{"id":2598,"date":"2017-04-20T20:17:38","date_gmt":"2017-04-21T02:17:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.lazerdesigns.com\/?p=2598"},"modified":"2023-03-31T11:01:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T17:01:24","slug":"how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-bamboo-cutting-board-from-a-real-life-mom-of-5-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-bamboo-cutting-board-from-a-real-life-mom-of-5-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board: Bamboo Cutting Board Care Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"yui_3_16_0_1_1441982573670_6652\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_2601\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2601\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4893556519_b209febae4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2601\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4893556519_b209febae4-300x185.jpg\" alt=\"Photo Credit: Jennuine Captures Photography via Compfight cc \" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4893556519_b209febae4-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4893556519_b209febae4.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2601\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/48995219@N05\/4893556519\/\">Jennuine Captures Photography<\/a> via Compfight<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/2.0\/\">cc<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A bamboo cutting board is an excellent kitchen companion in more ways than one.<br \/>\nNot only is bamboo an eco-friendly material, it is a <strong>sustainable alternative to wood or plastic cutting boards<\/strong>.<br \/>\nBamboo is becoming more popular because it <strong>fights bacteria naturally<\/strong> &#8212; and if that isn&#8217;t a plus, I don&#8217;t know what is!<br \/>\nAt Lazer Designs, we get a lot of people asking how to clean a bamboo cutting board as well as general bamboo cutting board care questions..&nbsp; Is it okay to use bleach?&nbsp; Can you put it in the dishwasher?&nbsp; We have the answers!<br \/>\nOnce you have your bamboo board &#8212; or if you&#8217;re already reaping the benefits of bamboo &#8212; <strong>here are some tips on how to maintain the magic.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life<\/span>:<\/h2>\n<p>As a stay-at-home mom of 5 kids 6-years-old and under, I&#8217;ll tell you what you SHOULD do for best care, and what I sometimes do when the girls hanging on my legs. <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>What Happens in Real Life.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"yui_3_16_0_1_1441982573670_6652\">\n<h2>How to Care for a Bamboo Cutting Board<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Before<\/em> using your bamboo cutting board for the first time (I know, it&#8217;s so hard to<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/Merchant2\/graphics\/00000001\/prod\/TBCB7832Clg.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"146\"> wait!), <strong>coat it lightly with revitalizing mineral bamboo cutting board oil<\/strong>.&nbsp; This will help seal the board and keep anything from seeping in.<\/li>\n<li>Reapply our food-grade mineral oil once a month if you only use the board occasionally, or once a week if you use it more often.<\/li>\n<li>Apply enough to coat the entire board with a thin coat<\/li>\n<li>Apply the mineral oil to the cutting board with a soft cotton cloth&#8211;no sandpaper allowed!<\/li>\n<li>Once the oil is applied, let the cutting board rest for a minimum of 20 minutes, but preferably overnight.&nbsp; Wipe down your board to remove excess oil and rinse before use!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Mineral oil is recommended because continued use of vegetable or grain based oils can cause the board to become rancid.)<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Often I just wash a new cutting board, but I do try and give it a light coat of oil before or after first use. On the boards I didn&#8217;t do this on, they seem to be fine.<br \/>\nThe thicker the board, the less likely to warp and crack over time of not being oiled. I often use olive oil or cooking oil since it is already on the counter.<\/p>\n<h2>But where do I find mineral oil?<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 150px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/revitalizing-cutting-board-mineral-oil-board-care-kit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/Merchant2\/graphics\/00000001\/prod\/CAREKIT-4_150x110.jpg\" alt=\"Bamboo Care Kit\" width=\"150\" height=\"110\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cutting Board Care Kit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We offer it in a handy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/revitalizing-cutting-board-mineral-oil-board-care-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">gift sized Care Kit<\/a>, ready to gift with your boards. Add bamboo cutting board oil on to your board purchase for a special price, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/revitalizing-cutting-board-mineral-oil-board-care-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">buy it in bulk here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Or head over to your local pharmacy or big box store&#8217;s pharmacy department and look in the laxatives area. Or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/John-Boos-Mystery-Butcher-ounces\/dp\/B00063QPYQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">buy it on Amazon.<\/a><br \/>\nOther oils you can use include beeswax and carnauba. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bambu-Bamboo-Goo-8-Ounce-Nourishing\/dp\/B0012UYUHG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bamboo Goo on Amazon for a mix of oils.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>How often should I oil my board?<\/h2>\n<p>Try once a month, though you may find that if you use your board every day and the finish is looking dry, you&#8217;ll need to increase those bamboo cutting board oil sessions.<br \/>\nWe have heard some people say they only do it seasonally (4 times a year), but that means the board really needs it by the time we oil it.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes I have time to oil my cutting board. About as often as I have time to clean my laundry that&#8217;s piling up in various rooms.<br \/>\nI would love to oil my boards every month &#8211; in reality, I get to it around every season &#8211; 4 times a year. <strong>Results<\/strong>? On higher end and thicker boards, like Totally Bamboo boards, I don&#8217;t see any impact and have had the same board for 8 years. On thinner or non-brand name boards, sometimes they will warp a tad, which usually works itself out (see below) or isn&#8217;t enough to bother me.<\/p>\n<div id=\"yui_3_16_0_1_1441982573670_6652\">\n<h2>How to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board<\/h2>\n<p>For acceptional bamboo cutting board care follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After you use the board, <strong>wash it with a mild detergent and warm water<\/strong>.&nbsp; Give that bad boy a nice little bubble bath.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/Merchant2\/graphics\/00000001\/TBCB1330-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"247\" height=\"177\"><\/li>\n<li>Wipe the cutting board dry immediately after washing.<\/li>\n<li>Do not let liquids pool on the cutting board for more than a few minutes, or they could start to seep in and stain.<\/li>\n<li>Do not put your bamboo cutting board in the dishwasher. (unless you have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/greenlite-dishwasher-safe-cutting-boards-10588\">dishwasher safe cutting board<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Do not soak your bamboo cutting board in water or any other liquid.<\/li>\n<li>Do not put the cutting board in the microwave, convenient though it may seem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Don&#8217;t let liquids pool on the cutting board? Hah! You should see the liquids I deal with every day.<br \/>\nI know I know, I shouldn&#8217;t let it sit&#8230; sometimes it happens, and if I was cutting strawberries it leaves a nice red mark if I don&#8217;t wash it right away.<br \/>\nI wash with soap once everyone is down for nap. Unless I am down for a nap. Or when I get to the dishes. The strawberry stains don&#8217;t always come out with that wash, but do on the next 2 or 3 washes next time I use the board.<br \/>\n(see below for some tips on getting stains out)<\/p>\n<h2>My cutting board has warped! What do I do?<\/h2>\n<p>No worries! It is possible to flatten that once-flat cutting board &#8211; <strong>just get it wet, place it on a flat surface, and put a heavy pan, pot or large baking dish on top.<\/strong><br \/>\nIt should flatten out within a few hours (or up to 8 hours). Some people say to put a wet towel on top of&nbsp;the board (under the baking dish). You may want to oil it again once done, since we just got it wet.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I&#8217;ve never had a board warp so bad I couldn&#8217;t use it &#8211; but I have &#8230; encountered&#8230;. or caused &#8230;. boards to warp by not washing\/drying right away. To me, keeping the kiddos happy is more important than an-always-flat-board, and they usually work the warp out over the next week (the cutting boards, not the kids).<br \/>\n<strong>Solution<\/strong>? Gift or buy a thicker board! 3\/4&#8243; boards don&#8217;t warp, just the 1\/4&#8243; ones. Thicker boards are quite a bit heavier. I still prefer the thinner ones.<\/p>\n<h2>Oops! What if I already got a stain on the board?<\/h2>\n<p>Not to fear. Not only are veggie stains not a hazard to our health, but they can be removed to get your bamboo back to its original glow. The solution? Salt!<br \/>\nUse a sponge to rub coarse salt over the board, focusing on the stain, then rinse and dry the board.<br \/>\nIf there is also an odor that goes along with the stain, you can get rid of it with a paste of baking soda and water. Just rub the paste over the board, rinse, and dry!<\/p>\n<h2>How to Sanitize a Cutting Board<\/h2>\n<p>It is recommended that you <strong>do not use your bamboo cutting board with meat<\/strong>, poultry or fish.&nbsp; The bamboo is porous and the bacteria from the meat can be absorbed by the board.<br \/>\nCan you imagine fish and chicken juices soaking into your cutting board?&nbsp; Yikes!&nbsp; So, it&#8217;s probably better to keep your cutting board on a vegetarian diet.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/Merchant2\/graphics\/00000001\/TBCB1820lg_2_274x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"232\" height=\"148\"><strong>If you do decide to use it for meat anyway<\/strong>, it&#8217;s best to keep one board specifically&nbsp;for meat, and one for vegetables.&nbsp;You don&#8217;t want&nbsp;your veggies getting contaminated by meat juice, especially if you&#8217;re eating the vegetables raw.<br \/>\nIn any case,&nbsp;<strong>you must sanitize the cutting board properly<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sanitize your cutting board if it comes in contact with raw meat&#8211;<strong>every time<\/strong>, without fail or excuse.<\/li>\n<li>To sanitize, use a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or vinegar,&nbsp;according to your state food inspector&#8217;s recommendations.<\/li>\n<li>If you go with the vinegar solution, the recipe is 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water.&nbsp; <strong>After each use for meat<\/strong>, use a sponge to rub the solution into the board.<\/li>\n<li>Rinse the board completely after sanitizing, and it will look good as new.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I find it easier to use a glass cutting board for cutting my meats so I don&#8217;t have to worry about the fuss of sanitizing. I focus on sanitizing 4 sets of fingers instead (6 if you count mine and my hubby&#8217;s).<br \/>\nIf you take good care of your cutting board, it will give you a lifetime of rewards in return.<br \/>\nIf this seems like a lot of work, don&#8217;t worry about it!&nbsp; Once you and the bamboo get into a routine, it&#8217;ll be like second nature.&nbsp; Plus, <strong>taking care of your cutting boards this way will help them last for years and years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">What Happens in Real Life &#8211; Summary<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I don&#8217;t see caring for bamboo as that much extra work &#8211; as you can see from my notes above. But I do prefer it (lighter, easier to handle, quieter cutting) to the alternatives.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bottom line that I do with decent results<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Wash<\/strong> it with the other dishes<\/li>\n<li>Let it air <strong>dry<\/strong> with other dishes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oil<\/strong> it once a season.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Happy cooking!<\/p>\n<div id=\"yui_3_16_0_1_1441982573670_6652\">Now, with all of bamboo&#8217;s splendid pros in mind, and now that you know how to take care of your purchase, <strong>go out and buy yourself and your friends (hint: Awesome wedding gift) a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/custom-cutting-boards\">good-lookin&#8217; engraved bamboo cutting board<\/a> and enjoy all the benefits.<br \/>\n<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you haven&#8217;t picked one out yet and you&#8217;re not sure where to start, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/custom-cutting-boards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">look no further<\/a>!&nbsp; And if you have any more questions about how to maintain your board, we&#8217;re always happy to help.<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 4134px; left: 428px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A bamboo cutting board is an excellent kitchen companion in more ways than one. Not only is bamboo an eco-friendly material, it is a sustainable alternative to wood or plastic cutting boards. Bamboo is becoming more popular because it fights bacteria naturally &#8212; and if that isn&#8217;t a plus, I don&#8217;t know what is! At &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-bamboo-cutting-board-from-a-real-life-mom-of-5-kids\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;How to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board: Bamboo Cutting Board Care Guide&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[36,108],"class_list":["post-2598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-personalized-gifts","tag-bamboo","tag-product-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6180,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598\/revisions\/6180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lazerdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}