The Easiest Way to Deep Clean Wooden Utensils — No Chemicals

Why wooden utensils need extra care

Wooden spoons, spatulas, and cutting tools absorb grease and odors over time. Bacteria can even start developing after a while. And let's be honest, dishwashers don’t truly clean them since wood is so porous. Harsh cleaners can dry or crack wood, and may end up in your food down the road. Boiling literally cannot get any cheaper, simpler, or more effective solution.

Caring for your wooden utensils will extend their life, and you won't have to replace them.

The method I use: boiling wooden utensils

It's a very simple process and honestly, I don't know why I didn't start doing that long ago. I started this year and, frankly, seeing the water after the process, I'm questioning my other life choices.

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How to:

• Fill a pot with enough water to cover as much of the utensils as possible

• Add wooden utensils

• Bring to a gentle boil

• Boil for 20 minutes

• Remove and air dry fully (don't skip this step!)

Worth mentioning:

• Water may discolor — that’s normal

• Odors often disappear completely!

What kinds of wooden utensils this works for

• Wooden spoons

• Spatulas

• Ladles

• Wooden tongs

• Scrapers

What I don’t do (and why)

• I don’t use bleach

• I don’t soak for days

• I don’t put them in the dishwasher

• I don’t do this every week

The process is fast and effective. It's as natural as it's going to get!

How often to deep clean wooden utensils

• Every few months for sure.

• After raw meat use (ideally. Nobody does it..)

• When they smell yucky

• When they feel greasy or sticky

Optional: Re-oiling after boiling

Now, this is "optional" but really it's not. Since you are stripping out all the oils, now your utensils will be dried out a bit.

When your spoons and such are completely dry, wipe a light coat of mineral oil, or a beeswax blend, on them and let that dry.

I use this oil & wax combo for my cutting boards and utensils: https://amzn.to/4pYD8Rt

Final thoughts: simple care beats replacement

This method saves money and extends what you already own