Bamboo cutting boards are less porous than wooden cutting boards, which means they absorb less odors and residue from food. With the right level of care and maintenance, you can keep your bamboo cutting boards looking clean and pristine for a long time!
In this article, we'll provide ways you can clean, deodorize, and season your bamboo cutting board with some household kitchen staples like vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Seasoning your bamboo cutting board will help keep it waterproof, and create a protective seal to prevent bacteria and mold buildup. Here's how:
Clean Bamboo Cutting Board: The Lemon Juice and Salt Method
What You'll Need
- Lemon half
- Fine salt
- Coarse sea salt
- Baking soda (optional)
Step 1: Wash Your Bamboo Cutting Board
The process of cleaning a bamboo cutting board is similar to cleaning a wooden cutting board, and the same method can be used to clean a plastic cutting board as well. First, wash away any remaining residue left over from food preparation. Wash the cutting board with some gentle soap and water, and rinse well.
Step 2: Squeeze Lemon Juice
Pat dry with a clean cloth, and squeeze the juice of half a lemon all over the surface of the bamboo board. Do not discard the lemon rind as you can use this to scrub your cutting board clean later on. Make sure the juice completely covers the surface of the board.
Step 3: Add Salt to Cutting Board
Add a mixture of fine and coarse salt to the board, along with a sprinkle of baking soda, if using. Baking soda is optional but recommended, as it reacts with the acidic lemon juice to remove stains from the board. The mixture of fine and coarse salt ensures you can scrub the grime away from even the smallest of crevices.
Step 4: Scrub the Bamboo Cutting Board
Use the lemon rind as a scrubbing tool. Scrub in a gentle, circular motion, and keep scrubbing until you no longer see any visible stains. If you're cleaning more than one cutting board, separate cutting boards by use, and clean the cutting board used for cutting fruits and vegetables first, before moving to the one used for cutting raw meat, and seafood.
Step 5: Rinse Cutting Board Well
Rinse the cutting board well afterwards. Make sure you remove all the lemon, salt, and baking soda residue as it may cause your food to take on the flavor of the bamboo board. Let the board dry completely before seasoning it, preferably under even direct sunlight.
Clean Bamboo Cutting Board: The Baking Soda and White Vinegar Method
What You'll Need
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Scrubber
Step 1: Wash Your Bamboo Cutting Board
As usual, wash the cutting board like you normally would. Doing so will remove any residue from food preparations, such as vegetable juices, oils, and residue from cutting raw meat. Use a gentle soap and some warm water to clean the cutting board.
Step 2: Dry, and Apply White Vinegar
Use a clean towel to wipe the cutting board dry, and apply a generous amount of vinegar all over the surface of the board. Vinegar is a common cleaning solution used to clean even plastic and wooden boards, and is safe to use on bamboo.
Step 3: Sprinkle Baking Soda All Over Cutting Board
Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda all over the cutting board immediately. Let the solution bubble. This reaction will work to remove deep seated dirt, and lift any stained area on the cutting board. The same cleaning solution can be used on a wood cutting board as well.
Step 4: Scrub the Bamboo Cutting Board
Use a scrubber or brush to scrub the bamboo cutting board until you can no longer see any remaining stains. Keep scrubbing in a gentle but firm circular motion, going over the entire surface of the cutting board. Get into the crevices and notches made by your knives using a small scrub brush, or use an abrasive scrubber. Rinse the board to remove any residue.
Seasoning Your Bamboo Cutting Board
What You'll Need
- Food grade mineral oil OR
- Board cream
- Cloth or paper towels
Step 1: Choose Your Oil
Choose the type of oil to use on your bamboo cutting board. Bamboo cutting boards require frequent oiling, so a good, food grade mineral oil or board cream would be a worthwhile investment to keep your cutting boards in tip top condition longer. Oiling bamboo cutting boards every month or so should keep the material in pristine condition.
Step 2: Apply Oil, and Soak Bamboo Cutting Board Overnight
Apply a generous amount of oil all over the bamboo cutting board, making sure to get the mineral oil deep into the crevices of the cutting board. Unlike plastic cutting boards, bamboo cutting boards are porous, and will eventually absorb the oil after a few hours. However, bamboo is a less porous material than wood, so let the oil soak overnight for the best results.
Step 3: Wipe Away Excess Oil
The next morning, the oil should have seeped deep into the bamboo cutting board. You can then use a clean cloth or paper towel to carefully remove as much excess moisture and oils as possible. Keep wiping until the board is no longer oily, and the paper towel no longer absorbs any more oil from the cutting board.
Tips to Maintain Your Bamboo Cutting Board
Bamboo cutting boards are not known for their durability, and they tend to get fuzzy after daily wear and tear. Keep the good condition of your bamboo board longer with our maintenance tips and tricks:
- Sanitize your bamboo boards with hot water. Pour hot water over the board's surface, and let it cool completely before drying.
- Make sure your boards are dry before storing them to prevent a build up of mold and bacteria.
- Avoid using heavy force when cutting on a bamboo board. Similar to wood cutting boards, bamboo ones can splinter and get damaged from heavy use.
Clean Up Your Kitchen
Cooking can be a fun pastime, but preparing food in an unclean environment is not only unsanitary, it can put a damper on your fun in the kitchen. Make kitchen cleanup convenient with our cleaning services at Luce Home!
Looking for more kitchen cleaning tips? Check out our blog for more cleaning articles to get your kitchen to a pristine state!
