How to Clean and Maintain a Bamboo Cutting Board — Toronto Home Guide

Bamboo cutting boards require slightly different care than solid wood boards because bamboo is a grass with a denser, harder surface that is more resistant to knife scoring but also more prone to cracking when dried out or exposed to excess moisture.

Daily Cleaning

1. Wash by hand with warm water and dish soap immediately after use
2. Scrub with a dish brush — soap is fine on bamboo, unlike some claims to the contrary
3. Rinse thoroughly
4. Dry immediately with a cloth and stand upright to air dry completely — never lay flat while wet, which traps moisture underneath
5. Never put in the dishwasher — the high heat and prolonged moisture exposure causes bamboo to crack and split
6. Never soak in water

Removing Odours and Stains

1. Sprinkle coarse salt over the board surface
2. Cut a lemon in half and use the cut face to scrub the salt across the board in circular motions
3. Let sit for 5 minutes
4. Rinse well and dry

The salt acts as a mild abrasive and the lemon juice deodorizes and helps lift staining. This works particularly well for onion and garlic odours.

Oiling

Oil monthly or whenever the board looks dry or starts to lighten in colour:

1. Ensure the board is completely clean and dry
2. Apply food-grade mineral oil (the standard recommendation) or coconut oil with a cloth
3. Rub into all surfaces including the sides and bottom
4. Let absorb for a few hours or overnight
5. Wipe off any excess with a dry cloth

Tips

• Replace a bamboo board if it develops deep cracks, splits, or mould that persists after cleaning — these harbour bacteria that can't be removed
• Use separate boards for raw meat and produce — bamboo's dense surface is more resistant to knife scoring but not impervious