The dishwasher is a convenient kitchen appliance that removes the need for handwashing items. Many modern kitchen tools, cookware, and utensils are now dishwasher-safe, and are convenient to clean as they are to use. But can these appliances clean wood cutting boards without damaging them?
Can You Put a Wooden Cutting Board in the Dishwasher?
No, you shouldn't put a wood cutting board in the dishwasher. The same goes for bamboo cutting boards, plastic cutting boards, and glass cutting boards. Unless the cutting board is labeled dishwasher safe, you should be cleaning your wood, glass, and plastic boards by hand.
The reason for this is that dishwashers use high heat and intense pressure to clean food gunk off of kitchen utensils. Cutting boards are typically made of sturdy material, which isn't very flexible under immense heat and pressure.
Dangers of Placing a Wood Cutting Board in the Dishwasher
In the dishwasher, your wood cutting boards may warp, break, bend, or snap as the dishwasher creates pressure. Wooden cutting boards may end up splintering inside the dishwasher, particularly flimsy wood like bamboo cutting boards.
However, composite cutting boards are made from a combination of wood fibers strengthened by resins, making them dishwasher safe. When in doubt, always check back on the label of your wood boards to know the proper ways of cleaning cutting boards.
How to Clean Wooden Cutting Boards by Hand
For a full, step-by-step guide on cleaning and polishing your wooden cutting boards, check out our article on How to Clean and Maintain a Wooden Cutting Board.
Washing your cutting board simply requires a mild dish soap and a scouring pad or scrubbing brush. A brush is ideal to use for cutting boards as the bristles can scrub deep into the groves left behind by knife blades, and can be used on wood cutting boards, plastic cutting boards, and even glass cutting boards.
Cleaning Wood Board with Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution
Baking soda and vinegar create an effective cleaning solution that can lift stains from deep within cutting boards. You can use the same solution on a plastic cutting board as well, but to clean a wooden cutting board with this solution, you will first need to sprinkle baking soda all over the surface of your wood board.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the surface, then add white vinegar to set off a reaction. Let the solution bubble - the bubbling helps to lift stains and mold out of your cutting board! Let the solution sit for 15 minutes, then scrub clean with a brush. Rinse and dry.
Cleaning Cutting Board with Lemon Juice and Salt
Similar to the baking soda and vinegar solution, a mix of lemon juice and salt will clean plastic cutting boards as well as wooden boards and butcher blocks, so this method is handy to know as it is a versatile and accessible method.
First, cut a lemon in half. You'll only need to use half a lemon to clean an entire cutting board! Sprinkle a mix of fine and coarse salt over the wooden board, and use the lemon half as a scrubber to scrub away the dirt. Follow the direction of the wood grain, and focus on scrubbing the indentations left by knives for a thorough clean. Rinse and dry afterwards.
Helpful Tip: Because acidic solutions like vinegar and lemon juice can strip away the protective seal of your wooden cutting boards, it is a good idea to seal the board with a food-safe mineral oil once it is dry to form a water-resistant layer.
Disinfecting Cutting Board Used for Raw Meat
If you have a separate cutting board used for raw meat and seafood, it is a good idea to disinfect the board after you hand wash it. To safely disinfect your cutting board, use a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide on a dry cutting board. This will allow the solution to seep into the wood fibers, and sanitize the board thoroughly.
A Clean-Cut Kitchen Upkeep
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Check out our other articles for full step-by-step guides on kitchen cleaning and maintenance!
