How to Care for Your Wooden Kitchen Utensils

To properly care for wooden utensils, you should: hand-wash them with hot, soapy water, dry them thoroughly, and apply a food-safe oil regularly. Avoid the dishwasher, soaking in water, and leaving them wet; these are often the quickest ways to shorten the lifespan of your utensils.  

Wooden utensils can be a kitchen item that lasts forever, as long as you take care of them. The reason they have been a kitchen staple for years is that they are gentle on cookware, naturally robust, and antibacterial. But they do require a little care in return. 

In this guide, we will be discussing why utensils require special care, how to clean them properly, and whether wooden utensils are hygienic.

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Why Wooden Utensils Need Special Care

Wood is a natural porous material. Unlike plastic or metal, it absorbs what it comes into contact with: water, flavours, oil, and odours. This just means that it needs slightly different approaches to cleaning and maintenance.  

Wood won’t scratch your cookware, is naturally antibacterial, and is durable, especially when properly cared for. The key is understanding that the two biggest threats to natural wood utensils are excessive moisture and heat, both of which strip the wood of its natural oils and cause it to dry out, crack, and splinter. 

If you want to explore how wood compares to other utensil materials for safety, you can take a look at our guide to non-toxic kitchen utensils.

Caring for your wooden utensils isn't complicated. Once it becomes a habit, it doesn’t take more time than caring for other kitchen tools.

How to Clean Wooden Kitchen Utensils Properly

The golden rule is: always hand-wash, never put them in the dishwasher. 

Whether it's spoons, boards, or chopsticks, the advice is the same: don’t put them in the dishwasher. But why is the dishwasher so bad? The answer comes back to wood being a porous material. The high heat of the dishwasher will cause wooden utensils to splinter and split, and any cracks are a breeding ground for bacteria. High heat and long wash cycles strip natural oils, and leaving utensils to air dry will make them more likely to absorb moisture and odours. 

You should also avoid the social media trend of boiling your wooden utensils, as it does more harm than good.

This is what you should do instead: 

• Wash it under warm running water with a small amount of soap, using a sponge to remove any stuck-on food. 

• Do not leave your wooden utensils soaking in water; they may swell and crack. 

• Pat dry with a towel or kitchen roll and leave to air dry fully before storing. 

Wood absorbs odours and flavours quickly, so it is important to wash your utensils quickly after use. A quick rinse right after use will be faster and kinder to the wood, compared to leaving food to dry on and stain. 

Looking for sustainable swaps for your kitchen? Browse our range of natural dish brushes and eco-friendly cleaning cloths. Shop the Wild & Stone Household Collection.

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Are Wooden Utensils Hygienic?

It's a question that comes up a lot, and the short answer is yes, when cleaned correctly. 

Wooden spoons and chopping boards are hygienic; however, it is important to wash them thoroughly between uses. There may be a risk of microbiological cross-contamination if items such as chopping boards aren’t kept clean. 

The key is consistency. Washing thoroughly after every use, drying with towels, and not letting the moisture sit in cracks is all it takes. This process of quick washing and drying is all you need to keep your wooden utensils safe. 

A well-kept wooden chopping board is not more unhygienic than another chopping board material, as long as it is maintained, and it is much easier on your knives. 

How to Oil and Condition Wooden Utensils

This is where most people fall short, and can make the biggest difference to the longevity of your utensils. 

Oiling regularly replenishes the natural moisture that washing gradually removes. Once a month is a good rule of thumb for regularly used utensils, or sooner if they start to look pale or feel rough after washing. 

Of course, you should only use food-safe oils. Linseed, safflower, poppy, walnut and soybean are all great choices. They are used as cooking oil or dressings, and they polymerise, meaning they harden and cure on the surface rather than staying liquid. 

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Taking Care of Beech Wood

Beech wood is one of the most common materials for kitchen utensils. It is dense and durable with a tight grain that resists odour and staining. That same tight grain does, however, make it particularly sensitive to moisture. 

Apply oil and work it into the grain, leaving it to absorb fully. If the surface feels rough after washing, a light sanding with fine-grit paper followed by a fresh coat of oil will restore it. Beech wood should be stored somewhere with good airflow; a worktop is ideal. 

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Knowing how to care for wooden utensils properly isn’t complicated; it is a matter of a few consistent habits. Wash gently, dry fully, oil regularly, and keep them away from the dishwasher. This is all you need to do to keep your wooden utensils looking and performing well for years to come. 

At Wild & Stone, we believe that sustainable living starts at home, and that the small swaps matter. If caring for your wooden utensils has got you thinking about the rest of your kitchen, explore our collection of eco household products, from natural dish brushes to organic cotton tea towels and beyond. 

Ready to make your kitchen a little more sustainable? Shop our eco household collection.