Everyone uses wooden spoons when it comes to cooking, but are you cleaning them the right way? If you’re a wooden spoon wielder, you’ll know that soaking your wooden spoons for prolonged periods of time to clean them is not advised for two reasons.
First, you’ve got the issue of bacterial growth. Wood is porous and absorbs water, which creates the perfect damp environment for bacteria, especially if left to soak for hours on end. Plus, because wood is so porous, the moisture absorbed into your spoon can actually weaken its structure and damage it.
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Recently, we discovered the best hack clean wooden spoons, and it doesn’t involve any prolonged soaking!
Here’s the trick!
The trick is simple, really. All you need to do is boil your wooden spoons in water. The method involves placing the spoons in a pot of boiling water and allowing them to simmer for about 20 minutes.
@itsnicolejaques BOIL your wooden spoons and utensils at the beginning of every month. Even if you are hand cleaning them or putting them in the dishwasher, they need a deep soak. To note I hand clean mine usually as dishwasher is typically not recommended. I did this for demonstration purposes. #cleaninghacks #cleaningtips #deepcleaning #kitchencleaning #kitchenhacks #kitchenware ♬ original sound – Nicole Jaques
While it may seem counterintuitive to expose wooden utensils to water, this is a quick process and does less damage to your spoons than long soaks and rough scrubs do.
Boiling wooden spoons helps to remove stubborn stains, odours and bacteria effectively. The hot water penetrates the pores of the wood, loosening any residues and allowing for a thorough cleaning.
The high temperature plays a vital role in sanitising and killing harmful bacteria, ensuring that your trusted utensils are safe to use and not contaminated. Over time wooden spoons can also start to look a little battered. Boiling them in water can remove accumulated stains and discolouration.
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After boiling (NB: for no longer than 20 minutes) make sure to thoroughly dry your spoons to prevent any moisture being trapped. If you’d like to go the extra mile, consider applying a thin layer of food-safe mineral oil or wood conditioner. This step helps replenish the natural oils in the wood, keeping it nourished and protected.
There you have it! Clean spoons for days.
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Feature Image: Getty
