Bamboo cutting boards are stronger and more resistant to damage than wooden ones. Bamboo utensils are also considered safer and more hygienic than those made of wood because bamboo does not absorb liquids as easily and has mild natural antimicrobial properties.
To extend the life of your bamboo board and keep it looking new, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and care. Bamboo cutting boards do not require much maintenance to maintain their functionality and beautiful appearance.
Here are some basic tips for properly caring for bamboo cutting boards.
1. How to Condition Condition a Bamboo Cutting Board Before Use
Before first use, you must seal and care for your new and untreated bamboo board with food-safe mineral oil. Apply the oil to a clean rag and rub it thoroughly over your board. Stand the board upright and leave it overnight to allow the oil to harden. The oil coating creates a protective seal that repels water, prevents cracking, and provides a beautiful, smooth finish.
2. Washing
Never put your bamboo cutting board in the dishwasher as the heat will damage the protective oil coating and the board may come out warped. Soaking the board in water to wash it can also cause deformation.
It is recommended to clean the board immediately after use to prevent stains. Scrape off the food residue with a spatula and then wash the surface with mild detergent and water. Make sure the board is not exposed to the water for longer than necessary. Rinse under hot running water and dry well with a clean tea towel. Then stand the board upright and let it air dry for a few hours.
3. Cleaning Stubborn Stains
Do not use chemical cleaners to remove food stains from a bamboo cutting board. To remove stains from colorful foods, use coarse salt or baking soda. There are two options for this:
1) Cover the dirty area with coarse salt. Rub the salt into the stain with a damp cloth or sponge. Add more salt and repeat the process until the stain is gone.
2) Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and wipe with a damp cloth. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then rinse your cutting board and dry it with a towel.
4. Deodorizing
To deodorize a smelly cutting board, sprinkle salt on it and squeeze half of the lemon while rubbing it across the surface. Leave the mixture on the board for at least 2 hours to allow the lemon and salt to penetrate the surface and counteract odors. Rinse the board, dry it with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture, and allow it to air dry.
5. Disinfecting
Although bamboo has mild antiseptic properties, you will need to disinfect your board regularly. Additionally, your cutting board needs to be disinfected every time it comes into contact with raw meat, poultry, and seafood. To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods.
White vinegar is a natural cleaning and disinfecting agent with powerful antimicrobial properties. Soak a cloth in a solution of vinegar and water (one-to-one ratio) and rub it over the board. Spread some baking soda over it. Scrub the stains with a sponge. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then rinse the board and wipe it with a dish towel.
Another option for disinfection is to use a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, which is non-irritating, environmentally friendly, and works well as a surface disinfectant.
Do not put vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same bowl or apply them to the same towel as these ingredients interact and form a base.
Once completely dry, treat the board with mineral oil.
You can also use earth-friendly, organic Castile-based soap, formulated without harmful additives, to clean and disinfect bamboo or wooden utensils in one step.
Do not put your bamboo cutting board in the microwave to disinfect it as overheating will damage the cutting board.
6. Restoring
To restore a dried-out cutting board, use a sheet of fine sandpaper to sand the surface again and make the surface smooth again. Remove all dust and wash the board with hot, soapy water. Allow it to dry completely and coat the bamboo again with mineral oil.
To fix a warped cutting board, soak it in warm water for a few hours. Place it on a flat surface and place another flat object on top of it. Place a heavy object (or several heavy objects) on top to flatten the board.
7. Oiling Bamboo Cutting Boards
To refurbish your old and dry cutting board, you need to treat it with oil. This treatment ensures a beautiful shine and prevents the bamboo from drying out and cracking. Apply a food-grade mineral oil once or twice a month to revitalize bamboo and maintain its shine. Using cooking oils to condition your board is not recommended as these oils have less shelf life than mineral oil and will go rancid.
Pour some pure mineral oil onto the surface and use a tightly woven, soft cloth to spread the oil over the entire panel. Apply the oil in the direction of the grain if possible, or in a circular motion if the grain runs in multiple directions. Set your treated board aside for at least an hour to allow the oil to absorb. Before storing, wipe off excess oil with a clean cloth.
Repeat the process once or twice a month or when your board looks dry and discolored. Once the bamboo is saturated with the oil, you can condition it less frequently.
Some care products use food-grade mineral oil in combination with natural waxes. This combination can make the board more water and stain-resistant than when using pure mineral oil. The viscosity of beeswax makes it easier to apply the product to the board. These cutting board conditioners absorb the bamboo/wood better when warmed up before application.
If you are looking for a natural formulation without synthetic additives, Bartow and Sons Vegan Cutting Board Oil could be a good choice. This vegan formulation is made from treated coconut oil and citrus essential oil. Bartow Board Oil is refined to ensure that the oil does not go rancid and leave behind odors and tastes.
8. Storage
Hang or store your bamboo cutting board in a dry and cool place where air can circulate. To protect the board from extreme heat, do not place it near the stove or other hot places. Do not place pans or other hot items removed from the stove on the board. To minimize the risk of bending, store your clean and dry cutting board horizontally. To prevent mold growth, do not place it in the basement or other rooms with high humidity in the house.
Seasoning and sealing? This is hilarious because no one in Asia does any of this, and we keep our cutting boards, whether wood or bamboo, for decades. Heck, bamboo ware originated in Asia so we’re not exactly inexperienced. Just scrub and clean them along with the pans and dishes. The boards may not look pretty but they do their job and we save so much time and money on cleaning and maintenance. As for looking pretty, some of us have a separate board as a serving surface, e.g. a western style cheese board.
fantastic!
just as this elderly ozzie g mum does… I’m still using my g ma’s cutting boards and we don’t get sick from either the anti-bacterial/microbial old wooden or the new bamboo.