Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

Why Your Cutting Boards Smell (And The Fast Way To Get Rid Of It)

That strange whiff coming from your kitchen? It might not be the bin. If you’ve noticed a lingering smell, even after washing up, your cutting board could be the culprit.

Wooden and plastic chopping boards absorb food odours over time, especially from strong smelling ingredients like onion, garlic or raw meat.

The good news? You don’t need to bin your board or scrub it endlessly. This guide explains why your chopping board smells, what causes it and the fastest way to get rid of the odour using simple items you already have in your kitchen.

Table of Contents

Why Do Cutting Boards Smell In The First Place?

No matter how often you rinse or scrub, smells can build up. Cutting boards, especially wooden ones, are porous.

This means they absorb moisture and bacteria from the food you prep. Over time, those smells get trapped on the surface.

Chopping boards used for onions, garlic, fish or raw chicken are the most common offenders. Even after washing, trace odours stick around, especially if the board isn’t dried properly.

With plastic boards, knife cuts can trap food particles deep in the grooves, which start to smell over time if not properly cleaned.

If your board has been left damp or stored in a cupboard without air circulation, that can make the smell even worse, sometimes even sour or musty.

Is It Safe To Keep Using A Smelly Cutting Board?

In most cases, a smelly cutting board isn’t dangerous, just unpleasant. But if the odour is strong and the board feels slimy or stained, it could mean bacteria is lingering on the surface.

The Food Standards Agency in the UK recommends using separate chopping boards for raw meat and ready to eat food and cleaning them thoroughly with hot, soapy water. But for boards with persistent smells, a deeper clean is often needed.

If your board smells like fish or sour milk after cleaning or the smell transfers to your food, it’s time to freshen it properly or replace it if it’s badly damaged.

The Fastest Way To Remove Smells From A Cutting Board

You don’t need fancy cleaners or strong chemicals. The quickest and most effective way to remove odours from a chopping board is to use lemon and salt.

Here’s what to do:

Sprinkle a generous amount of coarse salt (like sea salt) over the surface of the board.
Cut a lemon in half and use the cut side to scrub the salt into the board. This combination helps lift grime, neutralise odours and kill surface bacteria.
Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel.
Leave the board standing upright to air dry completely before putting it away.

This method works for both wooden and plastic boards, though avoid soaking wooden boards in water as it can warp or crack the wood.

Other Natural Ways To Deodorise A Cutting Board

If you don’t have lemons to hand, you can also try:

Bicarbonate of soda
Sprinkle over the board, add a splash of water to form a paste, scrub gently, then rinse and dry.
White vinegar
Wipe the board down with a cloth dipped in vinegar, then rinse and dry. It helps kill bacteria and remove strong smells.
Sunlight
Placing your clean, damp cutting board outside in the sun for an hour or two can naturally eliminate odours and help disinfect it.

These natural methods are all food safe and ideal for households trying to avoid harsh chemical cleaners.

How To Stop Your Chopping Boards From Smelling Again

To keep your chopping boards smelling fresh, it’s important to clean them straight after use. Letting food juices sit especially from meat, onions or garlic gives smells more time to settle in.

Once washed, always dry the board fully before putting it away. Dampness encourages bacteria and mould, especially on wooden boards.

Disinfect regularly if you’re using the board for raw meat or fish and try to keep separate boards for meat, veg and ready to eat foods to avoid cross contamination.

For wooden boards, rub a small amount of food safe mineral oil into the surface once a month. This helps seal the wood, keeping out moisture and smells.

With regular care, your boards will stay clean, safe and odour free for longer.

Let Others Know About This Easy Fix For Smelly Cutting Boards!

This quick and effective method is a lifesaver for keeping cutting boards fresh. Share it on social media so others can remove odours from their boards without hassle!

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