Housekeeping · Kitchen tool care

When to replace a scratched cutting board

Wash and dry boards after use and replace those with deep grooves that cannot be cleaned thoroughly.

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Wood and plastic cutting boards both wear over time. USDA guidance recommends replacing boards with excessive wear or hard-to-clean grooves. Separate boards for raw foods remain important; this guide focuses on washing, drying and assessing wear.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Inspect for cracks, deep knife grooves, separated layers and stains that will not wash away.
After use, wash both faces and edges in hot, soapy water.
Rinse with clean water and allow to dry thoroughly.
If sanitizing, use a product approved for food-contact surfaces and follow dilution, dwell-time and rinsing directions; never mix cleaners.
Use a dishwasher only when the manufacturer's guidance says the board material and construction allow it.
Replace a board with persistent, hard-to-clean grooves or cracks instead of relying on improvised repairs.

USDA FSISHow can I prevent cross-contamination when using cutting boards? ↗USDA advises hot soapy washing between foods and replacing boards with deep hard-to-clean grooves.FoodSafety.gov4 Steps to Food Safety ↗Federal food safety guidance requires washing food-prep surfaces with hot soapy water after each use and separating raw animal products.Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons ↗Previous cover image source retained for attribution. Credit: Rwbaldwin0728 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; original photograph unmodified. · License: CC BY-SA 4.0 · License details: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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