How to Care for Wooden Spoons

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Caring for your wooden spoons is relatively easy with these few steps to maintain to last for generations.

I have well-made wooden spoons that I have been using for years. You know it’s well made by the weight of it. I want to maintain them for as long as I can so I can pass them down to my children to use. When it comes to maintaining your kitchen tools like cast iron, it’s also essential to take care of your wooden tools. It is necessary to clean & care for your wooden spoons to prolong their use. Not only will I share a few helpful tips, but also a recipe for wood butter to condition your wooden tools.

How to Clean Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Use mild soap & a scrubby pad will work just fine.

How to Prevent Cracks in Wooden Spoons

With proper care, your wooden yours can last for many years. Be sure to handwash with hot water & mild dish soap. Make sure your Utensils are well dry before storing them away.

Can wooden spoons be cleaned on the dishwasher?

Never put your wooden Utensils in the dishwasher. It will ruin your Utensils, causing them to soak up water & soap, which will then cause them to split.

How do you condition a wooden spoon?

Take a clean towel (a tea towel works great), take a little bit of conditioning oil, and rub all over the wooden Untensil until all the conditioner is blended in.

Note: before oiling, make sure the wooden utensil is clean & completely dry.

How do you store a wooden spoon?

Keep your wooden spoons stored in a well-ventilated, clean location. I store mine in a crock beside my cooktop. You can also store them in a drawer.

How long should you keep wooden Utensils?

I have had my wooden utensils for years. However, you should replace them if they have any cracks, as microbes and bacteria can live in them, raising the risk of spreading germs.

When to throw away your wooden Utensils?

Unfortunately, if your wooden Utensils are cracked, it has run their course of use. Therefore, it is not safe to use as it will harbor bacteria.

How often to condition wooden Utensils?

However, if your wooden Utensils become brittle & dry, it can be done weekly to maintain them. This food-safe oil will quickly be soaked up by the wood and help the utensils better repel water and retain their natural vibrancy for prolonged use for years to come.

What if the wooden spoon has an odor?

Soak in equal parts distilled vinegar & warm water overnight to get deep into the spoon to remove any odors. After a good soak, wash with mild soap & towel dry. Allow a day or so to be completely dry through.

Why Wood Spoons and Cutting Boards Crack

It could be many reasons. It can occur from exposure to extreme temperatures and moisture that can weaken your wooden utensils and cutting boards.

Here is a tip! Don’t forget your other Wood tools, such as the cutting boards & butcher block. It is important to condition them at least once a week with non-food oils like mineral oil or beeswax. Other oils such as olive oil vegetable oil can go rancid & not recommended.

What is the best conditioner for your wooden Utensils?

The food-safe mineral is a great alternative. However, below is a recipe that my friend Kyrie (Healthfully Rooted Home) made for this amazing wood butter that works great.

Equipment

• Wooden kitchen utensils (spoons, cutting boards, rolling pins, etc.)
• Small mason jar with lid
• Double Boiler

If you do not have a double broiler, you can use a Saucepan & a Glass bowl as an option.

Materials

• 3 tbs Beeswax
• 9 tbs Unrefined coconut oil
• 10 drops Rosemary essential oil (optional) use food grade, therapeutic grade, high quality essential oils.

Instructions

• In the double boiler, fill a 1/3 way with water.
• Turn on medium-low heat.
• Place beeswax and coconut oil in the double broiler (glass bowl).
• Stir as the oil and wax start to melt.
• Turn off the burner once the oil & wax has completely melted, then add your rosemary essential oil.
• Pour into your mason jar and let cool completely before applying to your wooden kitchen utensils.

Have you tried this wood butter for your wooden kitchen tools? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time y’all!

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