Can You Put Wooden Items in the Dishwasher? (No — Here's Why)

Wooden cutting boards, spoons, bowls, and utensils are kitchen staples — but they should never go in the dishwasher. Here's exactly what happens when wood meets a dishwasher cycle, and how to properly care for your wooden kitchen items.

Why Wood and Dishwashers Don't Mix

1. Warping and Cracking

Wood is a natural material that expands when wet and contracts when dry. The dishwasher exposes wood to prolonged heat and moisture, then rapid drying — this cycle of expansion and contraction causes warping, splitting, and cracking. A flat cutting board can come out curved and unusable after just one cycle.

2. The Finish and Oils Break Down

Most wooden kitchen items are treated with food-safe oils or finishes that protect the wood and prevent it from absorbing bacteria. Dishwasher detergent strips these protective treatments, leaving the wood dry, rough, and porous.

3. Bacteria Can Thrive in Cracks

Once wood cracks from dishwasher damage, bacteria can hide in the crevices — making the item harder to clean properly, not easier.

4. Glued Joints Fail

Many wooden items — especially cutting boards — are made from multiple pieces of wood glued together. The heat and moisture of a dishwasher dissolves the glue, causing the board to delaminate and fall apart.

What Wooden Items Should Never Go in the Dishwasher

• Wooden cutting boards
• Wooden spoons and spatulas
• Wooden salad bowls
• Wooden serving boards and charcuterie boards
• Bamboo items (same rules apply — bamboo is a grass but behaves like wood)
• Wooden-handled knives and tools

How to Properly Clean Wooden Kitchen Items

1. Wash by hand with warm (not hot) water and a small amount of mild dish soap
2. Scrub gently with a soft brush or sponge — avoid abrasive scrubbers
3. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a towel
4. Stand upright or lay flat to air dry completely — never soak in water
5. Oil regularly: Apply food-safe mineral oil or beeswax conditioner monthly to keep the wood hydrated and protected

How to Sanitize Wooden Cutting Boards

If you're concerned about bacteria (especially after cutting raw meat), you can sanitize a wooden cutting board without the dishwasher:

• Sprinkle coarse salt on the board and rub with half a lemon — the acid and abrasion kill bacteria naturally
• Or spray with a diluted white vinegar solution (1:1 vinegar and water), let sit for a few minutes, then rinse and dry
• For raw meat, consider using a separate plastic cutting board that IS dishwasher safe

What About Bamboo?

Bamboo is often marketed as more durable than wood, but it has the same vulnerability to dishwasher damage. Bamboo cutting boards, utensils, and bowls should all be hand washed and dried immediately.

Keep Your Dishwasher Clean for What It Can Handle

For all the items that ARE dishwasher safe, keep your machine performing at its best. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets (amzn.to/42P5MKQ) to remove limescale, mineral deposits, and odor-causing bacteria. Use Finish Powerball Dishwasher Pods (amzn.to/3RE929j) for reliable everyday cleaning.

The Bottom Line

Wood and dishwashers are fundamentally incompatible. The heat, moisture, and detergent will warp, crack, and ruin wooden items — often after just one cycle. Always hand wash wooden kitchen items, dry immediately, and oil regularly. With proper care, quality wooden cutting boards and utensils can last decades.