rinsed the mixture off with warm water. Even more staining appeared when I cleaned everything with dish soap. While it didn’t completely remove the stain, it was undoubtedly a very successful technique. To be honest, I think the winners should be between this strategy and the other (below).
Use baking soda, salt, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide to clean the cutting board.
Ten minutes total.
Score: 4.5 out of 5.
Procedure: The kitchen has a best practice that involves two steps that can be completed at any time. First, either spray the board with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or soak it in a white vinegar solution. (In any case, wash the board again with soap and water after letting it sit for at least five minutes.) Then, to remove surface stains, mix a paste of one part baking soda, one part salt, and one part water.
How it turned out: This recipe requires a lot of ingredients, but we probably all already have them. I actually appreciated that there were two processes because depending on how dirty your board is you can either soak or avoid it. The scrub combination turned out to be just the right consistency – not soupy, but thin enough to spread on a whitened cutting board. When I apply baking soda to a stain, I usually know what to expect: it will take some effort, but the stain will eventually disappear. I am pleased to say that it took a little less work than I expected.
In an effort to determine the most effective cleaning techniques for cutting boards stained with turmeric, I tested five different methods and evaluated their effectiveness. Each method was rated based on its effectiveness, ease of use, and time required to perform. While some approaches have failed, others have yielded commendable results and offered insight into the best ways to tackle stubborn stains.
The first method, using a mixture of white vinegar and baking powder, was surprisingly ineffective and only achieved â…•. Despite my hopes for success, the stain paste made no noticeable difference. Similarly, the second method involving water, vinegar, and essential oils only got â…–. Although it was simple to make, it didn’t deal with turmeric stains well enough, so I was intrigued by its cleaning power.
On a more positive note, the lemon and sunlight method showed promise and received â…—. Although it took patience and time, the natural bleaching effect of the sun showed up slightly on the stain. However, this method may not be practical for those looking for immediate results. The most prominent techniques, scoring 4.5 out of 5, were a combination of dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, as well as a method using baking soda, salt, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Both methods have been shown to be effective in significantly reducing blemishes and show the power of homemade ingredients when thoughtfully combined.
In conclusion, while some cleaning methods may promise quick fixes, the most effective approaches require a little more time and effort.
For anyone struggling with stubborn cutting board stains, the combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is a clear winner, offering practical solutions that deliver satisfying results. Ultimately, this experiment reinforces the idea that with the right techniques and a little persistence, even the most stubborn stains can be successfully tackled.