BAMBU® FAQ
Below are facts and additional information we provide to frequently asked questions about our company and our products. We hope this gives you valuable information about our brand and helps you make informed buying decisions.
Making Quality Products from Nature
A quality product starts with quality materials. Kitchen tools are no different. We start with the highest grade of materials locally sourced and harvested. As a result, you won’t find imperfections like color inconsistency, rough edges, water spots, discoloration, lacquer coating or other irregularities commonly seen in other similar products.
Our small batch production process involves a high degree of handwork. It is this ‘handmadeness’ that makes bambu products superior. The outcome is beautiful products made with quality material, excellent construction and attention to detail.
Utensils
bambu® utensils are handmade from a single piece of bamboo. Neither glue nor lacquer coating is ever used on our utensil products, because we believe that the utensils you use to prepare and eat your food should be as safe and clean as the food you eat. We are confident you will appreciate the feel and appearance of our smooth, lacquer-free utensils.
FAQ Why are bambu® utensils certified organic and what does that mean?
Organic certification ensures that our kitchen utensils are made with bamboo material that is grown without pesticides and fertilizers. From harvest to your home, certification assures customers of the highest quality, all natural utensils available.
bambu® makes the only utensils to have earned USDA organic certification from the National Organic Program (NOP) which sets standards for organically produced agricultural products. It also means that our production process, down to the finishing oil we use, is also certified organic.
FAQ Are bambu® utensils safe to go into the dishwasher?
Yes. Firstly, we make our utensils from single pieces; no glue is used, so there is no worry about utensils delaminating as a result of high water temperatures and detergents. Secondly, we don't use lacquer coating, so there is no coating to flake off. However, high water temperature and detergents tend to over-dry the utensils. For that reason, we recommend hand washing in hot soapy water.
FAQ Can bambu® utensils be used for cooking at high heat?
Yes. Similar to wooden spoons, bamboo spoons can be used for stovetop cooking up to med/high heat (375-450 degrees). Bamboo spoons can serve many uses. Check out our list of 11 things you can do with a bamboo spoon here.
bambu Kids®
bambu Kids® products are made from USDA certified organic sources. Our award-winning products are phthalate-free, BPA-free, and most of all, plastic-free. Our utensils are handmade and then finished with a USDA certified organic oil.
FAQ Do you test your kids’ products?
Yes, bambu Kids® products undergo thorough testing before we bring them to market. Authorized by The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) verifies product safety compliance. The CPSC establishes testing protocols to simulate normal or reasonably foreseeable use, damage, or abuse in which toys and other articles intended for use by children may be subjected. All of our kids products are tested by a CPSC accredited testing facility. And each product is inspected before it ships. Read more about our safety and testing protocol for our bambu Kids products here.
FAQ Can the kids utensils be put into the dishwasher?
Similar to our cooking utensils, our kids products are made without glue or lacquer. While it is safe to put them in the dishwasher, we don’t recommend it, and instead suggest hand washing in hot soapy water to maintain a smooth surface.
More information on the care and use of our all-natural kids products can be located here.
Bamboo Cutting Boards & Serving Trays
We design and make the finest bamboo cutting boards and bamboo serving trays made from hand-selected strips of organically grown bamboo. The material is harvested seasonally and kiln-dried to our specifications before production in order to achieve optimum color consistency. Our cutting boards are laminated using heat, time pressure, and glue. Our adhesive is a water-based formaldehyde-free adhesive imported from Finland. We hand sand each board to a smooth finish, then apply an all-natural, food-safe oil.
FAQ Can you put bamboo cutting boards in the dishwasher?
We do not recommend putting your bamboo or wood cutting boards in the dishwasher. We suggest hand washing your cutting boards to extend the life of your natural grain cutting boards.
FAQ Are bamboo cutting boards really stain-resistant?
Bamboo is a naturally stain resistant material. For extremely staining foods such as beets, the stain usually lifts out after several washings.
FAQ What material makes the best cutting boards, plastic or wood?
There is some debate as to what material is best for cutting boards, and what materials are the most hygienic. Of the many benefits of bamboo, the material is hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.
Most experts agree that it is a good idea to have more than one cutting board. People will often designate a board for meat and a board for vegetables. And of course, cheese lovers will want their own board for cheese.
For more information, read related research comparing wooden cutting boards and plastic cutting boards here. Also highlighted in a New York Times article, wooden cutting boards are found to be safer than plastic alternatives. High quality boards prevent the spread of foodborne diseases. More information is found on our own website. Read to learn which cutting board might be right for your kitchen.
bambu® Cedar Serving Trays and Boards are made from reclaimed Cedar wood. Our cedar is sourced locally, reclaimed mid-century dwellings in rural China. The material is hand selected and shaped and finished into beautiful and unique serving pieces. As with all of our products, our cedar wood is tested for food appropriateness.
FAQ What is the best way to clean and sanitize my cutting board?
Whether you use a bambu® bamboo cutting board, wood or plastic cutting board, it is best to wash with hot, soapy water after each use. For added protection against bacteria you may want to occasionally sanitize your cutting boards. We suggest rinsing or soaking your cutting board in hot water with vinegar. Vinegar fights bacteria and is also an effective deodorizer against stubborn odors. Dilute 3 tablespoons of vinegar in a cup of water and let the cutting board sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and air-dry.
Veneerware® Compostable Plates and Cutlery
Bambu® Veneerware ® is the only brand of disposable dinnerware that is made from USDA certified organic bamboo, and is compost approved as well as USDA Biobased approved. Learn more about the USDA Biopreferred Program here.
Our compost-approved range includes plates, bamboo flatware, serving pieces and premium bamboo napkins.
Our goal in creating Veneerware® products is to make a higher quality, less impactful disposable product. Our premium disposable dinnerware is safe and beautiful, redefining disposables for use at home, for events, and in commercial application.
FAQ Why is it termed disposable and not reusable?
We describe our Veneerware® as 'single use' for a couple of reasons. The FDA suggests we designate these as a single-use product. Secondly, our products are often used for larger scale commercial events (e.g. hotels, company events, weddings, etc.) For this type of use, they are used once. Lastly, our products are used for many different end-uses (e.g., spaghetti vs. cheese and crackers) and vary from person to person. It is difficult to provide special instructions for every type of situation.
FAQ Can I use it more than once?
Depending on the use and the situation, people can often get multiple uses from our plates and flatware with light hand washing. After several washings, you may find the plates begin to lose their rigidity. As to how many uses you can get, we leave it up to the consumer to decide.
Textiles
Cork Fabric - Our cork fabric is quite innovative. It is produced using thin sheets of natural cork, a natural renewable resource, laminated to a fabric backing using a specialized proprietary technique. This beautiful material is versatile, lightweight, and soft and supple to the touch. The material is also food safe. Moreover, the cork fabric is also dust, dirt and stain repellent. Cork is inherently anti-bacteria and hypoallergenic. Lastly, cork does not retain moisture and is, therefore waterproof, weatherproof, and washable.
FAQ Is the cork fabric washable?
Yes. As with all our textile products, the cork fabric is also washable. It is a durable fabric that should last for years. It’s best to hand wash or gentle machine wash in cold water with a mild detergent, and air dry.
Organic Cotton – Our source for our cotton meets GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) that includes environmental and social criteria and is certified by Ecocert Greenlife. Our organic cotton is made without petroleum-based ingredients, formaldehyde, anti-wrinkling agents, chlorine bleaches, or any other unnatural materials, so it is hypoallergenic and 100% eco-friendly.
Hemp – Our Hemp is harvested in China, the largest producer of this sustainable agricultural product. Hemp grows easily and offers many benefits. Hemp is grown without pesticides or fertilizers. The unique inherent characteristics of the fiber of hemp can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, making it the ideal "fiber for our future." Hemp is frequently planted in dense crops preventing sunlight from penetrating, which reduces weed growth by 95%, eliminating the need for pesticides. Therefore, hemp does not require organic growing certification. Hemp is commonly used as a companion crop bordering family gardens as a deterrent to insects and infestations. Hemp has anti-microbial properties naturally inherent in the plant. It is also mildew resistant. Hemp does not require irrigation, unlike other natural fibers. Our source uses only EU-approved dyes and chemicals in their dyeing and finishing process.
Testing
At bambu® we put our products to test. Before we bring to market any product, a third-party testing facility confirms our products meet the necessary requirements and pass all food appropriate food studies. Please visit our section of Product Testing and Safety to learn more about our testing protocol.
Vegan – No Animal Testing
We are pleased to share that no animal products are used in any of our ingredients or in the manufacturing process, except for bambu® Bamboo and Wood Grain Finishing Oil, which uses beeswax.
Finishes and Coatings
We do not use lacquer coatings on any of our products. Lacquer is a chemical-based sealant intended to protect the surface, smooth over material imperfections, and provide a sheen to the product. Look closely, and you will find nearly all bamboo utensils on the market have a lacquer coating. Lacquer tends to chip and erode over time and leach into your foods. That’s not acceptable to us. That’s why bambu® utensils are made without lacquer.
Our goal is to create the best quality natural products without the use of unnecessary chemicals. That’s why we finish all bambu® serving products and cutting boards with a natural, food-safe oil comprised of vegetable oils and waxes. Our utensils are finished with certified organic food-safe oil.
Care and Maintenance
Caring for bambu® products is easy - clean in hot water with a mild soap, and wipe dry. That's basically it! If your boards, trays or utensils look dry, consider reviving your products renewables with an all-natural cream or oil. We suggest a non-petroleum based products solution instead of mineral oil. Use bambu® ‘Bamboo Goo’ for best results for all wood grains. It is a natural oil to preserve all your wood grains. Our motto is, ‘Simple care, long life.’
Order and Retailer Information
FAQ Can I find bambu® at my local retailer?
bambu® branded products are sold at numerous retailers nationwide including Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, and other local grocery stores, cooperatives, kitchen, and gift stores across the US. If you’d like to find a store local to you, please contact customercare@bambuhome.com with your location and the items you’re looking for, and we’d be happy to help!
FAQ I'm a retailer, and I'd like to carry bambu® in my store. Can I start a wholesale account?
We offer wholesales program for qualified retailers, event planners, and caterers! Please complete our online application to be considered to be a bambu reseller.
FAQ Do you ship outside of the US?
Direct purchases on our website can only be shipped to a US address. However, we do have options for wholesalers outside of the US through our distributor network and direct programs. Please email us at customercare@bambuhome.com with your location and the items you are looking for, and we will do our best to direct you to a local source.
If we haven’t answered your question in the above information, we invite you to email us at customercare@bambuhome.com with your questions.
Thank you for your interest in what we do.