How to Clean Your Cutting Boards
4 steps that will help you get rid of bacteria and make your cutting boards last longer
Cutting boards take a beating by design. Whether they’re glass, acrylic, wood, or plastic, you’ll need to follow a few simple rules for use and care. Most important, you’ll need at least two boards if you plan on prepping meat or poultry. Raw meat may contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, and you don’t want to transfer that bacteria to other foods.
"To prevent cross-contamination, designate one cutting board for ready-to-eat items such as bread and fresh produce, and a separate cutting board for raw meat and poultry," says Sana Mujahid, PhD, manager of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. You might want to label the cutting boards so that you can easily tell which is which.
Mujahid says that any board can be safe to use with any food, provided you follow the right procedure. Here, we walk you through how to clean and care for your cutting board.
If you find one of your cutting boards is beyond repair and you’re in the market for a new board, see our review of the best cutting boards.
Step 1: Wash the Cutting Board Regularly
Even if you’re using your wood cutting board just to slice bread, it’s a good habit to wash it after every use as quickly as possible. Use a sponge and hot, soapy water, then rinse with cold water and pat dry with a towel. Never immerse a wood cutting board in water, because that can cause warping. Store the board on its side. In addition to allowing the wood to dry fully, oxygen is a good sanitizer. Plastic and glass boards can go in the dishwasher.
Step 2: Sanitize the Cutting Board Periodically
Every few months, disinfect your wood cutting board with a solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Step 3: Remove Odors
Even with diligent washing and sanitizing, odors might start to cling to your wood cutting board. Tackle them with the one-two combination of lemon and salt. Slice a lemon in half and dip the cut side into a bowl of coarse salt, then rub vigorously into the board. Rinse the board in cold water, pat dry, and store upright.
Step 4: Prevent Warping
A wood cutting board can start to lose its shape over time, especially if you make the mistake of leaving it immersed in water. Open joints in the board can create a trap for bacteria. Try "swelling" the board back into shape by laying it flat and covering it with a damp cloth and heavy books for a few hours. Then let the board air-dry, and wipe it down with mineral oil or vegetable oil.
Time to Buy a New Cutting Board?
Looking for some new options? Check out our recent evaluation of the best cutting boards, or shop our editor’s picks, below.
Carrollar Flexible Plastic Cutting Board Mats
From: $8 for four
Dimensions: 15x12 inches
Where to buy: Amazon, Kmart
Original Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards
From: $25 for three
Dimensions: 16x11.2 inches (large), 13.8x9.6 inches (medium), 11.8x8 inches (small)
Where to buy: Amazon, Gorilla Grip, Walmart
Teakhaus Traditional Edge Grain Professional Cutting Board
From: $100
Dimensions: 24x18x1.5 inches
Where to buy: Amazon, Teakhaus
