Fix it
Cutting Board Problems? Fixes (2026)
Common cutting board problems: sliding, warping, smells, stains, and deep grooves, and how to fix each one.
Most cutting board trouble comes from care, storage, or a board that never suited the job. Work through these fixes before replacing a board that may only need attention.
The board slides across the counter
Place a damp tea towel or a non-slip mat under the board, which grips most surfaces well enough for normal chopping. For a permanent fix, switch to a board with non-slip feet, like the Epicurean All-In-One, or choose a heavier wooden board whose weight holds it in place. Never chop on a board that moves freely, since that is how knives slip.
A wooden board has warped or cracked
Warping usually comes from uneven drying: one face dries while the other stays wet. Store boards upright so air reaches both faces, dry them promptly after washing, and never soak wood or put it in the dishwasher. A mildly warped board can sometimes be coaxed flat by dampening the concave side and weighting it as it dries, but a cracked board should be retired from food use.
The board smells of garlic or onion
Rub the surface with half a lemon and coarse salt, leave it briefly, then rinse and dry. For plastic and wood fibre boards, a dishwasher cycle usually finishes the job. Persistent smells in deep grooves mean the board is scarred beyond easy cleaning, and that is the signal to replace it rather than keep deodorising it.
Stains will not come out
For wood fibre and plastic boards, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, left on the stain and then scrubbed, removes most discolouration. For solid wood, light sanding followed by re-oiling restores the surface, which is one of wood's real advantages. Turmeric and beetroot stain early and stubbornly, so use a darker or dedicated board for those foods if stains bother you.
Questions, answered
Can I sand a scarred cutting board?
Solid wood boards, yes: sand with progressively finer grit, clean off the dust, and re-oil with food-safe mineral oil. Wood fibre and plastic boards cannot be sanded back meaningfully, so deep scarring on those materials means replacement rather than repair.
Why does my board smell even after washing?
Because liquid and food residue have settled into deep knife grooves or, for wood, into dried-out grain. Deodorising helps briefly, but a board that smells after a thorough wash has grooves that can no longer be cleaned, and it should be replaced.
How should I store cutting boards?
Upright, with air circulating around both faces, either in a stand or in a rack. Stacking boards flat traps moisture between them, which encourages warping in wood and smells in any material. A stand like the Joseph Joseph Nest system solves storage and keeps boards visible.