An unstable cutting board is no cutting board at all, as anyone who’s ever had a mishap just as they began slicing a bell pepper can attest. At best, this is a minor inconvenience, while at worst, it can result in injury.
Whether the cutting board has been warped by normal wear and tear, a manufacturing error, or lack of maintenance is ultimately beside the point when you’re attempting to prep dinner and finding it far more difficult than it should be.
The good news is that there’s an easy fix to prevent your cutting board from slipping and sliding — one that doesn’t require anything you don’t already have in your kitchen. Though you could simply buy a new nonslip cutting board, it’s possible (if not likely) that the universe has conspired against you in such a way that will ensure the problem recurs.
Stop the Slide
All you need for this hack is a kitchen towel or paper towel, both of which will be equally effective. If you opt for the former, a flour sack kitchen towel is best. These are made from thin, tightly woven cotton or linen and are a nod to the flour sacks of the past, which people often reused as towels.
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Whichever towel you choose, ensure that it’s thin and smaller than your cutting board. This prevents the towel from adding unwanted height or sticking out, which could affect the board’s balance.
Thoroughly wet your towel, wring out the excess water, and place it under the board. The moisture creates a gentle suction, preventing the board from sliding or wobbling as you chop, slice, or dice — some much-needed stability that even your onions, carrots, and potatoes will celebrate as their form is forever changed. Once you’re finished, use the same towel to clean your countertop and celebrate this simple tool’s multifaceted usefulness.
