How to Remove Smell from a Cutting Board (Garlic, Fish, and Onion Odors)

Cutting boards absorb strong odors from garlic, onions, fish, and raw meat. Even after washing, these smells can linger and transfer to other foods. Here's how to neutralize them completely.

What You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Lemon or white vinegar
• CLARK'S Cutting Board Soap — enriched with natural orange and lemon extracts that neutralize odors
• Mevell Food Grade Mineral Oil — for conditioning wood after deodorizing
• Coarse salt

Method 1: Baking Soda Paste (Most Effective)

1. Wet the cutting board surface.
2. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire surface.
3. Rub it in with your hand or a brush and let sit for 10–15 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Baking soda is a natural odor absorber and neutralizes acidic and alkaline odor compounds alike.

Method 2: Lemon Scrub

1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Rub the cut side directly over the entire board surface, squeezing slightly to release juice.
3. Let the lemon juice sit for 5 minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water.

The citric acid in lemon neutralizes fishy and sulfurous odors from garlic and onion effectively.

Method 3: White Vinegar Rinse

1. Pour undiluted white vinegar over the board surface.
2. Let sit for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse with warm water. The vinegar smell dissipates quickly as it dries.

Method 4: Salt + Lemon Scrub (For Stubborn Odors)

1. Sprinkle coarse salt over the board.
2. Scrub with a lemon half in circular motions for 2–3 minutes.
3. Let sit 5 minutes, then rinse.

This combination works especially well for fish and strong garlic odors embedded in wood grain.

For Wooden Boards: Condition After Deodorizing

After any deodorizing treatment, dry the board completely and apply a coat of food-grade mineral oil. This seals the wood grain and prevents future odor absorption.

How to Prevent Cutting Board Odors

• Rinse immediately after cutting strong-smelling foods
• Use separate boards for fish and meat vs. produce
• Keep wooden boards well-oiled — sealed wood absorbs less odor
• Wash with CLARK'S Cutting Board Soap after every use — the citrus extracts actively neutralize odors

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cutting board still smell after washing?

Odor compounds from garlic, fish, and onion penetrate deep into wood and plastic surfaces. Regular soap only removes surface residue — you need an acid (lemon or vinegar) or baking soda to neutralize the embedded odor molecules.

Can I use coffee grounds to deodorize a cutting board?

Yes — coffee grounds are a natural odor absorber. Rub damp grounds over the board, let sit 5 minutes, and rinse. Works well for fish odors in particular.

How do I get fish smell out of a wooden cutting board?

Use the salt + lemon scrub method, followed by a white vinegar rinse. For persistent odors, repeat the baking soda treatment and let the board air out in a well-ventilated area overnight.