Bamboo boards and wooden cutting boards should never be cleaned in the dishwasher!
Continuous and prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and chemicals may cause the bamboo or wood to crack or warp.
Knowing this, bamboo cutting boards should be cleaned in the sink with mild dish soap, warm water, and a sponge.
Bamboo cutting boards make an awesome addition to any kitchen. Bamboo offers some impressive features like durability, gentleness on knives, beauty, and versatility.
When you care for your bamboo cutting boards adequately, they can last for a lifetime.
Of course, they tend to be more demanding in terms of care than a plastic cutting board, but anyone who has them will confirm that they’re definitely worth the extra effort.
The good news is that there are useful tricks you can apply and offer your bamboo cutting boards the care they deserve!
Table of Contents
Can Bamboo Cutting Boards Go in the Dishwasher?
In order to keep your bamboo cutting boards free of cracks and damage, it’s best to not wash them in the dishwasher. Bamboo is durable and quite sturdy; however, it’s not able to withstand the dishwasher.
Namely, the high temperature and harsh detergents can damage this precious material, resulting in warps and cracks. Moreover, if you keep washing this board in the dishwasher, it may swell as a result of being soaked in water.
Although it’s not dishwasher-friendly, a bamboo cutting board or other bamboo utensils are simple to clean and require dish soap and a sponge only.
Besides hand-washing your bamboo cutting boards, you should also oil the board regularly. This protects the material, improves the board’s look, and reduces the risk of cracks and warping.
What Are the Advantages of Bamboo Cutting Boards?
Although the more luxurious bamboo cutting boards tend to be more expensive, there are also quality bamboo cutting boards you can buy for an affordable price.
In addition to versatility in terms of price to suit everyone’s pocket and taste, bamboo cutting boards have so many other benefits to offer. This makes it a must in every kitchen!
Here are some of the best ones:
- Aesthetically pleasing
Bamboo is naturally light and has fine grains.
It adds a unique style to kitchens. Its natural look matches any decor.
It’s resistant to stains from foods and will maintain its natural beauty for a long period of time.
You can find these boards in so many lovely designs and various shapes.
- Long-lasting
Did you know that bamboo is longer-lasting than some plastics and hardwood? It actually boasts a strength similar to that of steel.
So, they’re less prone to scratches and nicks. Give your bamboo cutting boards the care they need and they will not fail you!
- Protects your blades
As it’s a dense material, bamboo is strong enough to resist damage from blades and it’s also easy on them as it’s a natural, self-healing, and softer material.
This helps you keep your favorite blades optimally sharp!
- It’s eco friendly
If you prefer sustainable products, bamboo is ideal for you. It’s natural and grown without pesticides, chemicals, and artificial irrigation.
After it’s harvested, the roots remain in place and the soil doesn’t erode. Being a grass, bamboo is fast in regrowing. Did you know that bamboo can grow up to three feet within a day?
- It’s water-resistant
These boards are non-porous and therefore absorb water less easily.
Unlike other wooden boards, the risk of warps and cracks is lower. But, it’s always better to avoid soaking your bamboo cutting boards in water or cleaning them in the dishwasher.
- There’s something for everyone’s budget
Even though there are luxurious bamboo cutting boards that cost a small fortune, there are also affordable options, even as low as $5.
You can find them in various sizes and shapes to suit your needs and preferences.
It makes a suitable slicing, cutting, and chopping board, serving board for grilled meat, a charcuterie board, etc.
How to Take Proper Care of my Bamboo Cutting Boards?
In order for your bamboo cutting boards to last and stay beautiful for years, you need to take proper care of it.
Below, learn the best ways to keep your bamboo cutting boards in optimal shape!
- Wash them right after use
Never leave bamboo cutting boards soaking in water or with stains from food for a prolonged period of time. Wash them right away using warm water, dish soap, and a sponge.
- Dry it right after washing
Tap the board with a soft cloth to soak up the surplus water. Leave the board to rest on a rack or a stand so that it air dries.
- Don’t use harsh cleaning products
Avoid strong detergents when cleaning bamboo cutting boards.
Opt for lighter dish soaps and warm water. For tougher stains, a bamboo scrubber is ideal.
- Don’t forget to oil it
Bamboo may get drier with time.
With this in mind, oil the board occasionally using food-grade oil. Apply several drops of and then them into the whole board, on each side, using a clean cloth.
Leave the board to dry well before using it.
- Avoid using the dishwasher
The high temperatures and exposure to harsh detergents can damage bamboo and eventually cause it to warp or crack.
Although bamboo is praised for durability and longevity, this type of cleaning should be avoided, as it’s also recommendable with wooden cutting boards.
Final Thoughts
Though bamboo cutting boards can’t go in the dishwasher, they’re so easy to clean in the sink. With mild dish soap, warm water, and a sponge, you can keep them clean and free of cracks and warps.
The dishwasher is a no-go for wooden and bamboo cutting boards because it can damage them. This damage is caused by the extreme heat of the water and the use of harsh detergents.
If you do want a dishwasher-safe cutting board, opt for plastic cutting boards. If you decide to invest in a bamboo cutting board, you’re making an awesome choice.
Bamboo is sustainable, eco-friendly, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and water-resistant.
