No, bamboo cutting boards are not truly dishwasher safe like plastic. Even high quality Moso bamboo boards such as our 45x35cm, 1.8kg Large Bamboo Board should be hand washed and dried upright if you want them to last 5 to 10 years, while a plastic board can usually tolerate daily dishwasher cycles.
Why bamboo cutting boards shouldn’t go in the dishwasher
It is tempting to treat bamboo like plastic and pop it in the dishwasher. The problem is heat, water and detergent. A typical dishwasher cycle uses water at 60 to 70°C for 90 to 120 minutes. That is long enough to:
- Swell and shrink the bamboo repeatedly, which can lead to warping within as little as 5 to 10 washes
- Dry out the natural oils and any conditioning oil on the surface so the board feels rough and fibrous
- Loosen the food safe adhesive that holds laminated bamboo strips together
Plastic boards do not absorb water in the same way and are not affected by the same expansion and contraction. So while some brands label bamboo as “dishwasher safe”, what they really mean is “it might survive a few cycles, but it will not keep its shape or finish for long”.
How to keep bamboo boards hygienic without a dishwasher
If you are used to the convenience of throwing a plastic board in the dishwasher, you might wonder how to keep bamboo just as hygienic. The good news is that proper hand washing is very effective when you follow a simple routine:
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Wash immediately after use
Use hot tap water at roughly 50°C with a small amount of mild washing up liquid. Scrub both sides for 30 to 40 seconds, especially where knives have scored the surface. -
Rinse and dry thoroughly
Rinse under hot water, then towel dry straight away. Stand the board on its edge so air can circulate on both faces. Avoid leaving it flat on a wet surface. -
Disinfect when needed
For raw meat or fish, wipe the board with white vinegar or a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution for 5 minutes, then rinse and dry. This gives you the same peace of mind as a dishwasher cycle without the heat damage. -
Re oil every 4 to 6 weeks
Apply a thin coat of food safe mineral oil or board conditioner. For a frequently used board, plan on 10 to 12 oilings per year. This slows water absorption and helps the board resist stains.
Why Moso bamboo is a strong eco friendly alternative to plastic
Moso bamboo is a fast growing grass, not a hardwood. It can grow up to 90cm in a single day and reaches harvest height in about 5 years. That makes it a more eco friendly material than most plastics and many slow grown woods.
Our Deer & Oak Moso bamboo boards are designed to balance sustainability with everyday practicality:
- Lower knife wear than glass or ceramic, so your knives need sharpening less often
- Denser feel than many cheap bamboo boards, with our large boards weighing 1.8 to 1.9kg for a solid, stable cutting surface
- Pre oiled finish that helps repel water during washing and makes seasoning easier at home
If you want to reduce plastic in your kitchen but still cook daily, a Moso bamboo board is one of the simplest swaps you can make, provided you accept that it will live by the sink, not in the dishwasher.
Plastic vs bamboo: which is better for your routine?
To decide between dishwasher friendly plastic and eco friendly bamboo, think about how you actually cook in a typical week:
- If you run the dishwasher once or twice a day and rarely hand wash, plastic may fit your habits better for raw meat and fish.
- If you are happy to hand wash a couple of boards after each meal, bamboo will reward you with a quieter cutting experience and a warmer, natural surface.
- If you are worried about plastic contact with hot food, switching to bamboo for fruit, bread and vegetables is an easy first step.
Many home cooks end up with a simple mix: one or two plastic boards that live in the dishwasher for raw protein, plus one or two bamboo or wood boards for bread, cheese and vegetables. Our full chopping board collection is designed with that mixed approach in mind.
Deer & Oak bamboo and wood board specifications
Here is a clear comparison of our key boards so you can match the size, weight and material to how you cook and clean.
| Product | SKU | Size (L x W) | Weight | Material | Typical use | Price | Dishwasher safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | Daily prep, family meals | £34.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | Fruit, veg, smaller kitchens | £24.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | Serving, charcuterie, cooked meats | £39.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45x35cm | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | Heavier prep, carving joints | £44.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | Cheese, bread, smaller prep | £34.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45x35cm + 38x28cm | 3.0kg total | Moso Bamboo | Two board rotation for busy homes | £49.99 | No, hand wash only |
Product problem matching: which board solves your issue?
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“I want an eco friendly board but I cook for 4 people most nights”
Choose the Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.8kg. It gives you enough space for family prep and is light enough to move easily to the sink for hand washing. Pair it with a small plastic board for raw chicken if you really want something for the dishwasher. -
“My kitchen is small and my sink is not huge”
The Medium Bamboo Board 38x28cm, 1.2kg fits neatly in a standard UK sink and cupboard. It is ideal if you mostly cook for 1 or 2 people and want to keep washing and drying quick. -
“I entertain often and want something smarter than plastic on the table”
The Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.9kg has a darker finish that works well for cheese and charcuterie. Use it as a serving board, then wipe and hand wash straight after guests leave. -
“I batch cook on weekends and prep several ingredients at once”
Our Bamboo Double Pack gives you both 45x35cm and 38x28cm boards. Use one for fruit and veg and the other for cooked meat or bread so you can rotate while one dries.
Who this is for and who it is not for
Ideal for home cooks who:
- Are happy to spend 1 to 2 minutes hand washing and drying a board after cooking
- Want to cut down on plastic and choose more eco friendly materials like Moso bamboo
- Value a stable, 1.8 to 2.1kg board that feels solid under the knife
- Cook fresh food at least 3 or 4 times a week and are willing to oil a board every month
Not recommended for people who:
- Insist on putting every board in the dishwasher after every use
- Rarely cook and prefer a single, all purpose plastic board they do not need to maintain
- Live in shared kitchens where others will ignore “hand wash only” labels
- Work in commercial kitchens that require constant high temperature machine washing
FAQ
Q: Can bamboo cutting boards ever be truly dishwasher safe like plastic?
A: No, bamboo cutting boards should not be treated as fully dishwasher safe in the same way as plastic. Occasional low temperature cycles might not destroy them immediately, but repeated exposure to 60 to 70°C water and harsh detergents will shorten their life from 5 to 10 years down to as little as 6 to 12 months. Hand washing is the only way to keep bamboo stable and smooth long term.
Q: How long will a Moso bamboo board last if I only hand wash it?
A: With sensible care, a Moso bamboo board like our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board can last 5 to 10 years. That assumes you wash it promptly, dry it upright and oil it roughly every 4 to 6 weeks. Heavy use with sharp knives may add more surface marks, but the structure of the board will stay sound.
Q: Are bamboo cutting boards as hygienic as plastic if they are not dishwashed?
A: Yes, provided you wash them properly. Scrubbing with hot soapy water for at least 30 seconds and letting the board dry completely upright is highly effective. Bamboo also absorbs a small amount of moisture into its fibres, which helps trap bacteria until the surface dries, so it can be just as safe as plastic in everyday home use.
Q: Should I use separate bamboo boards for meat and vegetables?
A: It is sensible to use at least two boards, whether they are bamboo, wood or plastic. Many customers choose a Bamboo Double Pack so they can dedicate one board to raw meat and fish and the other to fruit, bread and vegetables. Colour coding is not essential at home, but clear habits reduce the risk of cross contamination.
Recommended Deer & Oak boards and where to buy
If you are ready to switch from plastic to eco friendly bamboo but will commit to hand washing, we suggest starting with one of these combinations:
- Everyday family cooking – Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.8kg for main prep, plus a small plastic board for raw chicken that can go in the dishwasher.
- Two board rotation – Bamboo Double Pack with 45x35cm and 38x28cm Moso bamboo boards, ideal if you cook most days and want one board drying while you use the other.
- Smarter serving and entertaining – Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm for cheese and charcuterie, supported by a dishwasher friendly plastic board for raw prep.
You can explore our full range of bamboo and acacia boards on the Deer & Oak bestsellers page or browse our board sets if you are building a complete eco friendly chopping station around your existing plastic boards.