How to Wash Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are used for cooking and stirring batters before baking. The spoons work well for stove top cooking with high temperatures, because the wood protects you from burns from an over-heated handle. Washing wooden spoons requires care to keep them from swelling and splitting open. Soaking a wooden spoon in water for more than 30 minutes or running it through a dishwasher can ruin it.

Things You'll Need

• Medium abrasive pad

Instructions

1. 

   Immerse the wooden spoon into hot, soapy dish water as soon as possible after use.

2. 

   Scrub the food matter from the wooden spoon with the abrasive pad. If the food has dried on, let the spoon sink into the hot water for five to 10 minutes at the most.

3. Gently scrape adhered food such as pasta with a sharp knife if it remains on the spoon after scrubbing once more.

4. Scrub the remainder of the food from the spoon bowl and handle.

5. 

   Rinse the spoon with very hot water. Dry the spoon right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub a brand new wooden spoon with warm mineral oil and let sit for a couple of hours. Wipe the excess from the spoon. This protects the spoon from cracking open.

• Never soak a wooden spoon for a prolonged period of time. Bacteria will form inside of the cracks.

References

• How do I Care for Wooden Spoons and Cutting Boards