Wooden spoons require special care in the kitchen. Learn how to keep your wooden spoons in perfect condition in a few easy steps!
I have a collection of wooden spoons that I use frequently in my kitchen. They are perfect for mixing together batters, stirring caramel without causing it to become grainy, and so many other uses. They are really one of my favorite kitchen utensils!
Learning how to properly care for your wooden spoons ensures that they’ll be around for generations.
How to Care for Wooden Spoons
Clean
- Keep your wooden spoons meticulously clean. I’ve found that it is easiest to wash them as soon as they have been used to prevent items from sticking to the wood and hardening.
- Wash them by hand, never in the dishwasher. As tempting as it may be to place them in the dishwasher, the water temperature and drying methods used by dishwashers will dry out your wooden spoons causing them to crack and split.
- Do not allow them to soak in water. Excess water will cause your wooden spoons to swell and crack.
Dry
- Keep them dry. As soon as you’ve cleaned them, dry them well with a lint-free drying cloth.
Store
- Keep your wooden spoons stored in a well-ventilated, clean location. I store mine in a crock beside my cooktop. You can also store them in a drawer.
Condition
- Periodically, you’ll need to condition your wooden spoons to keep them in tip-top shape. I like to use a little mineral oil on a clean, lint-free cloth.
I appreciate you helping me to understand that it is important to store wooden spoons in an area that is well-ventilated. In addition to that, I would think that you would want to store them in an area that doesn’t get humid and doesn’t have too much sunlight exposure. It seems like you could use an open container that is in your closet to store your wooden spoons.
I love you web site and needed a reminder about wooden my wooden spoons and not putting them in the dish washer. I might add do not put your wooden cutting boards in the dish washer and I clean mine with a couple of lemon slices and salt. Is this a proper way to clean them?
Thanks Diana! I’m happy to have you here and glad you found the info helpful! 😉
So true about wooden cutting boards – don’t put them in dishwasher either.
Lemon slices and salt can be used some to remove odors.
I like to clean mine after each use the same as do my wooden spoons, with a bit of warm/hot soapy water, rinse and dry the boards well. Don’t allow to soak in water. After towel drying, allow to get completely air dry too by standing on end.
I also condition my wooden cutting boards regularly. You can use mineral oil and conditioners made for butcher block cutting boards.
Thanks so much! xo
Thank you for the tips on the Cast Iron and the wooden spoons. I use both most of the time. So far I have had no problems, but that was luck. My fry pan needs some work, but my wooden utensils are great. I will get on with a proper cleaning with the fry pan today. I very much enjoy add a pinch. Thank you again. Ruth
I didn’t know about the mineral oil. Thanks! Pinning!
You can get mineral oil with orange scent, Ironwood Gourmet, I’ve used this for years, wooden spoons, butcher blocks, wooden cutting boards, will last a very long time
Lil tip from Kelowna BC, Canada