# Disinfecting plastic cutting board... with what I have on hand? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2010, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539 "2010-01-19T07:48:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/21 "2010-01-20T04:21:38Z")
[http://earthhopenetwork.net/hazard\_warning\_home\_cleaners.htm](http://earthhopenetwork.net/hazard_warning_home_cleaners.htm) > [@](#): > > A type of glycol ether is frequently found in popular cleaning products such as Windex Aerosol, Formula 409, Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol and Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner, says the report released today by Women’s Voices for the Earth, a Montana-based nonprofit working to eliminate or reduce toxic chemicals in the home. > > The chemical, called ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE, is on California’s list of toxic air contaminants. Some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. Relatively speaking, bleach doesn’t sound quite so bad now, does it? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![meflin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@meflin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meflin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/22 "2010-01-20T04:40:08Z")
bleach cheap ( very cheep ) effective ( very effective ) The only other good choice is 160F+ temp dishwasher both are better Meflin ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/23 "2010-01-20T05:23:35Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Because to be honest, bleach is one of the best disinfectants around for kitchen applications when used properly. In the OP, he/she is seemingly terrified by this simple chemical because of the dire warnings put on the label … because some morons can’t seem to use it safely. It sounded like she ran out of it and wanted to sterilize something right then. I think yo can see in that case why the answers to use bleach were puzzling. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/24 "2010-01-20T05:34:45Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > It sounded like she ran out of it and wanted to sterilize something right then. I think yo can see in that case why the answers to use bleach were puzzling. He. 🙂 **rowrbazzle** : I suppose, but then, I don’t need to wear gloves and goggles when I use Formula 409, do I? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/25 "2010-01-20T11:25:13Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > That, and I don’t own eye goggles, which the label insists I must use in order to use bleach. 🙂 It also calls for gloves, but you really need neither if you dont insist on pouring it on your hands, or splashing it around. Do you see the persons in the bleach ads on TV wearing goggles and gloves? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/26 "2010-01-20T12:09:39Z")
Plus Formula 409 doesn’t typically come in the large quantities that bleach does, so I think people tend to use more bleach than needed. If you read the label for appropriate dilution instructions, use in proper amounts, and don’t mix with improper things like ammonia, you’re really only in danger from bleach spots on fabric if you splash/touch something accidentally. (Yes, I know there’s no bleach in the house.) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539/27 "2010-01-20T12:23:08Z")
I really like these [flexible plastic cutting boards](http://www.amazon.com/MIU-Flexible-Cutting-Board-Set/dp/B00011RTE8). I have been using them for years. I’m sure I paid far less than the Amazon price at Ikea and have several unopened sets. You just throw them away when they get scored. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disinfecting-plastic-cutting-board-with-what-i-have-on-hand/525539.md?page=1)