How to care for a bamboo cutting board is a very important concern when you own a wood cutting board.
Bamboo is a sustainable, fast-growing resource and is tougher than other wood types. This material is gentler with your knives and a real beauty too.
Now that you know everything, taking care of your bamboo boards is essential.
It needs the same care as wooden boards, such as deep cleaning and oiling.
When you do this, you ensure that the board lasts long.
Let’s get into it!
Is Bamboo Good as A Cutting Board?
Yes! Bamboo is a good material to use as a cutting board because it is grass and not wood.
It consists of something called cellulose fibers, which make it very strong, and lignin, which makes it nice and flexible.
Bamboo has a lot of these fibers, so that’s why it is the best to use.
Bamboo is a good material for cutting boards because it has the same feel and texture as wood cutting boards, such as cherry and maple.
The bamboo board is firm enough to handle repeated slicing and chopping without dulling your trusty knife.
It is also elastic, so it does not crack or warp easily.
Bamboo grows super fast, so you’re making a sustainable choice when using bamboo cutting boards.
Making bamboo cutting boards is not damaging to the environment, as the resource grows back quickly.
(cutting on a bamboo cutting board)
How to Care for Bamboo Cutting Boards
While it is not technically wood, like olive wood, you still have to take care of your bamboo cutting board.
Bamboo is not a low-maintenance item and will be ruined if you neglect it.
Here are some tips and tricks on caring for your bamboo cutting boards.
How to Wash
Washing your bamboo board is important after each use. Here’s how you do it:
- First, you must run the board under warm water to remove any remaining food stuck on it. If the food remains are not coming out, soak it for 5 minutes and not a minute longer.
- Use a soft sponge to scrub the board, making it clean. Please do not use any rough sponges, as they will damage the surface.
- Rinse the board properly with clean water. Ensure that all the soap residue is all out.
- You can dry the board using a clean towel. Once it is dry, leave your bamboo board to air dry. Do not put it away in a closed area or anything like that, as it will not dry.
- Store your bamboo cutting board in a cool, dry area. The best place is usually on your countertop, as it is open with air flowing all the time. A humid environment will make the board warp and crack.
(bamboo cutting board used as a serving board)
How to Deep Clean
Deep cleaning is also good for taking out stubborn smells, dirt, stains, and anything that may be stubborn on the board.
Usually, you would use a strong solution and a gentle scrub to take out the build-up.
Here are some ways you can deep clean the bamboo cutting board:
- Lemon solution- Lemon is a great way to take out smells. Lemon is a natural disinfectant and is not as harsh as bleach. You can use an equal part of lemon juice and water solution and put it on the board. Leave it for about half an hour, then rinse it all off.
(cleaning solutions)
- Coarse salt– This is a good and gentle way to remove stains and odors from your bamboo board. Sprinkle some over the board and scrub it slowly with a paper towel in circles. Salt will take away extra moisture and break down those nasty stains.
- Vinegar and baking soda- Yet another great way to take away odors and tough stains from your bamboo board. Sprinkle some baking soda on your board, then put vinegar. Leave it for 5 minutes, then rub it off using water and a sponge. Rinse and dry as normal.
The Types of Oils to Use on a Bamboo Cutting Board
Maintaining your bamboo cutting board means you have to oil or season your board.
This oiling ensures that no excess water gets into the board and there’s enough water in the board to keep it from cracking.
Food-safe mineral oil is the best oil to use to season your bamboo board. This is because it is tasteless and works very well.
If you like a more natural approach, you can use beeswax. It hydrates your board well and leaves a wonderful shine, so it looks pretty in your kitchen.
You cannot use any cooking oils, though, such as sunflower, olive, coconut, corn oil, and more. This is because these oils can turn bad and ruin the board.
(beeswax)
Conclusion
Taking care of your precious bamboo cutting board is key to making sure that the life of the board is prolonged and looks its best.
Cleaning after you use it and oiling it once a month will surely keep it in tip-top condition.