Food - Drink
Why You Should Always Clean Wooden Utensils As Soon As Possible
By LAUREN ROTHMAN
Wooden spoons, spatulas, and other utensils are a kitchen staple for most home cooks, but properly caring for these tools is a bit more finicky than caring for metal knives or porcelain plates, which can be thrown in the dishwasher anytime you please. This is why you should always clean your wooden utensils ASAP.
Wooden utensils are porous, meaning they absorb water, flavors, and odors from food, which can lead to bacteria growth. To list a few "don'ts" for these tools, they can't be washed in the dishwasher because the wood's natural, protective oils will be stripped away, nor can they be dried lying flat, which can lead to warping and cracking.
At the very least, you should rinse your wooden utensils right after you're done using them, then thoroughly wash them with warm water and a mild soap later on. Food and bacteria can get trapped in crevices of wooden spoons and other tools, and you want to get that stuff out of the wood before it gets stuck in there for good.
You should also periodically deep-clean your wooden utensils with a 15-minute soak in hydrogen peroxide or a scrub with a paste of baking soda and water. Also, the oils in the wood will evaporate over time, leaving it dry and prone to splintering, so rub your utensils with pure beeswax or mineral oil to keep them in good shape.
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