How to Clean & Care for a Titanium Cutting Board

One of the biggest selling points of titanium cutting boards is how easy they are to maintain — no oiling, no seasoning, no scrubbing garlic smells out of the grain. But "easy" doesn't mean "no rules."

Here's the complete, no-nonsense guide to keeping a titanium board clean, hygienic, and looking new for years.

The One-Minute Summary

Step-by-Step: Daily Cleaning

1. Rinse the board under warm running water right after use — before juices dry on.
2. Apply a drop of mild dish soap to a soft sponge or cloth.
3. Wipe the entire surface, both sides if it's a double-sided board.
4. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
5. Dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.

Deep Cleaning & Stubborn Stains

Because titanium is non-porous, stains rarely set in. When they do:

• Baking soda paste (3 parts soda : 1 part water) with a soft sponge lifts most marks.
• White vinegar cuts through grease and neutralizes odors.
• For turmeric or berry pigments, warm soapy water plus a little baking soda usually does the trick.
• Never use steel wool or abrasive scouring pads — they'll scratch the finish.

If you do get light surface scratches from normal cutting, they're cosmetic only. They don't harbor bacteria the way wood grooves do, and they don't affect performance.

Can It Go in the Dishwasher?

Most titanium board brands — including the Katori — state their boards are dishwasher safe. Our advice: hand-wash when you can. Repeated dishwasher cycles with high heat and harsh detergents can gradually dull the polished surface.

If you must use the dishwasher, place the board flat (not leaning against other items) and skip the heated-dry cycle.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't oil or wax it. That's for wood — it would just smear on metal.
• Don't use abrasive scrubbers or bleach-based cleaning powders.
• Don't leave it soaking in water — unnecessary and can leave residue.
• Don't store it wet. Air-dry or towel-dry before putting it away.
• Don't use it as a cutting surface for hard materials like frozen food or bones — that's hard on any board.

Related Reading

• Titanium vs wood vs plastic vs bamboo cutting boards
• Does titanium dull your knives?
• Are plastic cutting boards putting microplastics in your food?
• Katori titanium cutting board — full review