No, don’t put your wood cutting board in the dishwasher. It causes the board to unglue and to deteriorate. As a rule, these cutting boards are made of either end blocks of wood or glued flat grail. Your dishwasher cleans by using heat and water to get rid of dirt and stains. But this extended period in contact with the high temperatures and moisture causes wood to warp and crack.

Here is a look at what this does this do to your wooden cutting board:

• Causes it to look unattractive
• Makes the cutting surface uneven
• Makes the wood deteriorate and the pieces to unglue
• Makes it easier for bacteria and mold to breed

Bacteria and mold are the last things you want in your food preparation area. The cracks that form from prolonged exposure to heat and water trap food particles. The microbes then feed on the particles and multiply. This can cause food-borne illness.

Cleaning your board is actually a simple process. It won’t take much longer than putting it in the dishwasher. Some don’t even need to be washed. For example, you can simply brush off crumbs from a bread cutting board and hang it up.

When you cut meat or produce, rinse the board in very hot water. Then add a gentle detergent and use a scrubber and elbow grease to clean it.

If you cut raw meat, the final step in your cleaning process is sanitizing your board. You can use a spray of one part vinegar and four parts water, or one tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again and air dry.

Air drying is essential because water causes warping. Don’t put your wooden cutting board away in a drawer until it is thoroughly dry. The easiest approach is to hang it up on the wall or lean it against the wall after you clean it.