At first glance, wooden cooking utensils appear to be very attractive. However, this quickly changes when they are used for cooking. Sauces, soups, and pan dishes are tough on utensils. The wood discolours and frequently smells strongly. Food residue sticks to the wood much faster than it does to metal or silicone cooking spoons.
Germs can always get inside because wood is porous by nature. But it doesn’t have to come to that if you clean your utensils on a regular basis. Discolouration and germs will no longer have a chance!
Cleaning kitchen spoons: This home remedy is effective at removing discolouration and bacteria.
To clean wooden cooking utensils thoroughly, you only need one home remedy: baking soda. And here’s how it works:
1. Combine one sachet baking soda and 500 ml hot water.
2. Soak the wooden spoons and other similar cooking utensils in it for up to 4 hours.
3. Finally, rinse the wooden spoons under running water and allow them to dry. And the discolouration has vanished!
But why, of all things, baking soda? When the household remedy penetrates the wood fibres, it removes germs, bacteria, and, incidentally, discolouration. This popular household remedy can also be used to clean carpets and mattresses. Try it out.
There is a simple trick that can be used to prevent future odours and discolouration. Hold the spoon under cold water before stirring if you’re cooking with fat. This “insulation” makes it more difficult for fat to adhere to the surface. This also makes it more difficult for odours to permeate the wood.
How to Keep Your Cooking Utensils Forever
Wooden cooking spoons require proper care to keep them looking pristine for a long time. But how does that work in practice? Cleaning with baking powder or bicarbonate of soda is simple, as is maintenance:
Tip 1: Apply oil to wooden spoons. After each use, give your wooden cooking utensils a quick wipe down with rapeseed, sunflower, olive, or walnut oil. In addition to caring for the wood, the oil also acts as a protective film. You can either rub the cooking utensils with a little oil or place them in an oil-filled jar for this purpose.
Tip 2: Avoid using the dishwasher: Never put wooden cooking spoons or wooden boards in the dishwasher! High temperatures can cause the wood to crack, making it easier for germs and bacteria to enter. Cleaning the cooking utensils immediately after each use with a drop of dishwashing liquid and a sponge is usually sufficient.
Tip 3: Clean wooden cooking spoons with salt water: In addition to washing with baking soda or baking powder, you can occasionally soak your wooden cooking spoons in hot water and salt. This home remedy has the same effect and consistently cleans the utensils.