No, you should not put a bamboo chopping board in the dishwasher. The high heat, pressurised water and long cycles can cause a Moso bamboo cutting board to warp, crack and lose its natural oils in as little as 3 to 6 months, instead of lasting 5 to 10 years with simple hand washing.
Why bamboo chopping boards don’t belong in the dishwasher
Bamboo is a natural, eco-friendly material that behaves a lot like hardwood. It is tough, slightly porous and full of natural fibres and oils. A dishwasher cycle usually runs at 60 to 70°C with strong detergents for 90 to 150 minutes. That combination is harsh on any wooden or bamboo kitchen board.
When you put a bamboo chopping board in the dishwasher, three things tend to happen:
- Warping: The board absorbs water unevenly, then dries too fast, which can bend a 45x35cm board so it rocks on your worktop instead of sitting flat.
- Cracking and splitting: Repeated cycles dry out the fibres, so small hairline cracks appear, especially around juice grooves and handle cut outs.
- Loss of protective oil: The detergent strips away food safe oils that protect the board, making it rough, dull and harder to clean properly.
So if you are asking “can I put a bamboo chopping board in the dishwasher and keep it for years?”, the honest answer is no. If you want long life from an eco-friendly Moso bamboo board, hand washing is the only sensible option.
How to clean a bamboo cutting board safely
If the dishwasher is out, what is the best way to keep a bamboo kitchen board hygienic? Here is the method we recommend for every Deer & Oak Moso bamboo board, from our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board to our 38x28cm Medium Bamboo Board:
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Wipe immediately after use
Scrape food into the bin, then wipe the board with a damp cloth. Avoid leaving tomato, raw meat juices or curry sitting on the surface for more than 10 to 15 minutes. -
Wash by hand
Use warm water, a small amount of mild washing up liquid and a soft sponge or brush. Wash both sides of the board, even if you only used one side. This keeps moisture more even and helps prevent warping. -
Rinse and dry straight away
Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a clean tea towel. Stand the board upright on its edge or in a rack so air can circulate around both faces. -
Disinfect occasionally
For a deeper clean, you can wipe the surface with a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and water, then rinse and dry. For smells, sprinkle fine salt or bicarbonate of soda, rub with half a lemon, leave for 5 minutes and rinse.
Used like this, a quality Moso bamboo chopping board can easily give you 5 to 10 years of daily service without ever seeing the inside of a dishwasher.
Simple care to keep bamboo eco-friendly and long lasting
Bamboo is already one of the most eco-friendly board materials. It grows to full height in about 3 to 5 years, compared with 30 to 50 years for many hardwoods. Looking after your board so it lasts longer is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste in your kitchen.
At Deer & Oak, we pre oil our bamboo boards so they arrive ready to use. After that, we suggest a quick top up every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how often you cook.
How to oil your bamboo chopping board
- Make sure the board is completely dry, with no damp patches.
- Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of food safe mineral oil or board oil onto the surface.
- Rub in with a soft cloth, working with the grain, including the edges and any juice grooves.
- Leave to absorb for at least 20 to 30 minutes, or overnight for a very dry board.
- Wipe off any excess so the surface is smooth and not greasy.
Regular oiling and hand washing create a simple system that keeps your eco-friendly bamboo cutting board looking smart and working well, without the damage caused by dishwashers.
What to use if you absolutely need a dishwasher safe board
Some cooks want a board that can go in the dishwasher every single day. In that case, bamboo and acacia are not the right materials. You will need a plastic or composite board that is specifically labelled dishwasher safe. Those are practical for raw meat or quick prep, but they do not have the same natural feel as Moso bamboo.
If you like the look and feel of wood but want lower maintenance, you can keep a dedicated dishwasher safe plastic board for raw chicken and keep your bamboo for bread, fruit, vegetables and serving. Many Deer & Oak customers do exactly that.
Deer & Oak chopping board specifications
Here is a quick comparison of some popular Deer & Oak boards, including our eco-friendly Moso bamboo options that should always be hand washed.
| Product | SKU | Size (L x W) | Weight | Material | Dishwasher safe? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | No, hand wash only | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 cm | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | No, hand wash only | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | No, hand wash only | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | No, hand wash only | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 cm | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | No, hand wash only | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 cm + 38 x 28 cm | 3.0 kg | Moso Bamboo | No, hand wash only | £49.99 |
Product problems and the right Deer & Oak solution
Here are a few common chopping board problems and which Deer & Oak product solves them best.
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Problem: My old plastic board is scarred and stains easily
Solution: Upgrade to a Moso bamboo board. The Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.8kg gives you a stable, generous surface that is kind to knives and resists deep scarring. Hand wash and oil lightly and it will outlast several plastic boards. -
Problem: I want a darker, richer looking board for serving
Solution: Choose the Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.9kg. It has a deeper tone that looks smart on the table but still needs the same no dishwasher rule as natural bamboo. You can see it on Amazon as our carbonised bamboo board in the UK. -
Problem: I need one board for prep and one for serving
Solution: The Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK gives you a 45x35cm board and a 38x28cm board together at 3.0kg total weight. Use the larger for everyday chopping and the medium for cheese or bread. Both are Moso bamboo and should be hand washed. You can find this set on Amazon as our bamboo chopping board double pack. -
Problem: I want a heavier, more traditional wooden feel
Solution: Our Large Acacia Board 45x35cm, 2.1kg adds extra weight and a rich grain. It is still not suitable for the dishwasher, but it gives you a more substantial board that pairs nicely with a separate dishwasher safe plastic board for raw meat.
Who this is for and who it is not for
Ideal for:
- Home cooks who want an eco-friendly Moso bamboo chopping board that will last 5 to 10 years with simple hand washing.
- People who enjoy the feel of natural materials and are happy to spend 1 to 2 minutes washing a board by hand after cooking.
- Hosts who want a board that can double as a serving platter for cheese, bread or charcuterie.
- Anyone looking to move away from thin, noisy plastic boards to something more stable and kinder to knife edges.
Not recommended for:
- People who insist on putting every single item, including boards, in the dishwasher every day.
- Commercial kitchens that run multiple hot sanitising cycles and need fully dishwasher safe boards by regulation.
- Users who prefer ultra light, flexible plastic mats they can roll or bend into the bin.
- Anyone unwilling to oil a board for 5 minutes every couple of months.
FAQ: Bamboo chopping boards and dishwashers
Q: Will my bamboo chopping board be ruined after one dishwasher cycle?
A: One cycle will not always destroy a bamboo board immediately, but it can start the damage. You may not see warping or cracks straight away, yet the fibres will dry out and the protective oil will be stripped, which shortens the life of the board with each wash.
Q: How often should I oil a Moso bamboo cutting board?
A: For daily use, oiling every 4 to 8 weeks is usually enough. If your kitchen is very dry or the board looks pale and feels rough, you can oil it a little more often, about once a month, to keep the surface sealed and easier to clean.
Q: Is carbonised bamboo more resistant to dishwashers than natural bamboo?
A: No, carbonised bamboo is not more dishwasher friendly. The darker colour comes from heat treatment, but the underlying structure is still bamboo, so it is just as vulnerable to warping, cracking and drying out in a dishwasher and should always be hand washed.
Q: What is the best way to disinfect a bamboo kitchen board after cutting raw meat?
A: Wash the board straight away with hot water and washing up liquid, then rinse well. After that, wipe with a mild bleach solution or white vinegar solution, rinse again and dry upright. Avoid soaking the board or leaving it standing in water for more than a few minutes.
Recommended Deer & Oak boards and where to buy
If you are ready to move to eco-friendly Moso bamboo and are happy to skip the dishwasher, we suggest starting with one of these:
- Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG 45x35cm, 1.8kg, Moso bamboo, pre oiled, hand wash only. Ideal as your main chopping surface.
- Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK 45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg total, Moso bamboo, pre oiled, hand wash only. One board for prep, one for serving.
- Carbonised Bamboo Board DNO-CBB-LG 45x35cm, 1.9kg, carbonised bamboo for a darker look, pre oiled, hand wash only.
You can explore all our chopping boards on the Deer & Oak site in the chopping board collection or browse our current bestsellers. For easy ordering and reviews, you can also find our bamboo sets on Amazon, including the extra large bamboo chopping board and our bamboo double pack for UK kitchens.
Keep your bamboo out of the dishwasher, give it a quick wash by hand, and it will quietly look after your knives and your cooking for years.