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A bamboo cutting board is stronger, more durable, and more hygienic than a wooden cutting board. They also look great and are a more sustainable material than wood. [1] They do, however, require special care and maintenance in order to prevent them from being damaged. You will need to wash your bamboo cutting board quickly and carefully so that it does not warp or crack. If your bamboo cutting board gets stained or starts to smell, there are easy, natural ways to restore it. To keep your bamboo cutting board in prime condition, you will also need to coat it in mineral oil occasionally.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Washing a Bamboo Cutting Board

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Wash your bamboo cutting board immediately after use, and do not wash it for more than a few minutes. You should also prevent hot water from coming into contact with bamboo because it can damage it. [2]
    • Do not use an abrasive material to scrub your bamboo cutting board. Rub the board with your hands or a soft cloth if you need to remove larger pieces of food.
  2. Bamboo is sensitive to heat and moisture, especially over prolonged periods. Do not put your bamboo cutting board in the dishwasher or let it soak in the sink, or it will warp and develop cracks.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Make sure to get all of the soap and food residue off of the cutting board by holding it under the running water. Even though the water is not hot, you want to limit the board’s exposure to water, so rinse as quickly as you can. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    As soon as your board is rinsed, dry it off with a soft towel. After you have dried it with a towel, stand it up vertically and allow it to air dry. [4]
    • Air drying the board can take a few hours.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains and Odors

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Ideally, you should do this immediately after you have washed and rinsed your cutting board, but before it has been dried. Apply extra salt to any stained areas. The salt will act as an abrasive material for scrubbing and it will soak up excess moisture. [5]
    • If you are dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, apply some baking soda instead. [6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Lemon juice will kill bacteria and remove odors from the bamboo. Hold the citrus side of the lemon against the board. Press it into the salt and move it back and forth in a scrubbing motion until the salt has disappeared. [7]
    • Make sure you also scrub the corners and edges of your board.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Spread the salt out evenly. Do not scrub off this second layer of salt.
    • Your cutting board should still be somewhat wet from the lemon juice when you apply this second layer of salt. Do not dry the lemon juice off of your cutting board.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    If you cannot leave it out over an entire night, you should let the salt stay on the board for at least 2 hours. [8] The lemon juice needs time to penetrate the wood, and the salt will then soak up the excess moisture.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Use the back of a spatula to scrape off the salt. Take a damp clean cloth and wipe off any remaining residue. [9]
    • You can reuse this salt until it is no longer white. Just scrape it into a container and store it.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Performing Regular Maintenance

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Pour the mineral oil into a small pan and heat it on the stove until it is warm to the touch. You do not want it to be hot, just warm enough so that the oil soaks into the bamboo. [10]
    • Only use food grade mineral oil on your bamboo cutting board.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Only do one of the large flat sides at a time so that the oil will spread more evenly. Don’t forget to oil the corners and edges.
    • The oil will create a protective barrier that keeps enough moisture in the board to prevent cracking from dryness, but keeps enough water out to prevent warping.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    Spread the oil around the board using the cloth to get an even coat. Rub with the grain if your bamboo cutting board’s grain has a uniform direction. If it doesn’t, buff in the oil using a small circular motion. [11]
    • Once the oil has soaked into one side of the board, repeat the process with the other side and the edges.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
    If you are able, you may let the oil soak into the bamboo overnight. Position the board upright on one of its edges while you let the oil soak in. [12]
    • After the board has soaked, wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth.
    • Make sure that you set the oil-soaked board on a surface that will not be damaged by oil stains. Putting it on a plate or an air-dry dish rack would be ideal.
  5. Prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and even direct sunlight can cause damage to a bamboo cutting board. Try not to store it with objects that might scratch it like sharp knives and metal utensils. [13]
    • You should only need to oil your cutting board 1 or 2 times a month. Some people prefer to treat their cutting boards with oil after every use. This can be time consuming, but it does offer more protection for your cutting board.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I sanitize my wood cutting board?
    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    You can disinfect a wood cutting board by dipping a cloth into hydrogen peroxide and wiping the board with your cloth. Then, you can deodorize the board with white vinegar or rub a cut lemon over it and rinse it off with water.
  • Question
    Is it safe to use hot water on a cutting board?
    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    No, don't use hot water on your bamboo cutting board, as it might damage it.
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      Tips

      • To reduce the chance of cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods. Because bamboo is porous, you might consider either never cutting raw meat on it, or only using it for raw meat. [14]
      • A bamboo cutting board will last longer if you only use it for specific purposes. To preserve the bamboo for the longest amount of time, do not use it when you are chopping tough, acidic, or abrasive foods.
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      References

      1. https://www.campchef.com/blog/how-to-care-for-bamboo-cutting-board.html
      2. Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      3. https://www.campchef.com/blog/how-to-care-for-bamboo-cutting-board.html
      4. Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      5. Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      6. https://healthy-cookware.com/cleaning-and-maintenance-of-bamboo-cutting-boards/
      7. Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      8. https://www.mythirtyspot.com/properly-clean-bamboo-cutting-board/
      9. https://www.mythirtyspot.com/properly-clean-bamboo-cutting-board/

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        Mar 20, 2021

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