How to clean a wooden spoon: a step

Sep 05, 2023

It pays to know how to correctly clean and sanitise your wooden utensils

Have you ever wondered how to clean a wooden spoon? Given how often we probably use our utensils, do we ever actually consider how well we're really cleaning them? Admittedly, chucking your wooden spoons into the sink with some dishwashing soap alongside the rest of your dirty dishes sometimes isn't always enough, nor do experts advise boiling wooden spoons due to its unfavourable effect – so how exactly do you clean a wooden spoon?

We've asked cleaning experts for their top cleaning tips to ensure clean wooden spoons every single time, as well as ways to preserve and extend their longevity for everyday use in your kitchen.

'Wooden spoons are a great alternative to plastic utensils and have the added bonus of not scratching your pots and pans as metal ones might. What many people don't know is that wooden spoons can be a hotbed for germs and bacteria, as they very easily absorb liquids and oils from foods, despite appearing clean,' warns Sue Caldwell, managing director at eco-friendly cleaning brand, Clean Living International.

'Cleaning wooden spoons requires a gentle and careful approach to ensure their longevity, prevent damage and maintain their natural appearance. However, the cleaning process is still pretty straightforward. Preferably, you should wash them shortly after using them,' explains Lily Cameron, cleaning supervisor at Fantastic Services. If you want to learn how to properly clean a wooden spoon, follow these expert-led tips.

With an experience of working for Fantastic Services for 10 years as a cleaning supervisor and previous experience in hotel cleaning, Lily Cameron defines herself as a responsible and disciplined person. Her most valuable skill is developing better communication and building a bond of trust with the clients. As an animal lover and highly qualified cleaner, her greatest pleasure is providing eco- and pet-friendly house maintenance advice whenever she can.

'For this cleaning task, you can use mild dish soap or a specialised wooden utensil cleaner. You’ll also need a soft sponge or cloth, warm water and, optionally, white vinegar or lemon juice for sanitising,' says Lily Cameron.

Ecover Washing-Up Ligquid Lemon & Aloe Vera | £3.50 at Waitrose

An Ideal Home favourite, this plant-based, biodegradable washing-up liquid is sensitive to skin and sure to leave your dishes squeaky clean.

'Before starting the cleaning process, scrape off any food particles or residue from the wooden spoons using the back of a knife or your fingernails. Afterwards, rinse them under warm water to remove any remaining loose matter.'

'Create a cleaning solution by mixing a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water in a container or in the sink. Gently dip the soft sponge or cloth into the soapy water and squeeze out any excess liquid.'

'Lightly scrub the wooden spoon with the damp sponge or cloth, making sure you clean all surfaces thoroughly, including the handle and the bowl of the spoon. Give special attention to any stains or stubborn residue, applying slightly more pressure if it's necessary, but avoid excessive scrubbing, because it can damage the wood.'

'After cleaning, rinse the wooden spoon under warm water to remove any soapy residue. Make sure you remove all traces of soap to prevent any unwanted flavours or unpleasant odours from transferring to and contaminating your food later.'

'Gently pat the wooden spoon with a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess moisture. Allow it to air dry completely in a well-ventilated spot. When drying wooden spoons, avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near a heat source, because it can make the wood warp or crack. Besides that, make sure both sides of the spoon are properly dried to prevent the growth of mould or bacteria.'

If you're looking to deep clean your wooden spoons, Sue Caldwell at Clean Living International suggests 'harnessing the power of nature, using items that you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard.'

'Baking soda and white distilled vinegar are fantastic natural cleaners – baking soda acts as a great cleaning agent as it is a mild alkali, which dissolves grime and grease, while the vinegar will neutralise odours and fight bacteria that the spoon might have absorbed.'

'Simply add equal parts of vinegar with boiling water and a teaspoon or two of baking soda, pop your spoons in, and leave to soak for fifteen to twenty minutes. We recommend doing so once a month to give them a deep clean!'

Additionally, it doesn't hurt to keep a kitchen utensil cleaner to hand after everyday use. When cleaning wooden spoons, it's important that you don't use traditional cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals, as they may be absorbed and transferred to your next meal.

Kitchen Cleaner and Degreaser | £10.80 at Clean Living International

This everyday kitchen cleaner is ideal for breaking down grease, oil, and fatty residues. Simply spritz it onto the spoon, leave it to work its magic, and rinse with warm water.

'Dry and store wooden kitchen products in an upright position to minimise dirt from other surfaces and the air,' advises Joe Authbert, buying manager at ProCook. 'Placing wooden spoons upright rather than flat promotes better airflow and prevents the wood from expanding and cracking,' adds Nigel Bearman, CEO and founder of cleaning company, Daily Poppins.

Additionally, Nigel Bearman at Daily Poppins advises regularly oiling wooden spoons. 'It is common for wooden spoons to dry out and splinter over time. Rub mineral oil or beeswax along the edges of your wooden cookware in order to preserve it and prevent cracks.'

'Oils derived from foods, such as olive oil and vegetable oil, will cause the surfaces to become sticky. In order to prevent the wood from drying out, treat your wooden spoons with oil after sanitising them with hydrogen peroxide.'

T&G Food Safe Wood Oil | £8.00 at Dunelm

Suitable to prolong the life of your wooden boards by soaking into the wood further than vegetable oils, this food safe oil by T&G doesn't leave a residue and therefore does not trap bacteria.

'Finally, don't soak wooden items and never clean them in a dishwasher, as wood easily warps when expose to heat or prolonged soaking,' warns Joe Authbert at ProCook.

Following these measures of correctly cleaning and sanitising your wooden spoons are key to maintaining the quality and durability of your wooden spoons. So the next time you accidentally leave your wooden spoon to soak in a sink full of water after cooking, remember these expert-led tips so you don't get caught out.

Jullia Joson is Ideal Home's Junior Writer. She's always loved all things homes and interiors, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Nottingham in 2022. Previously, she was an Intern Editor for ArchDaily. Now focused on news stories, Jullia can be found down the TikTok and Pinterest rabbit hole scrolling through any new and upcoming trends, hacks, and home inspiration.

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