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Cleaning your wooden cutting board is essential for preventing cross-contamination in your kitchen.
Alex is the senior home editor for Martha Stewart. She has over 10 years of experience producing digital content in the home and lifestyle space, ranging from cleaning and organizing to etiquette and home design.
Published on October 3, 2023 In This Article In This Article
A cutting board is one of the powerhouses of the kitchen, an integral part of chopping fruits and vegetables and breaking down meat and fish. Because of its many uses, it's all the more important to keep your cutting board clean to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses from bacteria that could make their way into the food you eat.
But there's a right and wrong way to clean your cutting boards. "Cleaning wooden cutting boards is an essential aspect of kitchen hygiene," says Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. "By learning how to clean a wooden cutting board properly, you not only protect yourself and your loved ones from potential health risks but also maintain the quality and longevity of your kitchen tools." We spoke with experts to learn the proper way to clean, sanitize, and maintain your wooden cutting boards.
You should always clean your cutting board after each use, especially if you are using your board to cut raw meat, fish, or poultry. "If you've been working with raw meat, it's especially important to clean it right away as this poses a high risk of cross-contamination of harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli and cause food-borne illnesses," says Toner.
And while you should clean your cutting board after every use, don't skimp on the extra sanitizing steps. "You should also sanitize it at least once a week or more often if you use it frequently," says Goodell David, founder of WoodWorkingClarity.
Gather your cleaning materials. Cleaning your cutting board is easy, and you likely have most of the materials on hand already. Remember to use gentle products so you don't potentially damage the wood. "Dish soap with warm water is one of my favorites," says Sabrina Tretyakova, an ISSA-certified cleaning technician. "Baking soda is a good option if the board develops discoloration. Distilled white vinegar or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide are excellent sanitizing agents."
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Using a mild dish soap and a sponge, gently clean the cutting board in warm, soapy water. "For regular cleaning, hot, soapy water and a brush or sponge should do the trick," says Toner. "Avoid using abrasive scouring pads that might damage the wood."
Once you're finished cleaning your cutting board, make sure to dry it well. "Damp boards become breeding grounds for mold and bacterial contamination," says Tretyakova. "Pat it dry using a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. Absorbent paper towels or blotting paper are good alternatives because they absorb water quickly." Then, stand it upright to allow for good air circulation while it continues to dry out completely.
Now that your wooden cutting board is clean and sanitized, keep these tips in mind to keep it in tip-top shape.
While it might seem like tossing your wood cutting board in the dishwasher is the easiest way to get it clean, stick to hand-washing it. "High heat and prolonged exposure to water can cause the wood to warp, crack, split, or mold," says David. "Wood is a porous material that absorbs water and expands when wet, and contracts when dry. This can cause the wood fibers to break and the glue joints to loosen. The dishwasher can also strip away the natural oils and protective finish of the wood, making it more prone to staining and bacteria growth."
Take steps to protect the wood by using food-grade mineral oil or beeswax on your wood cutting board every month. "Oil or wax can restore the moisture and shine of the wood, as well as create a protective barrier against water and stains," David says. "Use a clean cloth or paper towel to rub the oil or wax into the wood grain and wipe off any excess."
Store your cutting board in a cool, dry place when you're not using it, and avoid stacking other things on top of it or storing it flat on a counter. Doing so can trap moisture and cause mold to grow, according to David. "Store the board upright or hang it on a hook to allow air circulation," he says.
If you begin to notice any cracks or splits, repair them ASAP. "If the board has any cracks, splits, chips, or deep scratches, you should repair them as soon as possible to prevent further damage and bacteria growth," David says. "You can use wood glue, clamps, sandpaper, and mineral oil to fix minor defects on your wooden cutting board."
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