Bamboo Cutting Board Use and Care

How to Care for Your Bamboo Cutting Board

Bamboo is actually a grass, not a wood. It’s a renewable resource, and can be harvested in 1-5 years, depending on the species, rather than hardwood trees which take 30-40 years to mature.

Caring for bamboo, however, is very similar to caring for wood – keep it clean, don’t let it soak in water, and condition it periodically.

Do NOT wash bamboo in the dishwasher.
Rinse your bamboo cutting board right after use to prevent food from getting stuck on.
If you DO have stuck on food, use your nail or the dull side of a knife to scrape it off.
Wash your bamboo cutting board in warm, soapy water, with a microfiber cloth to remove food particles.
Try not to let your cutting board sit in water for an extended period of time.
Although bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, it is a good idea to avoid cutting raw meat on it. If you do prepare dishes containing raw meat or raw eggs on the board, you can wipe the surface with a dilute bleach solution (about 1 teaspoon of liquid bleach per quart of water), let sit for a few minutes, then wash as usual.
Dry the cutting board with a clean towel, and stand to complete drying so that both sides dry thoroughly before you store the board.
If your cutting board starts to look or feel dry, re-hydrate it with mineral oil, or bamboo conditioning oil. To use the oil, apply several drops to a clean cloth and rub all over both sides of the board. Repeat this process if necessary. Let it cure for a day or two before using again so that all the oil can be absorbed.