No, wooden cutting boards should not go in the dishwasher. Even one 70°C dishwasher cycle can warp, crack and strip the natural oils from wood, which can cut the life of a good board from 5 to 10 years down to a few months. Hand washing with hot soapy water and quick drying is the safest way to keep wooden boards clean and long lasting.
Why wooden cutting boards can’t go in the dishwasher
Dishwashers are designed for ceramics, glass and some plastics, not natural wood. A typical dishwasher cycle combines high heat, powerful jets of water and long exposure to moisture. For a wooden board this creates three specific problems:
- Warping The board absorbs water unevenly, then dries unevenly, which can twist or cup the surface so it no longer sits flat.
- Cracking and splitting Repeated hot cycles pull moisture out of the wood too quickly, opening up cracks where bacteria can hide.
- Stripped protective oils Any conditioning oil is washed away, leaving the surface dry, rough and more likely to stain or absorb odours.
This applies to all Deer & Oak wooden and bamboo boards, including our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board, 38x28cm Medium Bamboo Board and 45x35cm Large Acacia Board. None of them should ever go in the dishwasher.
How to clean wooden cutting boards safely
If you are used to loading everything into the dishwasher, hand washing can feel like a chore. In reality it only adds 30 to 60 seconds to your washing up and will often double or triple the life of a quality board.
Step by step cleaning routine
- Scrape Remove food scraps with a scraper or the flat side of a knife.
- Wash Use hot water (around 45 to 50°C) with a mild washing up liquid and a soft sponge or brush.
- Rinse Rinse thoroughly so no soap remains on the surface.
- Dry Pat dry with a clean tea towel, then stand the board on its edge so air can circulate on both sides.
- Sanitise when needed After raw meat or fish, wipe with white vinegar or a mix of 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach in 1 litre of water, then rinse and dry.
This routine works for all Deer & Oak boards, including our single bamboo and acacia boards and our board sets.
How to stop wooden boards smelling or staining
One reason people ask if wooden cutting boards can go in the dishwasher is to tackle smells from garlic, onions or raw meat. You do not need a dishwasher to solve that. A couple of simple kitchen staples work better and are much kinder to wood.
For odours
- Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of coarse salt over the board.
- Cut a lemon in half and scrub the salt into the surface with the cut side.
- Leave for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry upright.
For stains
- Make a paste with 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of water.
- Rub gently on the stain with a soft cloth for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Rinse and dry, then re oil if the area looks lighter than the rest of the board.
How often to oil your wooden cutting board
A dishwasher cycle strips oils out of wood in a single wash. Hand washing, on the other hand, allows you to control moisture and top up protection when needed. For most home kitchens we suggest:
- Every 3 to 4 weeks if you use your board daily.
- Every 6 to 8 weeks if you use it a few times a week.
Use a food safe mineral oil or a board conditioning oil. Avoid olive oil or other cooking oils that can go rancid.
Quick oiling method
- Make sure the board is completely dry, ideally left upright for 12 to 24 hours.
- Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil onto the surface of a 38x28cm board or 2 to 3 teaspoons for a 45x35cm board.
- Rub in with a lint free cloth, following the grain, including the sides and any juice grooves.
- Leave for at least 20 minutes, wipe off any excess and stand upright overnight.
All Deer & Oak boards, including our Bamboo Double Pack and Carbonised Bamboo Board, arrive pre oiled so you start with a well protected surface.
Deer & Oak wooden boards and dishwashers: what happens if you try it?
People often want a simple yes or no answer to “can wooden cutting boards go in the dishwasher” because they are tempted to put them in just once. Even a single cycle can cause noticeable damage:
- Within 1 wash the surface can feel rough and dry.
- Within 3 to 5 washes lighter boards like bamboo often start to warp or develop hairline cracks.
- Within 10 to 15 washes many boards become permanently twisted or split, especially at the ends.
If you have already put your board through the dishwasher a few times, you can sometimes rescue it by sanding and re oiling, but you will rarely get back the original flat, smooth finish.
Deer & Oak chopping board specifications
All boards in this range are designed for hand washing only. The table below shows the exact sizes, weights and materials so you can choose the right board for your kitchen and your storage space.
| Product | SKU | Size (L x W) | Weight | Material | Price | Dishwasher safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | £34.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 cm | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | £24.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | £39.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 cm | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | £44.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 cm | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | £34.99 | No, hand wash only |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 cm + 38 x 28 cm | 3.0 kg (set) | Moso Bamboo | £49.99 | No, hand wash only |
Who this is for
Ideal for:
- Home cooks who want a board to last 5 to 10 years and are happy to hand wash for 1 minute after use.
- People who care about protecting knives and prefer the feel of natural wood under a blade.
- Anyone building a small collection of boards for meat, vegetables and serving, such as our acacia board sets or extra large bamboo boards.
Not recommended for:
- Households that want every item to go in the dishwasher without exception.
- Shared kitchens where boards are likely to be soaked in water or accidentally run through the dishwasher.
- People who prefer ultra light, flexible plastic mats that can be folded and machine washed at high temperatures.
FAQ
Q: Can wooden cutting boards go in the dishwasher if I use the cool cycle?
A: No. Even a cool or eco cycle still involves long exposure to water and detergents that can swell the wood and strip its oils. You might not see damage after the first wash, but over 3 to 5 cycles the risk of warping and cracking increases sharply.
Q: How do I disinfect a wooden cutting board without a dishwasher?
A: After washing with hot soapy water, you can wipe the board with white vinegar or a diluted bleach solution, then rinse and dry upright. For everyday use, this level of cleaning is enough to keep boards like our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board hygienic for both meat and vegetables.
Q: What should I do if my wooden board has already been in the dishwasher?
A: Let it dry completely for 24 hours, then inspect for cracks and warping. Lightly sand any rough areas with fine sandpaper, wipe clean and apply 2 to 3 coats of food safe oil, allowing at least 20 minutes between coats. If it is badly twisted or split, it is safer to replace it.
Q: Are bamboo cutting boards more dishwasher safe than solid wood?
A: No. Bamboo is slightly more water resistant than some woods but it is still a natural material bonded with food safe glues. High heat and prolonged moisture can weaken those bonds and cause swelling, so boards like our 38x28cm Medium Bamboo Board should always be hand washed.
Final recommendation
If you are choosing a board and want to know whether wooden cutting boards can go in the dishwasher, the clear answer is no. For a long lasting, knife friendly surface that will serve you for 5 to 10 years, pair a good hand washing habit with a well made board.
For everyday family cooking, we recommend the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK). You get one 45x35cm board for bread, roasts and large veg and one 38x28cm board for fruit and quick prep, both pre oiled and ready to use. You can find it on our Deer & Oak bestsellers page or directly on Amazon UK. If you prefer a darker look, our Carbonised Bamboo Board offers the same hand wash only care with a richer tone that suits modern kitchens.