Wooden spoons have been around forever. They are sturdy, long-lasting, and perfect for stirring and mixing any recipe! Wooden spoons are a great rustic touch to any cooking area. Over time, and as they are used, they will of course stain and can even smell bad. The hard part is cleaning wooden spoons. However, there are a few hacks you can use to keep your wooden spoons from looking or smelling dirty.
A cleaning hack recently went viral on TikTok that shows you how to clean wooden spoons by boiling them in water. The video suggests that boiling will help kill bacteria or germs created on the spoon as you use it over time. While boiling seems like it would be a convenient way to clean them, experts have mixed feelings.
Some experts suggest that boiling wooden spoons can actually cause them to crack, warp, or split and be unusable. The wood can also expand, shrink, and become damaged from extreme heat. Furthermore, wooden spoons that have been treated with oils and/or waxes could easily absorb water while boiling. This may create mushy or discolored ones.
While some experts say boiling wood utensils can be done safely when practiced properly, boiling wooden spoons can definitely be risky! If you are going to boil wooden spoons, start with a large pot filled with plenty of water. So that your spoon(s) can move freely in the water. Boil the spoon for no longer than 5 minutes (as boiled wood is at risk of splitting and cracking). When the boiling is done, REMOVE THE SPOONS from the hot water. Allow them to cool completely before cleaning them with a clean towel.
What are the best ways to clean wooden spoons? Here are some expert-approved hacks for cleaning wood spoons and caring for your wooden utensils.
Hand wash with warm soapy water.
The best way to clean wooden spoons is to hand wash in warm, soapy water. Use mild detergent and do not use harsh detergents or scrubbers that can ruin wood, use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe down your spoon, rinse with warm water, and dry with a towel.
Use a vinegar solution.
If you are intending to disinfect (and to some extent clean) wooden spoons, a vinegar solution will help disinfect wooden spoons. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl or mixing bowl. Submerge the wooden spoon in the solution for a short time, then rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.
It’s all about oil.
You need to oil them regularly to stop the wood from becoming dry and cracking. Then, using a clean cloth, apply food-grade oil like coconut oil or mineral oil. Once the oil is applied to the spoon, allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then dry the spoon with the clean towel. Finally, allow it to dry. This helps to lock in moisture so that the wood does not absorb the moisture and/or bacteria.
Use baking soda.
If you have a heavy stain or too much odour in the wood spoon, you can make a thick paste of baking soda and water, cover the wooden spoon, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse under warm water and dry with a towel.
Although the boiling wooden spoon cleaning hack seems like a fast and “easy” method of cleaning your wooden utensils, experts do not condone that principle. Because boiling is inherently risky for your utensils. Therefore, please go for one of the others mentioned, such as using a baking soda solution with vinegar, lemon, and salt or submerging utensils in white vinegar. If you regularly maintain good cleaning habits, wooden spoons will remain in great condition. And operating as a versatile tool in your kitchen for several more years. I’m not gonna lie, I really want to try this TikTok hack. But I think I will stick to safely cleaning wooden spoons.
