Bamboo Care Advice
Follow the easy steps contained in our Bamboo Care Advice guide to look after your chopping boards and breakfast boards.
Why bamboo?
Our chopping boards and breakfast boards are made of bamboo, a natural and eco-friendly material that is also safe for cooking. We believe that it’s the best material for chopping boards and breakfast boards.
- IT’S STRONG. Bamboo, while technically a grass, shares many properties of wood, but it’s even stronger. Some of our chopping boards are designed to enhance this further, with a multi-layer structure that gives them extra resistance and durability, preventing cracks and bends.
- IT’S ANTIBACTERIAL & EASY TO CLEAN. Bamboo’s dense and non-porous nature makes it resistant to moisture and less prone to bacteria or mould build-up.
- IT’S SUSTAINABLE. Bamboo can grow to full size in just 3-4 months, compared to trees which might take 30+ years. Bamboo requires little maintenance and doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides.
Why do we use different finishes?
Our chopping boards and breakfast boards are manufactured with two different finishes.
Oil
Oil moisturises the wood and protects it from liquids. We exclusively use mineral oil because it’s colourless, odourless, flavourless and, unlike vegetable-based oils, it will not go rancid.
An oiled board needs to be periodically re-oiled, making this finish suited to single larger chopping boards.
See ‘How to oil’ below.
Lacquer
Lacquer gives a smooth finish and provides exceptional protection against liquids. Although extended use may give rise to visible scratches on the top surface of the lacquer, this doesn’t affect the protection, and the need for re-oiling is avoided.
The low-maintenance nature of lacquer makes it a finish suited to small chopping boards or breakfast boards.
See ‘How to re-protect a lacquered chopping board’ below.
How to clean
Bamboo, like any natural material, performs its best when properly cared for.
Here’s what the experts in our workshop advice about bamboo care:
Do’s
- Clean with a non-abrasive cloth and gentle soap.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Dry with a clean towel.
- Place upright and air dry before storing flat.
- Remove any odours that may develop by wiping with lemon juice and baking soda.
Don’ts
- Do not soak.
- Do not put in the dishwasher.
- Do not use metal scrub brushes or other abrasive cleaners.
- Do not use harsh chemicals, rubbing alcohol or bleach.
How to oil
Our chopping boards finished with mineral oil should be periodically re-oiled. Re-oiling keeps the bamboo moist, preventing drying or cracking, as well as protecting against liquids.
Here’s how to oil a chopping board:
- Use only food-safe mineral oil.
- Ensure that your chopping board is clean and dry before re-oiling.
- Apply the oil with a clean dry cloth generously all over the surface. Don’t be afraid if it doesn’t soak in immediately.
- Leave the oil to soak in overnight.
- If the chopping board still feels oily, buff off any remaining oil with a clean cloth.
We’ve tested many oils and can confidently recommend those from the following brands.
How to re-protect a lacquered chopping board
Our lacquered chopping boards and breakfast boards are low maintenance, but after a long time, you may wish to re-protect them.
To re-protect lacquered boards, you first need to remove any existing lacquer with fine sandpaper. This will prepare the surface for new lacquer to be applied, or for oil to be absorbed into.
They can then be re-lacquered or alternatively oiled following the ‘How to oil’ instructions above.
Conclusion
With just a few simple care steps, your bamboo chopping boards and breakfast boards will last you a lifetime. And if they don’t, we’ll replace them!
If you have any questions, please contact us or send an email to support@larhn.com. Our team will be happy to help.