No, you should not put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher. Even a single 70°C dishwasher cycle can warp, crack and strip the natural oils from wood, cutting its lifespan from 5 to 10 years down to just 1 to 2 years. If you want a board that lasts, you need to hand wash it and choose a board designed for that kind of care.
Why you should keep wooden boards out of the dishwasher
Wood and dishwashers simply don’t get along. A dishwasher uses high heat, aggressive detergents and long soak times. Wood prefers short contact with warm water, mild soap and time to dry naturally.
Here is what typically happens when a wooden board goes into the dishwasher more than once or twice:
- Warping: One side dries faster than the other, so the board bends and no longer sits flat.
- Cracking and splitting: Repeated soaking and rapid drying open up joints and end grain.
- Raised grain and rough surface: The fibres swell, the surface turns fuzzy and becomes harder to clean properly.
- Stripped oils: Detergent pulls out protective oils, leaving the board dry and more prone to stains and odours.
For example, a well cared for Deer & Oak Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) can comfortably last 5 to 10 years in a busy home kitchen. Put it through the dishwasher twice a week and you may start to see cracks and warping within 12 to 18 months.
How to clean a wooden cutting board properly
If you can’t put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher, how do you keep it hygienic? The answer is quick, simple hand care that takes less than 2 minutes.
- Rinse immediately: After use, scrape off food, then rinse under warm (not boiling) water.
- Wash by hand: Use a soft sponge or cloth with a tiny amount of mild washing up liquid. Scrub both sides to keep the board balanced and flat.
- Disinfect safely: For raw meat or fish, wipe with white vinegar or a solution of 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 250ml water, then rinse.
- Dry upright: Pat dry with a clean tea towel, then stand the board on its edge so air can circulate around both faces.
- Condition with oil: Every 3 to 4 weeks, or whenever the surface looks dry, apply a thin coat of food safe mineral oil.
If you follow this routine with a board like our Large Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.8kg), you can expect many years of daily use without warping, even though it never sees the inside of a dishwasher.
Choosing the right type of wooden board for hand washing
All Deer & Oak boards are designed for hand washing, not dishwashers, but different woods behave slightly differently with water and detergent.
- Moso bamboo: Naturally dense and about 15 to 20 percent lighter than many hardwoods. Our Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) and Medium Bamboo Board (38x28cm, 1.2kg) stay flat when washed by hand and dried on edge.
- Carbonised bamboo: Heat treated to a rich caramel colour. The Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg) is slightly heavier and very stable, ideal for cooks who chop a lot of vegetables and bread.
- Acacia wood: Naturally oily and water resistant. Our Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) and Medium Acacia Board (38x28cm, 1.5kg) respond well to regular oiling and are kind to knives.
If you want a matched set for a typical family kitchen, the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK, 45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg) gives you one generous board for mains and one medium board for fruit or garnishes. Both should always be hand washed.
Deer & Oak wooden board specifications
If you are avoiding the dishwasher and want a board sized to your space and cooking style, these are the key details at a glance.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | Daily prep, family meals | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | Fruit, herbs, smaller kitchens | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | Serving and chopping, darker finish | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | Heavier duty prep, carving joints | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | Cheese, bread, smaller prep tasks | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0kg | Moso Bamboo | Two board system for raw / cooked | £49.99 |
What to do if you’ve already put your board in the dishwasher
If your wooden board has accidentally gone through the dishwasher once, you may still be able to save it.
- Check for warping: Place it on a flat worktop. If it rocks more than 2 to 3mm, it may never sit completely flat again, but can still be used for lighter tasks.
- Let it dry naturally: Stand the board on its edge and allow at least 24 hours to dry at room temperature. Avoid radiators or direct sunlight.
- Sand lightly: If the surface feels rough, sand with 180 to 240 grit paper in the direction of the grain.
- Re oil generously: Apply 2 to 3 coats of food safe mineral oil, letting each coat soak for at least 20 minutes.
If the board has deep cracks or joints separating by more than 1mm, it is safer to retire it from food prep and use it decoratively. At that stage, replacing it with a dedicated hand wash board like our carbonised bamboo board is usually the more hygienic option.
Who this is for
Ideal for: Home cooks who are happy to spend 60 to 90 seconds hand washing a board, want a natural surface that is kind to knives and prefer a board that can last 5 to 10 years with simple care. If you enjoy the feel of real wood and like the idea of seasoning your board with oil every month or so, a Deer & Oak bamboo or acacia board is a strong match.
Not recommended for: People who insist on putting every item in the dishwasher, live in shared kitchens where items are routinely machine washed or want a board they can treat as disposable. In those cases, a dishwasher safe plastic board is more realistic, as repeated 70°C cycles will quickly damage even the most carefully made wooden board.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why exactly can’t you put wooden cutting board in dishwasher?
A: A dishwasher combines long exposure to hot water, strong detergent and rapid drying, which causes wood fibres to swell and then contract too quickly. This leads to warping, cracking and splitting, and it strips out the protective oils that keep bacteria and stains at bay. Hand washing with warm water and mild soap avoids these stresses and keeps the board stable.
Q: Is bamboo any safer in the dishwasher than other wood?
A: Bamboo is slightly more dimensionally stable than many hardwoods, but it still reacts badly to repeated dishwasher cycles. Our Moso bamboo boards, such as the Large Bamboo Board at 45x35cm and 1.8kg, are engineered for hand washing and upright drying. Putting them in the dishwasher will still shorten their lifespan and may void any guarantee.
Q: How long will a Deer & Oak wooden board last if I hand wash it?
A: With normal home use, daily hand washing and monthly oiling, most customers see 5 to 10 years of service from boards like the Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) or Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg). Heavy professional style use may shorten that slightly, while very light use can extend it beyond 10 years.
Q: Which Deer & Oak board should I choose if I want one main hand wash board?
A: If you want a single all rounder for a typical British kitchen, we usually suggest a 45x35cm board so you have space for a full joint or large squash. The Large Bamboo Board (1.8kg) is a lighter option that is easy to move, while the Large Acacia Board (2.1kg) feels more substantial under heavy chopping. Both are designed for hand washing, not dishwashers.
Recommended boards and where to buy
If you are ready to commit to hand washing and want a wooden board that rewards that care, here are three clear choices:
- Everyday family cooking: The Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm (DNO-BCB-LG, 1.8kg) gives you generous space without being too heavy to move to the sink.
- Richer colour and serving: The Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm (DNO-CBB-LG, 1.9kg) suits both chopping and presentation, especially on darker worktops.
- Two board system: The Bamboo Double Pack (45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg) lets you keep raw and cooked foods separate while following the same quick hand wash routine.
You can also explore our full range of wooden boards and sets on the Deer & Oak site, including single chopping boards, curated board sets and current bestsellers. Whichever size you choose, remember the simple rule: can you put wooden cutting board in dishwasher? No. A minute at the sink will always give you many more years on the worktop.