How to Clean Wooden Spoons: Caring for Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons last longer when you handwash them. Avoid placing wooden utensils in the dishwasher, as the high temperatures deteriorate and warp the wood. Consider the below cleaning method for maintaining your wooden kitchen utensils:

• Rinse the spoons with warm water. Add your wooden spoons to the sink and run them under warm water. Rinse your wooden spoons with water before adding any soap.
• Use a mild soap. Strong chemical soaps are abrasive and can wear away the wood. Scrub away food debris after applying a gentle dish soap to a washcloth, bristled brush, or sponge. Use circular motions under hot soapy water. After removing the food from the spoon, rinse the wood under warm water to wash away soap residue.
• Remove any odors with baking soda. To remove lingering smells and food stains, apply a mixture of baking soda and water. Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water and apply the mixture to your wooden spoon. Baking soda neutralizes acids, removing stubborn odors that become locked in the pores of your wooden spoons. If you don’t have baking soda, use lemon juice as a substitute. Simply soak your wooden spoons in lemon juice to draw out odors.
• Air-dry the spoons. Pat the spoons dry with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove any excess water. Prop your wooden spoons against a drying rack, so the wood fully dries. Standing your wooden spoons up instead of laying them flat promotes better airflow and prevents the wood from expanding and cracking.

Different cleaning hacks can help extend the life of your wooden spoon. Here are tips for cleaning and maintaining wooden utensils:

1. 1. Rinse the spoons immediately after each use. Wooden spoons are prone to absorbing odors and food stains. Rinsing your wooden spoons immediately after using them prevents food debris from sticking to the wood. Also, avoid submerging and soaking your wooden spoons in a tub of water, as this can result in cracks.
2. 2. Sanitize the spoons routinely. For a deep clean, sanitize your wooden spoons with hydrogen peroxide, which kills the bacteria that build up on wooden cookware after multiple uses. Allow the wooden spoons to soak for fifteen minutes. Then rinse away the hydrogen peroxide with water and air-dry the spoons before using them again.
3. 3. Treat the spoons with oil. Over time, wooden spoons dry out and splinter. To preserve your wooden cookware and prevent cracks, rub mineral oil or beeswax across the edges. Avoid using food-based oils, such as olive oil and vegetable oil, which will make the surfaces sticky. Treat your wooden spoons with oil after sanitizing them in hydrogen peroxide since the latter can dry out the wood.

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