How to Wash Bamboo Cutting Boards (Without Ruining Them)

Everyone knows how incredibly sturdy bamboo is. That’s why I wanted my cutting board to be bamboo. Not just for its strength, but also because I am environmentally conscious, I specifically chose a bamboo cutting board. As I explained at the beginning of the article, because I trusted their sturdiness, I used to think bamboo cutting boards were indestructible. I’d just scrub them with whatever sponge was nearby, rinse under hot water, and call it a day. Turns out, that’s precisely how to ruin a bamboo board. If you’ve got one—or a few—and you’re not quite sure how to wash bamboo cutting boards without slowly destroying them, this article is exactly for you.

What I Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

First off, the most important thing to know is that bamboo is not like plastic or even regular wood. It’s more like a compressed, fibrous material, and soaking bamboo is really not a good idea. One day, after using my bamboo cutting board for cooking, I left it in water overnight to clean it. I believed that the grime would dissolve this way. I learned that what I did was a mistake the very next day. My bamboo cutting board looked like a potato chip. Wavy. Unusable. Tragic.

What You Should Do to Avoid Similar Experiences:

My first piece of advice is to wash it quickly. Use minimal water during cleaning and never, ever leave it wet.

• Gentle Cleaning: It’s beneficial to use a soft sponge (not one of those scratchy green monsters) and a mild dish soap.
• Water Temperature: Pay special attention that the water is lukewarm, not hot. Lukewarm water does the job effectively.
• Wash Both Sides: I scrub both sides quickly, even if I only used one. This way, it dries evenly and doesn’t warp.

Here’s something that might seem strange but is true advice: If you only wash one side and it dries unevenly, it can curl up at the edges. It’s like it’s trying to do yoga or something.

Also, don’t be tempted by the dishwasher. I know it feels easy for all of us. It saves effort and time. But seriously, the heat and steam are simply not good for bamboo. It’s like bamboo’s worst nightmare. You’ll pull it out, and it might be cracked, split, or even unglued. This will cause both financial loss and a drop in your morale.

What to Do After Washing:

Let me explain what I do; if it makes sense, you can use it too.

• Upright Drying: I stand it upright in the dish rack so air hits both sides. Drying it flat traps moisture underneath—again, not ideal.
• Moisturize Regularly: Oh, and once a month (okay, whenever I remember), I rub a little food-safe mineral oil or coconut oil onto the surface. Just a thin layer, wipe off the excess, and boom—it looks brand new and doesn’t dry out.

Honestly, once you get the hang of it, it’s super easy. Just think of it like washing your favorite wooden spoon—quick, gentle, and no soaking allowed.

Anyway, if your bamboo cutting board could talk, it would probably just beg you not to microwave it or drown it.