Is Bamboo Dishwasher Safe? (Find Out Now!)

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional flatware and cooking utensils, bamboo is an excellent choice. Not only is it more affordable than silver flatware, it is also durable, lightweight, and incredibly eco-friendly. In fact, the environmentally-friendly nature of bamboo is the main reason why bamboo kitchen utensils have become so popular in recent years.

Though, for the sake of convenience, you may be wondering: “Is bamboo dishwasher safe?” While some websites may claim that bamboo is dishwasher safe if the product is made from a single piece of bamboo with no glue or lacquer coating, this is simply not true. We strongly advise that you do not wash bamboo in the dishwasher, as the high heat and harsh detergents are too much for the material.

Instead, you should only hand wash bamboo utensils and flatware. The long exposure to hot water and harsh detergents can overdry bamboo, leading to a shorter lifespan of the utensils – especially when you consider the fact that bamboo utensils should last virtually a lifetime.

Although many argue that plastic is safer because it can be run through the dishwasher and can stand up to higher water temperatures, the issue with plastic is that it cuts and scratches easily. As such, water and bacteria can start to collect in the material. Fortunately, bamboo evaporates excess water, is moisture-free, and naturally antibacterial and antifungal. As an added bonus, bamboo is toxin-free since it never requires fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals to supplement its growth.

Quick Fact: A case study found that the use of plastic cutting boards in the home is hazardous, potentially resulting in cross-contamination of foods with agents such as Salmonella. Whereas, using wooden or bamboo cutting boards is not hazardous.

Though bamboo is often confused as a type of wood, it is actually a strong grass. Like wood, it is a natural resource and caring for bamboo utensils is similar to caring for wooden utensils. Although it’s not advised to put bamboo utensils in the dishwasher, this doesn’t mean that cleaning them has to be complicated.

To clean bamboo utensils – whether it’s cutting boards, spoons, flatware, or bowls – hand wash them immediately after use with a soft cloth or sponge, mild dish soap, and hot water. It’s always recommended that you rinse bamboo utensils right after use to prevent food from sticking.

If you must, use the cloth to scrub away at any stuck-on food particles. Or, for stubborn residue, use the dull side of a knife. Avoid using abrasive tools and cleaners and never soak the bamboo. Similar to wood, if bamboo gets immersed in water for too long it can swell and crack.

After cleaning, rinse the utensils thoroughly and pat dry with a clean rag. Then stand them upright to let them dry completely before putting them away.

If your bamboo kitchen items start to look or feel a bit dry, you can re-hydrate them using a food-grade mineral oil. You can also use a specific bamboo conditioning oil, which can be found at most kitchen supply stores. Oiling helps keep your utensils well-conditioned and prevents splintering or cracking from repeated use and cleanings.

To apply the oil, put several drops onto a clean cloth and rub it all over the utensil. Repeat until all the surfaces are coated. Before you use the utensil again, let it cure for about a day or two.

If possible, avoid using bamboo for cooking raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. Though, if your bamboo kitchen utensils do come into contact with raw meat, seafood, or poultry, they should be properly sanitized.

To do this, wash the utensils in a bleach solution – approximately 1 teaspoon of liquid bleach per quart of water. Alternatively, you can wash them in three tablespoons of white vinegar per one cup of water. Then, rinse thoroughly afterwards and leave them out to dry.