Bamboo is becoming a super popular material of choice in all sorts of areas, but especially when it comes to kitchen tools. These days you can find everything bamboo, from kitchen utensils to bowls and plates, and even cutting boards!
Bamboo is a great material to go for when looking for something made out of wood. Bamboo is much more sustainable than other forms of wood and has a level of toughness that makes it perform well in the kitchen. Best of all, bamboo wood is truly beautiful and will be a standout on any counter.
Whether you own a few bamboo cutting boards or are looking to invest in your first, it’s good to get a handle on how to properly care for it. Though it is durable, bamboo is still wood, which means it still needs some maintenance and specific cleaning techniques if you want it to last.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about taking care of a bamboo cutting board. This guide will have your bamboo cutting board looking new for many years to come!
How To Wash a Bamboo Cutting Board
When washing a bamboo cutting board, you should use the same techniques you would use with any wooden cutting board. Here’s how to wash your cutting board without causing any lasting damage:
Step One: Remove Food From Board
Your bamboo cutting board should never be soaked in water as it will damage the wood. It’s important to try to remove as many stuck-on food particles as you can before cleaning. Try to scrape food off with a scrub brush or food scraper while your board is dry or only slightly damp.
Step Two: Wash With Soap
Next, hand wash your chopping board with warm water and regular washing soap. You can do this with a sponge or scrub brush. Try to wash both sides of the board.
Step Three: Rinse and Dry
Once washed, thoroughly rinse off any soap on the board. As soon as it’s rinsed, you should dry it as much as you can with a towel. Do not leave it to air dry while it’s still mostly wet, as the wood will absorb that water.
Once it’s mostly trowel dried, leave it drying standing upright on one of its edges. Each of the largest surface areas should be exposed to the open air to get it as dry as possible.
How To Oil A Bamboo Cutting Board
Bamboo cutting boards, like all wooden cutting boards, need to be regularly oiled. The oiling process is seasoning and priming the board between uses. This process will help your board avoid cracking and drying out. It also makes your board slightly hydrophobic, meaning it will absorb fewer bacteria and clean a bit easier.
When oiling any wooden cutting board, you need to use food safe mineral oil. This is important, as mineral oil is a tasteless, odorless oil that will not go rancid. Other oils can damage your board or leave behind lingering tastes and smells. To avoid this, always use a food-safe cooking board mineral oil.
Here is how to properly oil a bamboo board:
Step One: Apply Oil
First, apply a generous amount of food safe mineral oil to the board’s surface.
Step Two: Rub In Oil
Next, using a clean cloth or sponge, coat your board with oil. You should coat both sides and all the edges.
Step Three: Let Sit
Next, let your cutting board sit for a couple of hours. We recommend 2-4 hours.
Step Four: Store Away
After your wood board has sat and absorbed the oil, you can store it away! If there is still excess oil on your board, feel free to wipe it away with a paper towel.
How To Disinfect A Bamboo Cutting Board
If you want to make sure your board is extra clean, there are steps to take. You have to be careful when you disinfect as bamboo is susceptible to damage from harmful cleaning agents. This is how we recommend disinfecting your bamboo cutting board.
Step One: Mix Water and White Vinegar
First, make a water and white vinegar solution. We recommend 1 part white vinegar for 5 parts water. You can add this solution to a spray bottle to apply it easier.
Step Two: Apply to Board
Next, apply the mixture to your board. You can spray it on or apply it with a sponge or cloth.
Step Three: Rub and Rinse
Rub the mixture into your board, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, rinse and clean the board. All germs should be gone!
Thing To Avoid
There are a few things you should always try to avoid when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting a bamboo cutting board.
No Dishwasher, Hand Wash Only
You should never put anything wooden in the dishwasher! Whether it’s a wooden board or a kitchen spoon, the dishwasher is a sure way to damage your wooden utensils.
The dishwasher will expose your bamboo board to a lot of heat and a lot of water. It’s best to clean it in a way that keeps your board as dry as possible, which is why we recommend hand washing only.
Keep Cleaning Chemicals Light
Bamboo and wood are susceptible to damage from more heavy-duty cleaning supplies. While plastic and metal cookware can withstand things like bleach, your bamboo board is a bit too delicate.
Bleach will work to discolor your board and dry it out fast. If you want to disinfect your board, use more natural solutions, like vinegar, lemon, or mild soaps.
