Bamboo Cutting Board Care Guide: Useful Methods You´ll Love

You’ve purchased a brand new and amazing bamboo cutting board and you want to make sure you get the most out of this purchase.  This, of course, means that you need to care for the cutting board.  But, how difficult is this and how does it work?

When you invest in a good kitchen accessories, you want to be able to use them in the best way possible for the longest time possible.  So, if you’re ready for the best experience with a bamboo cutting board, then keep reading.

First Things First

When you bring home a brand new bamboo cutting board, the care process begins at that moment.  The first thing you should do is:

1. Wash the cutting board with gentle dish soap and warm water.
2. Dry the cutting board as best as you can.
3. Apply a layer of food grade mineral oil with a clean, lint-free cloth (get every part of the cutting board).
4. Set the cutting board in an upright position to allow the oil to soak into the board overnight.

Regular Cleaning

It is important to always clean your bamboo cutting boards immediately after using them.  This will help to prevent stains, cracks, and warping.  It will also help to keep them sanitary for the next time you use your cutting boards.  There are several methods you can use to ensure your bamboo cutting board is clean.  These methods are:

The Lemon & Salt Method

To work through this cleaning method, you will need the following items:

• Half of a lemon
• Kosher salt

To work through this cleaning method, follow these steps:

1. Cut the lemon in half
2. Squeeze the lemon over the surface of the cutting board
3. Spread some salt over the surface of the cutting board
4. Use the lemon half to scrub the salt and lemon juice into the surface of the cutting board
5. Leave for 2 hours so that the salt and the lemon juice have time to settle into the wood grains
6. Rinse with water
7. Dry thoroughly

Note: This method provides will both clean and deodorize the cutting board.  It can also help to lift stains.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

To work through this cleaning method, you will need the following items:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Lint-free cloth

To work through this cleaning method, follow these steps:

1. Mix a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar
2. Saturate the lint-free cloth with water-vinegar solution
3. Wipe the surface of the cutting board with the saturated cloth
4. Spread some baking soda over the surface of the cutting board
5. Scrub the board with the cloth
6. Rinse with water
7. Dry thoroughly

Note: This method will clean, deodorize, and disinfect the cutting board.

The Hydrogen Peroxide Method

To work through this cleaning method, you will need the following items:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• Lint-free cloth

To work through this cleaning method, follow these steps:

1. Pour the hydrogen peroxide over the surface of the cutting board
2. Wait for the peroxide to stop fizzing
3. Rinse and wipe the peroxide off the surface of the cutting board
4. Dry thoroughly

Note: This method will clean and disinfect the cutting board.

The Essential Oil Method

To work through this cleaning method, you will need the following items:

• White vinegar
• Lemon Essential Oil 
• Melaleuca Essential Oil
• Spray Bottle

To work through this cleaning method, follow these steps:

1. Mix the vinegar and the essential oils in the spray bottle
2. Spray the vinegar-oil mixture onto the surface of the cutting board
3. Rinse the board with clean water
4. Allow the board to dry thoroughly
5. Oil the board
6. Wax the board

Note: This method will deodorize and disinfect the cutting board.

Moisturizing is a Must

The best way to keep your bamboo cutting board in tip-top shape is to keep it moisturized.  You should regularly apply a coat of oil and beeswax to your cutting board to limit splintering and cracking.  Here is the method for doing so:

1. Cover the entire surface of your cutting board with oil so that it is dripping off the sides.
2. Rub the oil in to every part of the cutting board by using a clean, lint-free cloth.
3. Allow the cutting board to dry in a vertical position overnight.
4. Coat the cutting board in a layer of food grade beeswax.

Keep It Cool and Dry

Bamboo cutting boards can suffer if they are kept in a place that has too much humidity.  When you store your bamboo cutting boards, be sure they are kept in a place that does not get wet and is not near a source of direct heat.  

Also, make sure you thoroughly dry your bamboo cutting boards after washing them and before storing them.  The best way to dry a bamboo cutting board is to use a clean, dry towel to wipe off excess water, then set the board in a vertical position to dry for a few hours.  When it feels dry, store it away in a horizontal position.

Roughing It

If a bamboo cutting board begins to get rough in places, you can use a 40 to 60 grit piece of sandpaper to smooth it out.  Once it is fairly smooth, you can polish the surface with a 120 grit piece of sandpaper.  Be sure to dust off the residual dust particles and oil the surface before using the cutting board.

Always & Never

There are a few tips that every owner of a bamboo cutting board should remember.  These tips fall into one of two categories, always or never.  The tips included in the always category are things that should be done regularly when cleaning a bamboo cutting board; whereas, the tips in the never category are things that should not be done to a bamboo cutting board.  Let’s walk through each of these tips now.

Always

• Dry your bamboo cutting board after washing it
• Oil your bamboo cutting board each week
• Store your bamboo cutting board horizontally or hanging from a hook (this prevents the board from bending)
• Store your bamboo cutting board in a dry place
• Wash your bamboo cutting board immediately after using it
• Wax your bamboo cutting board when you oil it

Never

• Microwave your bamboo cutting board
• Put your bamboo cutting board in a hot oven (this will cause the glue holding it together to melt)
• Put your bamboo cutting board into a dishwasher
• Set your bamboo cutting board in a horizontal position to dry
• Soak your bamboo cutting board in liquid
• Store your bamboo cutting board in direct sunlight

Concluding Thoughts

Bamboo Cutting Boards are such an amazing product and kitchen utensil.  Sure, they have their quirks, but all in all, they are wonderful.  They are stylish, beautiful, functional, versatile, and very helpful with meal prep.  

With this guide you will never wonder what to do with your bamboo cutting board.  Splinters and cracks are not going to bother you, and even a little stain won’t send you into panic mode.  And one day, years from now, when your bamboo cutting board is no longer able to keep up with its kitchen duties, you can be sure that it will live on as part of your home décor or as a way to organically feed your plants.  Just a little information and education and you are unstoppable in the kitchen.