You probably have at least a few wooden spoons and spatulas in your kitchen that are a few years old. While you may clean them regularly, you may also find that some of them never seem to be really cleaned, especially if they are stained by some kind of sauce or food. While wooden kitchen utensils are a great alternative to toxic black plastic utensils, they require a little more care to remain durable.
I spoke with several cleaning experts to learn how to clean wooden kitchen utensils and accessories like spoons, cutting boards, spatulas, and more. Below, they share the best ways to remove stains and odors, and how to actually keep your dishes clean.
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Best Products for Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils
Before following the steps for cleaning utensils, you’ll need to gather your supplies as shown below. Featured products on this list are highly rated and have received at least a four-star rating from 500 or more Amazon shoppers and/or direct recommendations from our fellow Woodware Users staff.
The brand says the food-safe mineral oil contains no fragrance or odor and is safe to use on kitchen utensils made from a variety of different types of wood, as well as other products made from bamboo. While you can use it on many different types of wooden kitchen utensils, the brand recommends using it primarily for cleaning and moisturizing wooden cutting boards, butcher blocks, and even some non-wood surfaces like stainless steel ovens or refrigerators. Plus, shoppers say it’s easy to apply (you just add some oil to a kitchen towel and rub it into the surface) and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling.
If you’re looking to start with a brand new dinnerware set, this dinnerware set is a great place to start; each piece is BPA-free, and the set includes a spoon and spatula combo made from teak wood, along with a stand to keep them all in one place and a wooden spoon holder for you to use while cooking. It also comes with metal hooks so you can hang your spoons and spatulas using the little loops on their handles. You can buy sets of 6, 8 or 10 pieces, as well as popular cutting board sets.
Dawn’s popular Powerwash Dishwashing Spray is one of my most recommended products because it’s so versatile and perfect for washing dishes made of all materials without accidentally overusing soap. The starter kit comes with a spray bottle and three refills. It’s great for cleaning wooden kitchen utensils without leaving a strong scent (this spray has a clean but not harsh smell). Additionally, the brand recommends using it to clean other surfaces such as stainless steel appliances and even some clothes.
To clean, dry and oil wooden kitchen utensils, you should have a set of kitchen cloths or towels like these. Available in a variety of sizes, these towels have a waffle-like (honeycomb) texture that helps absorb moisture and dry quickly, according to the brand. Shoppers say these towels are highly absorbent and soft to the touch.
I love using Scrub Dad (and Scrub Mom) sponges to clean all of my dishes, especially dishes and utensils where food tends to stick. When I use these sponges, they do a great job of wiping away crusty food residue from dishes, and they also work well at cleaning oil and grease from pans, plates, etc. You do have to use a lot of water to make them usable and squeezable, but they also last a long time compared to traditional kitchen sponges.
How to clean wooden kitchenware
Robin Murphy, cleaning expert and chief cleaning officer at home cleaning company Maid Brigade, says it’s important to make sure items like wooden spoons, spatulas and cutting boards are thoroughly dried and washed. Make sure to clean them thoroughly using warm water, dish soap, and a sponge or soft brush.
“Wash them after use, rinse well and dry with a clean towel,” she says. “Let them dry completely before putting them away. If the wood starts to look dry, condition it with a small amount of food-grade mineral oil.”
Additionally, Kadi Dulude, cleaning expert and owner of Wizard of Homes, a home cleaning company, says it’s important to clean wooden kitchen appliances with a brush or sponge to help clean the gaps and grooves in the wooden surface. “Use a bit of mild dish soap and a sponge/brush to remove any food particles, also paying attention to getting into grooves and seams,” she says. “Then rinse and air dry. Don’t lay them flat on a damp cloth or in an area with poor air circulation, or mold can grow.”
Here are step-by-step instructions for you from the experts:
- After using wooden spoons, spatulas, cutting boards or other wooden kitchen utensils, rinse them immediately with warm water to remove residue. Do not put it in the dishwasher.
- Pour warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap (such as Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dishwashing Spray) onto a sponge, soft brush, or Scrub Daddy and use it to gently scrub the surface of a wooden spoon, spatula, or cutting board, focusing on the surfaces and ends that come into contact with food.
- Rinse them thoroughly with warm water, pat them dry with paper towels or kitchen towels, and place them on a drying rack so they are fully exposed to air to dry them as quickly as possible (for example, don’t lay them flat on a kitchen towel).
- For old wooden vessels that are dry and faded, both Murphy and Dulude recommend using a food-grade mineral oil designed to condition wooden accessories, such as Kate Naturals Mineral Oil for Wood Cutting Boards. When the wooden vessel is completely dry, apply a small amount of mineral oil to the cloth and rub the oil into its surface. Allow utensils to dry completely before storing or using.
Can wooden utensils be put in the dishwasher?
Both Murphy and Dulude advise against washing wooden kitchen utensils in the dishwasher (even if the label says they are dishwasher safe) because the process can cause very serious damage to the surface of the utensil.
“It’s not good to run your dishwasher too hot and leave wood in a hot, humid environment for too long. This can cause your items to warp or crack,” says Dulude. “Some utensils may be dishwasher safe, but if you really want to extend their life, wash them by hand.” Additionally, water expands as it dries, causing wooden kitchen utensils to crack and chip, Murphy said.
How to maintain wooden kitchenware
As I mentioned above, Murphy and Dulude recommend using mineral oil to help maintain wooden kitchen appliances. Food-grade mineral oil helps restore moisture to wooden spoons, spatulas, and cutting boards without giving them a greasy feel or making food greasy. This is similar to seasoning a cast iron skillet or using moisturizer on your face to help restore your natural skin barrier.
When is it time to replace wooden kitchen appliances?
Pay attention to whether the wood surface is damaged or rough. “Once you start to see deep cracks, you should stop using it because food and moisture can get into the cracks and contaminate the [the next] food [you’re preparing]”, Du Ruud said. “If only [a] If there are small imperfections or roughness, then you can salvage it by lightly sanding and using food-grade mineral oil. “
What products should not be used on wooden kitchen appliances? Why?
Murphy says you should avoid using harsh cleaning products like pure bleach or abrasive cleaners like powders or pastes because they can stain the surface of the wood. She also says to avoid things like vegetable or olive oils because they can turn rancid over time, which is why food-safe mineral oils are best. It’s also a reminder of why it’s important to clean them thoroughly, as they may have come into contact with things like vegetables and olive oil through cooking and food preparation.
Meet our cleaning experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have expertise and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert opinions and advice are independent and free from undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Robin Murphy is a cleaning expert, chief cleaning officer of home cleaning company Maid Brigade, and writer for cleaning website Who Likes It Dirty.
- Cady Durude is a cleaning expert and owner of Wizard of Homes, a home cleaning company.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I’m the business editor for NBC Selected, where I write about home and cleaning appliances. I’ve written about how to clean hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances as well as the best shower cleaning products. For this story, I spoke to several cleaning experts for their guidance and advice.
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