After cutting raw meat or poultry, it is essential to sanitize the board to ensure harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli are killed, preventing contamination of other foods.

To disinfect a wood cutting board, especially after using it to prepare raw meat, soak it in a mild bleach solution (2 tsp. bleach to 1 gallon of water) for 2 minutes.

These cutting board cleaning tips tips from Consumer Reports include advice for washing and sanitizing wood boards, and smart ways to rid cutting boards of odors and fix warping.

“I don't recommend cutting raw meat or ingredients that require deep cleaning on a wood cutting board,” agrees Lonsdale.

The cutting board is the workhorse of the kitchen, and using these important products to properly clean and maintain it ensures bacteria that cause illness don’t linger on its surface.

After using raw meat, chicken or fish, flood the surface or soak your board (as well as your knife) in a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach to a gallon of water for 10 minutes.

We asked experts how to clean wooden cutting boards and to recommend the best products for cleaning. Picks include soap from Mangiacotti, oils and butters from Epicurean, John Boos Blocks, J.K ...

The cutting board is the workhorse of the kitchen, and using these important products to properly clean and maintain it ensures bacteria that cause illness don’t linger on its surface.