Top 4 Things to Do to Care for Wooden Kitchenware
- Handwash only; Dish soap and a sponge are fine.
- Never put it in a dishwasher.
- Dry thoroughly before putting them away.
- Stand on the edge when possible so they dry evenly to prevent warping.
- Oil periodically with a food-safe oil to keep the wood conditioned and looking good.
- To refresh the wood, sand with 220-grit sandpaper and re-oil.
How to clean your wooden Kitchenware
You should clean your wooden spoons and cutting boards after each use. Handwashing is best using a kitchen sponge with a blue scratch pad. If you need to do a more aggressive cleaning, the green scratch pads are more aggressive and will allow you to really get some scrubbing done.
You don’t need any special cleaner; dish soap is fine. Wood pores are absorbent. You don’t want to use any harsh chemicals on the wood as it can soak into the pores of the wood and contaminate your food the next time you use it.
Once you have cleaned your wooden kitchenware, be sure to let it dry before storing it away in a drawer. Wooden utensils can be laid out to dry on a towel or stood up in a container. When drying wooden cutting boards, do not lay them flat, as laying them flat can trap moisture underneath, causing them to warp or crack. Instead, stand them on end or on an edge so the board can dry evenly on both top and bottom.
What not to do to your wooden kitchenware
Never put your wooden kitchenware in the dishwasher. The dishwasher is a harsh environment, which will strip the wood of the oil you apply as well as its natural oils. This will cause the wood to crack, check, warp, and look dry and gross. This will also break down the glue bond of any wood that has been glued together to create the cutting board. Also, do not soak in water for any length of time for the same reasons.
Never apply vegetable or olive oil to your wooden kitchenware when storing it away. These oils can become rancid over time; only use a food-grade mineral oil or an oil designed to be used as a wood finish that is food-safe.
Never put away wet; you don’t want bacteria to grow in the wood pores or the wood to warp because of excess moisture.