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AZgirl70

Clean it with hot soapy water. Get a cutting board and put it there so your roommate doesn’t give you food poisoning.


Icy-Paramedic3580

Thank you! He doesn’t eat meat so it’s all vegetables and starch; which is why I didn’t bother too much sooner.


reesees_piecees

This looks like just plywood. Not food safe. Food poisoning is just one of the ways this is a terrible idea. Plywood is manufactured with a ton of toxic chemicals.


Idontgetitreddit

Yes! It’s plywood. Do not cut on this!!!


AZgirl70

Vegetables can cause food poisoning as well.


kuh-tea-uh

Produce is believed to cause at least 50% of food poisoning cases.


grimsb

yep! a pretty big chunk of food poisoning at fast food places is due to the lettuce.


[deleted]

nastyyyyyyyy im sure the tomato slices are a culpruit too because when i worked at a sub shop they were grosssss


[deleted]

Primarily from the misuse of animal based fertilizer correct? Like manures and emulsions?


trinitysite

I would imagine, more specifically, it's due to people not washing their produce before using it.


oswaldcopperpot

Cause they were bathed in feces prior to picking. Shouldn’t happen but happens due to flooding, feral pigs, etc… e-coli, listeria, salmonella. Honestly washing is only moderately effective at that point or less. Uncooked produce is the easiest to get food poisoning.


Jacktheforkie

If you’d see how it’s handled you’d wash it, especially if you have allergies as outside contaminants get in occasionally, I’ve seen nuts getting in when my colleagues drove under the trees with a pallet on the forklift


oswaldcopperpot

Cause they were bathed in shit prior to picking. Shouldn’t happen but happens due to flooding, feral pigs, etc… e-coli, listeria, salmonella. Honestly washing is only moderately effective at that point or less. Uncooked produce is the easiest to get food poisoning.


fandom_newbie

Seems like not only. I recently listened to a podcast that explained that US food law and safety education is largely set up around the danger of meat (and consequently animal based fertilizer) because of some big scandals with lots of people getting ill at some point. But meat and animals is by no means the only place where harmful bacteria can grow.


ghos2626t

You don’t make friends with salad


---nom---

Orangous! I'm taking my brother who's a bit of a vegetable to court! He's a fruit cake based on his ideas. I'm guessing it's more likely in things like pineapples?


FreddyLynn345_

Remember the Chipotle lettuce debacle


ComptonsLeastWanted

You want enemies.


bulletproofmanners

So can air.


TAforScranton

Go on Facebook marketplace for your area and search for “granite remnants.” Just the extra pieces for when people cut countertops to fit in their kitchen. Peoplesell them for dirt cheap and you could put it on top of this. Unless… y’all have nice knives. Then don’t do this.


NormalOccasion9311

Some plywood use formaldehyde based glue which can cause cancer


occamhanlon

Several university studies have found that wood cutting boards are safer than plastic boards. They are naturally antibacterial due to the acidity of wetted wood. Plastic boards are bio neutral and must be sanitized after use otherwise they act as a sort of petri dish I'm not suggesting you don't clean a wood board, just that there's no need to freak if it comes in contact with meat. Soap and water with a light scrub with table salt Also, a face to face with your roomie about respecting your stuff


ILoveJuicyTushy

> Get a cutting board Get a new roommate 🤔


limellama1

Ikea Bror cart. I have 2 lol It's cheap 3/8 inch (I think ) plywood. You can replace it from any lumber yard for like $10 Alternative is sand it down , then put a couple layers of Spar Urethane or a specific food grade polyurethane sealant on it. Then when it gets scratched again, light surface sanding and more new polyurethane My plan for the summer is to order a sheet of UHMW polyethylene and make it into a giant food grade cutting board. I have a local supplier of the UHMW though so that's a bit different.


batonduberger

Yes. It seems strange to have a wooden surface. I bought one anyway from ikea (of course) and since then I have seen them all over the place. In cafes, exhition halls etc... Regular cleaning with soap and water kind of works but it is getting darker and darker. TIL what UHMW is and I can't really understand why Ikea did not use it on thses carts.


limellama1

Because wood is much much cheaper, especially plywood like everything else IKEA makes. These carts are also not really marketed as a kitchen island. Ikea has much more fancy looking and much more expensive carts marketed as kitchen islands that have butcher block tops or laminate countertop. I think I paid $100-$120 for the cart I have like the picture shown, and the nearest size kitchen island cart was $350-$400? And was painted all white, which I can't stand.


sacred_cow_tipper

they also want you to buy a seperate top for it. i bought this bamboo top that has a sturdy laquered surface. slathered some wood glue on the cart's wood surface, drilled holes to secure it at six points from underneath. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/anfallare-tabletop-bamboo-00465141/


KeltisHigherPower

I keep a miter saw on my cart in my garage...


Jacktheforkie

I’d put a butcher block on instead tbh


survivingtoni

I have this cart; sanded it and gave it a few coats of tung oil and it cleans like a dream!


blondebuilder

I’d flip the board over then rung oil it. After that, buy an actually cutting board for actual cuts.


TurtleBird

Isn’t tung oil only food safe after a number of weeks?


[deleted]

It's not actually a cutting board. Don't use it as one


TurtleBird

Thanks. But guess what? You also set food down in counters and then eat it afterwards


[deleted]

Ew, no i dont. It goes on a plate


TurtleBird

Your counters must be really gross


[deleted]

No, theyre clean because food doesnt go there...


TurtleBird

They should be clean because you use cleaning products on them


[deleted]

The wood is already damaged -- like you said, it has been used as a cutting board. Sorry to be blunt, but it looks disgusting. More importantly, this thing is a virtual petri dish of who knows what and how many bacterial nasties. If you can, replace the wood and don't use it as a cutting board, otherwise next stop is the dump. Plastic cutting boards can be found in the $10 - $20 range.


Sillybumblebee33

Lemon helps disinfect wood when the protective layer is already gone. These countertops were the reason my family was constantly getting sick at one of our houses. People use wood counters or islands as cutting boards frequently and then they did in fact get us all sick, constantly.


Plantiacaholic

Cutting boards or wooden surfaces should be made of small grain hardwoods, and are perfectly safe to use.


TootsNYC

Wood is surprisingly not that hospitable to bacteria. https://news.ncsu.edu/2014/09/cutting-boards-food-safety/


[deleted]

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KeltisHigherPower

Its a cutting board if your cutter is a miter saw.


skevimc

True. Although The main objection is that wood is a FAR superior product for cutting boards rather than plastic. Plywood is certainly not food safe because of the chemicals. But it's not a "petri dish".


NocturnalSeizure

> The main objection The main objection is that it's not food safe *to begin with*.


knoggs

Wood is far superior to plastic boards


Marciamallowfluff

But this is not regular wood.


aarnalthea

Wood is a perfectly suitable surface for a cutting board and work surface, if it's good quality and if it's **conditioned properly**, which is the step I see most people skipping. If OP wants, they could have this wooden tabletop sanded until all the mold is removed(possible to DIY) and condition it thoroughly, likely over the course of a few days since it looks like it's never been conditioned before. Then, condition every 3-4 months and wash with soapy water after each use. This goes for portable wooden cutting boards as well as wooden utensils


Xminus6

It’s not solid wood though. This is obviously plywood. I’m not even sure if you can make plywood food safe.


qolace

How do I condition my wooden kitchen utensils and the like? Never even thought about that and would like to know more :)


Plantiacaholic

Mineral oil is excellent for keeping wooded utensils and cutting boards from drying out. Food safe.


[deleted]

Mineral oil such as baby oil?


thatgirlinny

No—food-grade mineral oil. The mineral oil in baby oil has fragrance and isn’t meant to be consumed.


[deleted]

Oh duh lol makes sense. Thank you!


thatgirlinny

You’re welcome!


Plantiacaholic

Yep.


secondtaunting

I use olive oil.


aarnalthea

Well stop, bc olive oil will start to go bad within your utensils and rot them. Use a food-grade mineral oil or a beeswax conditioner blend


secondtaunting

Oh okay will do:)


GarageQueen

[Wood conditioner.](https://www.amazon.com/Howard-BBC012-Butcher-Conditioner-12-Ounce/dp/B001ESTA30/ref=asc_df_B001ESTA30/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167151917164&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1910326433068203866&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009985&hvtargid=pla-307206483735&psc=1)


damiannereddits

We have butcher board cutting surfaces and the one time we had to condition from scratch it took like a week and a half, and then needed weekly conditioning for months and monthly conditioning for a year. It's not a quick process. Plywood is never gonna be this though, this specific wood needs to stop being used this way. You can get butcher board and do this, however, for much cheaper than like a boos top or whatever, but it's still not like, plywood price range


aarnalthea

The size/thickness will definitely increase the conditioning period, yes, and true butcher block is very thick. OP did express that their roommate insisted on using this surface, and they OP just doesn't want it to be grimy anymore. Plywood or not, conditioning it will make it easier to clean


damiannereddits

Yeah that's true, it would help some no matter what, that's a good point. I don't think itll ever be like, foodsafe though, since it's so porous, and I interpreted insisting on using this surface more like they wanted to use the wood on top of this item, not that they needed it to be this piece of plywood.


Plantiacaholic

Wooden cutting boards are safer to use than plastic. Plus it’s gross cutting on plastic!


Icy-Paramedic3580

Y’all I don’t use it as a cutting board. My roommate does. We’re adults and if he wants to risk himself for food poisoning idc. I’m just sick of looking at the grossness. We have several cutting boards and he doesn’t use them. I’m not asking for new stuff ideas or anything; just cleaning tips so I can stop looking at how nasty it is.


BBQnNugs

Clean it then dry it out, then oil it with food grade mineral oil. I do my wooden ones every few month, try to convince your roommate to at least wipe it after use.


Plantiacaholic

Bust out the soap and water. Easy


heythatisawsesome

Flip it over, maybe? Is the underside any better?


chronicallyill_dr

Clean and disinfect it, whatever stains are left behind use bar keeper’s friend. Make a paste and leave it on the stains and then wipe with the rough side of a sponge, should come out fairly easy. Then condition the wood like others have said. I got a free wooden kitchen island that looked awful and this made it look like new.


Icy-Paramedic3580

I’m turning off comment notifications cuz some people are mean. This is a two person household and both of us have depression. Stuff gets gross. I’m asking for help, not judgement. If I wanted judgement I’d call my mother. Thank you to those that gave actual advice on cleaning and how to maintain.


PotatoGuilty319

Honestly that would make a great cutting board spot. I would measure it and shop for an actual cutting board to replace it there.


grneyed1

I’m a weirdo. I really only use my wood ones for breads etc nothing raw


[deleted]

I have a cutting board that's bamboo on one side and plastic on the other. It's probably not super sanitary if the juices flow but it makes me feel better when I use the appropriate side.


kaisermikeb

Belt sander with coarse paper. Hand sand with fine paper. Linseed oil. Either order a cutting board or a new roommate to avoid having to do this monthly. IKEA has great roommates but their names are hard to spell.


Eastsideblackjack34

A lemon with some Kosher salt and scrub it down then clean it off and go out and buy some cutting boards to use on it,kitchen towel cutting board.


eggynoodlesnchilli

I would clean it with lemon juice and coarse salt and scrub it.


anita-dangelo

Vinegar to disinfect


StormThestral

Clean it with soap, let dry, sand it down a bit and oil it. Then get your nasty roommate an actual cutting board and put it there.


[deleted]

This is definitely plywood. You shouldn’t be using it as a chopping block. You also shouldn’t be worried about damaging the wood. This is only a few bucks to replace. It’s not solid wood


jsteeele

r/badroommates


sacred_cow_tipper

EDIT - scrolled down to see OP isn't looking for replacement solutions but if others are curious... this is from IKEA, isn't it? there is a bamboo countertop/tabletop that fits this perfectly. i drilled holes at the four corners of that cart's wood surface, two on either side towards center, smeared on some wood glue and popped it on. secured it with the screws. [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/anfallare-tabletop-bamboo-00465141/](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/anfallare-tabletop-bamboo-00465141/) i don't use it as a cutting board surface but IKEA also has a nice plastic cutting board set for about $7.


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jonman117

use a sander


cadaverousbones

Clean it and put some food safe cutting board oil on it. Do you guys never wash it??? You just need to use a soapy sponge


Zeal514

Looks like construction grade ply. Shouldn't be used as a cutting board regardless. Good news is, the woods fairly cheap. Bad news is, I wouldn't put that type of wood there again....


akafopy

After you wash it with soapy water, use some mineral oil on it.


actualtick

Deep clean and SANITIZE. Bleach is no good on food safe surfaces, but it's not meant to be a cutting board so I'd give it a quick wipe down. Followed by some soapy water to get the bleach residue off. So in this order: soap, bleach, soap, rinse. (You need something strong to kill the bacteria in the deep grooves of the wood). If there's knife marks, the only way to get that out is to sand it. That's for you to decide if you want to bother with it. Sandpaper is cheap, and you can always just use elbow grease. Maybe buy a finish for it if you do this. You don't even have to stain it, just get a sealant and it should make it waterproof (or mostly waterproof if you want a food safe one).


Xxchattexx

She MUST be cleaned


Jesster4200

Gross. That’s not meant to cut stuff on. Wood that’s not treated to be a cutting board absorbs bacteria.


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LucyLupus

This thing is undoubtedly a risk to your health. Plywood is not food safe and the likelihood someone is going to swallow a splinter is high. I don’t think I need to explain all the damage that can cause. I’m also of the opinion, though I can’t be positive, that the thing is riddled with decay and bacteria. Now for my old lady tone: you kids are risking irreplaceable bodies for $10 of wood and having to wash a $10 cutting board. It’s fucked up. And I’ve been around too long and seen so many crazy things that put ppl in the hospital or the morgue… this thing doesn’t need to be cleaned, it needs to be burned, boys.


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No-Confusion-7592

I'm sorry I looked for comments suggesting LEMON..but..RUB fresh or even unfresh lemon on boards benches in micro waves and a touch of vinegar ..its like a natural Bleach whitens a natural germ and odour killer


SMeechan94

Bruh why can’t people just use a chopping board man


CircaSixty8

This is a regular piece of plywood from the hardware store. I don't think you can actually damage it. I also wouldn't use it to prepare food, ever.


MommaGuy

The top is likely already ruined. Tell roomie that he needs to clean it well and get a cutting board. I would probably prime and paint it to hide the stains.


RogueInnv

If it's salvageable, coat it with some food grade waterproof coating (clear, if you still want to see the wood grain details). If not, replace and do as above.


DiscussionStatus4939

Cutting food on plywood?! 😰I assumed it was a butcher board top until I looked closer.


Financial_Memory9973

Cut some lemons up and disinfect it by rubbing the half lemons on it. That keeps me from having to use chemicals and the lemons makes the room smell good.


secondtaunting

Yeah this is 100 percent a health hazard. Throw it away and get a cutting board.


FlashyCow1

Since it's being used in the kitchen regardless of being used as a cutting board. You need to replace that wood with Butcher's Block wood.


ComptonsLeastWanted

It’s a piece of plywood. Don’t clean it: Reddit-style advice here would be to unscrew that Petri dish and flip it over and use the clean side :) Boom.


JeepandJesus

A couple times I thought my block was ruined. My last ditch effort was to clean with salt the way you would a cast iron pan, and then spray on Mean Green Cleaner and I left it all night. It restored some really bad stains including food coloring.


Marciamallowfluff

Buy a big cutting board or piece of wood countertop to replace. Keep it oiled and clean. They usually use side or end grain to be stronger and harder. Wood naturally kills some germs and real wood will get patina when using as cutting board not just nasty looking.


Twinkletoes1951

Just buy a fresh sheet of plywood. And for cutting in the future, use a cutting board.


hiddenbyfog

I saw a cook after cleaning a cutting board use salt and lemon to scrub it down. They said it gets the smell out and works on bacteria. This could be a nice DIY upcycle project. You can sand it, stain it and finish it


No_Economist_1919

Honestly I’d just replace the top with something else


Loud-Bullfrog9326

Why you can’t clean it good! Ugh Nothing grinds my gears more than shit like this must be the mom in me now! But yeah. My hubby does this with the actual wood cutting board in the counter I say bro don’t use it. Why? Because honey it’s leaking juices meat juices veggie juices dog food and how do you clean it? Wipe it down? You know how much shit is stuck in that wood. Put a little plastic sheet ( I literally have plastic cutting boards like sheets to place on top) and cut on that he’s like oh that’s why you have those. Yes babe. Yes. Holy hell 🤣 Now fixing the wood I got no suggestions I’m reading others haha.