No, you shouldn’t put bamboo chopping boards in the dishwasher. A 60–70°C dishwasher cycle with harsh detergents can warp, crack and dry out bamboo in as little as a few washes, cutting the lifespan of a good Moso bamboo board from 5–10 years down to under 1 year.
Why bamboo chopping boards don’t belong in the dishwasher
Bamboo is naturally tough and eco-friendly, but it’s still a natural material that reacts to heat, water and chemicals. In a dishwasher your bamboo cutting board is exposed to:
- High heat for 60–120 minutes which can cause warping and splitting
- Strong alkaline detergents that strip the natural oils from the fibres
- Prolonged soaking that swells the bamboo and weakens glue lines
The result is often a board that twists, develops hairline cracks and feels rough instead of smooth. That’s why every Deer & Oak bamboo and Moso bamboo board, including our Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm and Bamboo Double Pack, is labelled hand wash only.
How to clean bamboo chopping boards safely
If you can’t put bamboo chopping boards in the dishwasher, how do you keep them hygienic? The good news is that it only takes 2–3 minutes after cooking.
Step by step cleaning routine
-
Wipe immediately
Scrape off food with a spatula. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove surface residue. -
Wash by hand
Use warm water around 40°C with a mild washing up liquid. Clean both sides with a soft sponge. Avoid soaking for more than 2–3 minutes. -
Rinse and dry
Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a tea towel. -
Air dry upright
Stand the board on its side or in a rack so air can circulate on both faces. Don’t leave it flat on a wet surface.
Deep cleaning after raw meat or fish
After cutting raw chicken, meat or fish on your bamboo board:
- Wash as above straight away
- Spray or wipe with white vinegar and leave for 5 minutes
- Rinse and dry upright
For extra odour control, sprinkle a teaspoon of coarse salt and half a lemon over the surface, scrub, then rinse. This keeps a board like the Medium Bamboo Board 38x28cm fresh without any need for a dishwasher cycle.
How to stop bamboo boards from cracking and drying out
If you keep your bamboo chopping board out of the dishwasher and follow a simple care routine, it can last 5–10 years of daily use.
Oiling schedule
Every 4–6 weeks (or more often in a very dry kitchen):
- Use a food safe mineral oil or board conditioner
- Apply 1–2 teaspoons per side
- Rub in with a soft cloth following the grain
- Leave for 20–30 minutes, then wipe off any excess
All Deer & Oak boards, including our single bamboo chopping boards and board sets, come pre oiled so you start with a well protected surface. Regular top ups keep the fibres supple and help resist water.
Bamboo vs carbonised bamboo vs acacia in real kitchens
Not all wooden and bamboo style boards behave the same. If you know you’ll be tempted to put a board in the dishwasher, it’s worth choosing the right material from the start.
- Moso bamboo (like our Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG) is light, strong and eco-friendly. It prefers hand washing and rewards you with a smooth surface that is kind to knife edges.
- Carbonised bamboo (like DNO-CBB-LG) is heat treated for a deeper colour. It still shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, but the darker tone hides stains from beetroot or turmeric nicely.
- Acacia wood (like DNO-ACB-LG) is denser and a little heavier. It also must be hand washed, but the extra weight feels very solid for heavy chopping.
If you want one board that can live out on the counter for everyday prep, the extra large bamboo board on Amazon UK gives you a generous working area and stays manageable to lift at around the 1.8–1.9kg mark.
Specifications table: Deer & Oak chopping and cutting boards
Here’s a clear comparison of our most popular eco-friendly chopping boards so you can match the size and weight to your kitchen and cooking style.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Dishwasher safe? | Typical lifespan* | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0kg (set) | Moso Bamboo | No hand wash only | 5–10 years with care | £49.99 |
*Lifespan based on daily use, kept out of the dishwasher, with oiling every 4–6 weeks.
Who this is for
Ideal for...
- Home cooks who want eco-friendly Moso bamboo chopping boards and are happy to hand wash for better longevity
- People who care about knife edges and prefer a board that is kinder to blades than glass or ceramic
- Busy families who like having separate boards for meat, vegetables and bread, such as the Bamboo Double Pack on Amazon UK
- Hosts who want a board that doubles as a serving piece for cheese or charcuterie
Not recommended for...
- Anyone who insists on putting all kitchen boards in the dishwasher every time
- Commercial kitchens that rely on high temperature sanitising cycles several times a day
- People who prefer ultra light plastic boards that they can bend or colour code
- Those who don’t want to oil a board every few months and would rather replace plastic boards more frequently
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can you put bamboo chopping boards in dishwasher if you use a gentle cycle?
A: No, even a gentle or eco cycle still uses hot water and detergents that damage bamboo fibres and glue lines over time. You might not see a problem after 1 or 2 washes, but repeated cycles will cause warping, cracking and dryness that shortens the life of the board.
Q: Is Moso bamboo more dishwasher safe than other bamboo?
A: Moso bamboo is strong and eco-friendly, which is why we use it in Deer & Oak chopping boards, but it still isn’t dishwasher safe. The issue is not the bamboo species, it’s the combination of heat, water and chemicals in the dishwasher that affects all natural bamboo boards.
Q: How often should I replace a bamboo cutting board?
A: With hand washing and regular oiling every 4–6 weeks, a quality bamboo board can last 5–10 years. You should consider replacing it if you see deep knife grooves that you can’t clean properly, or any cracks that run right through the board.
Q: What should I use if I really need a dishwasher safe board?
A: If you must use the dishwasher, choose a polypropylene or similar plastic board that is clearly marked dishwasher safe. Keep your bamboo or wooden boards, such as our carbonised bamboo or acacia ranges, for hand washed tasks where you want a more natural cutting surface.
Our recommendation: eco-friendly boards that stay out of the dishwasher
If you’re happy to hand wash for 2–3 minutes, a bamboo chopping board will reward you with years of service and a more pleasant feel under the knife than hard plastic. For most home cooks we suggest:
- Everyday prep: Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm (DNO-BCB-LG) for roomy chopping and slicing
- Smaller jobs: Medium Bamboo Board 38x28cm (DNO-BCB-MD) for fruit, herbs and sandwiches
- Stylish serving and darker finish: Carbonised Bamboo Board on Amazon UK for a rich, warm tone that looks smart on the table
If you like having more than one board ready to go, our Bamboo Double Pack combines the 45x35cm and 38x28cm Moso bamboo boards at a better price than buying individually. For heavier work or as a centrepiece, you might also enjoy our premium butcher’s block or the full acacia sets available in our bestsellers collection.
Keep your bamboo chopping boards out of the dishwasher, give them a quick hand wash and oil them every few weeks, and they’ll stay smooth, safe and ready for daily cooking for many years.