How to clean & maintain your bamboo cutting boards
Cutting boards are one of the most used kitchenware items. We want to help you protect and maintain your bamboo cutting boards so that you can keep them in top condition for years to come!
To reduce bacteria, please wash your cutting board immediately after use. Wipe the cutting board with hot soapy water, rinse with hot water only & wipe it dry with a clean dish towel. Store in a dry area.
*Important*
- Never submerge in water
- Do not place in a dishwasher or microwave
Keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy to disinfect & deodorize your cutting board. Acetic acid (white vinegar) is a great disinfectant for E. Coli, Salmonella & other household bacteria. Spray the vinegar on the cutting board, let it sit for a few minutes & then wipe with a damp warm cloth.
Create a non-toxic cleaning agent by combining:
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 3 tablespoons of hot water
Mix these ingredients together & scrub the entire surface of the cutting board. Wipe with a warm wet cloth and then dry with a dish towel.
For an all-natural clean, start by dampening the cutting board with a warm cloth. Then sprinkle coarse salt all over the board. Cut a lemon in half and scour the cut side of the lemon over the board, while slightly squeezing the lemon juice out. Let the board stand for five minutes & use a scrub brush to remove the excess.
Note that your cutting board must be clean & dry before applying any of these conditioning options.
Combine mineral oil & beeswax in order to obtain the penetrating qualities of mineral oil, with the sealing qualities of beeswax.
Step 1: in a small saucepan, combine:
- ¼ cup of beeswax (pellets or chunked for quicker melting)
- 1 cup of mineral oil
Stir constantly on low heat until the beeswax is completely dissolved. If the temperature is too high, the beeswax will discolor.
Step 2: remove from heat and let the mixture stand for a minute. Pour the mixture into a sealed jar and let it cool for a few hours, stirring once or twice every hour to ensure that it is well blended. If you skip the stirring, the mixture won’t be as homogeneous.
Step 3: using a small cloth, rub the paste on the board until absorbed and let it stand for 5-15 minutes. With a clean cotton cloth, buff in a circular motion until the finish is smooth.
Mineral oil is the most commonly used option because it is a safe and cost effective way to keep your wood cutting board looking great for years. Food safe mineral oil can be purchased at your local drug store or major retailer.
Apply the mineral oil using a clean cloth & spread evenly over the board. Let the oil set in for a few hours — or even let it sit overnight if you can. Afterward, wipe the excess oil off using a dry cloth.
Things to avoid:
- Vegetable oil
- Nut-based oil
Do not use vegetable or nut-based oils on your cutting board for the simple reason that it will spoil and become rancid. This will leave your wood cutting board with an unpleasant small that will also noticeably change the taste of the food you are preparing.
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