We Tested 5 Methods for Cleaning Stained Plastic Cutting Boards, and 2 Made Them Look Brand-New

The trusty plastic cutting board sure does take a beating. They get scratched and stained — and then the scratches get stained! Sadly, there’s only so much the dishwasher can do. And one important question remains: How do you get stains out of your cutting boards?

I put five reader-favorite methods to the test on stained white plastic cutting boards, skipping anything involving bleach. (Many home cooks, myself included, try to keep bleach away from surfaces that actually touch food). After hours of testing, I’m happy to report that I found two (yes, TWO!) incredible methods that I’d recommend to anyone and everyone. Here’s how to clean a plastic cutting board (minimal scrubbing required!).

I made a quick paste with turmeric and water and smeared it around five white plastic cutting boards that were essentially identical. This mixture is a natural dye for fabric (and Easter eggs!) and beautifully transfers (read: stains) any surface it comes into contact with. This was my control for each cutting board.

The ratings:​ Each method received a rating of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best method overall, and 1 being the least favorite method. Along with the rating, I added a few notes on how easy or difficult each method was, how much elbow grease it took, and how much time it took to remove.

• Total time: 10 minutes
• Rating:​ 1/5

The method: ​Mix equal parts baking powder and white vinegar into a paste. Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Then, wash with water and a soapy sponge.

Here’s what happened: ​I was interested to find out why one might use baking powder instead of baking soda for cleaning and was surprised to learn that baking powder is basically baking soda with an acidic ingredient. I’ve cleaned many things with the trusty baking soda/vinegar combo, so I had high hopes, but this method gave me zero results whatsoever, even after scrubbing and letting the mixture sit.

• Total time: 5 minutes
• Rating:​ 2/5

The method: ​In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 5 to 8 drops of high-quality essential oil (I used Thieves oil). Shake, spray the solution over the entire board, then scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Wash clean with dish detergent.

How it went: ​It took me longer to combine all the ingredients than it did to figure out that this method wasn’t going to work.​ ​After spraying the entire board, I began to work the mixture around with a stiff-bristle brush — but nothing was happening. Once I added dish soap, I could see bits of turmeric turning the soap bubbles yellow. As far as disinfecting goes, this mixture is a good alternative to bleach, but it won’t cut the mustard when it comes to stains.

• Total time: One day
• Rating: 3/5

The method:​ Cut a lemon in half, then squeeze the juice out as you rub it all around the stained cutting board. Set the board outside, and let it sit in the sun for the entire day.

How it went: ​The stain lifted somewhat but was still very visible. I can imagine if you were to repeat this process and leave the cutting board in the sun for a few days at a time, you’d get much better results because the sun is actually a great bleaching agent. I don’t recommend this method if you’ve got limited time, but it’s a great method to use if you have a day and don’t want to make much effort to clean your stained cutting board!

• Total time: Overnight
• Rating: 4.5/5

The method: ​In a small bowl, mix 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of dish soap (Iused Dawn), and 1 to 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Spread the mixture over the stain, and let it sit overnight. Rinse and scrub with warm, soapy water.

How it went: ​By morning, the mixture had drawn bits of color from the stain to the surface. I rinsed the mixture off with warm water and was pleased to see that the stain had lightened significantly. Once I used dish soap for a general cleaning, even more of the stain came up. It didn’t come up completely but was definitely an impressively effective method for such a stubborn stain. Honestly, I’d say this method and the one below tie as the winners.

• Total time: 10 minutes
• Rating:​ 4.5/5

The method:​ The Kitchn has a proven method for cleaning stained plastic cutting boards, which calls for two simple steps. First, soak the board in a white vinegar solution or spray it with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Either way, let the board sit for at least 5 minutes before washing it again with soap and water. Then, make a paste that’s one part baking soda, one part salt, and one part water to scrub out surface stains. 

How it went: ​This method calls for quite a few ingredients, but they’re all things you probably have on hand. I actually liked that there were two different steps because you can do the soak, or skip the soak, depending on how stained your board is (or how much time and energy you have). The scrub mixture ends up being the perfect consistency: thin enough to spread around on the stained cutting board, but not soupy. I usually know what to expect when using baking soda on a stain — it takes a bit of elbow grease, but eventually the stain disappears. I’m happy to report that this took a bit less effort than I had been expecting and still worked amazingly well.

Now that I’ve tested the 5 best cutting board cleaning methods to find which ones actually remove stains with minimal effort, I’m never going back. The next time your plastic cutting boards need a refresh, simply look to your pantry and medicine cabinet — if you have hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, salt, and/or vinegar, you’ve got everything you need.

How do you clean your plastic cutting boards when they’re extra stained? Tell us in the comments below!