Wooden pots are the most durable and versatile cooking equipment. But the recipes you use can make or break wooden utensils. Stains on wooden utensils can be easily made by hand with a little wood stain and elbow grease. But if you want to finish that cutting board or replace damaged handles, that’s where proper care comes in handy. If you want them to look beautiful. Then look at how to care for wooden utensils for a long-lasting natural-looking set.
Although many wooden utensils will last for decades after careful use. It is a good idea to test them frequently to ensure they are still in good condition.
Wooden pots are usually made from hardwoods like oak, maple, and pine. These woods have more durable qualities that make them a better choice for their cooking experience than their plastic counterparts. However, if the wooden utensils are not cleaned properly or stored in a place where the humidity is high.
Wood is an excellent material for working. It offers many benefits due to its natural properties and is usually easy to work with. However, it is important to take care of your utensils, as not doing so. You can have a detrimental effect on their lifespan and overall quality.
Always Wash Your Wooden Utensils By Hand
Use only hot water when washing dishes. You can increase the effectiveness of dishwashing detergent by adding a cup or two of vinegar to the washing cycle. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which can remove grease and dirt residue and help clean surfaces and tools.
Use paper towels instead of cloth towels to dry your hands, dishes, bathroom utensils, etc. Cloth towels can attract bacteria that can contaminate other parts of the family. A good rule of thumb is not to use a towel until your hands are naturally dry. This reduces the risk of bacteria spreading from one surface to another.
Use Mild Dish Soap With Warm Water
1. Sanitize your wood cutting boards using hot water and mild soap. Wash them well then rinse them well with clean water. This step is necessary to remove the harmful bacteria that have accumulated on them over time.
2. Avoid rubbing your wooden utensils together. Instead, use a soft brush. If this is not possible, wipe them off with a damp cloth before each use.
3. Use lemon juice instead of vinegar to maintain the longevity of your woodworking tools.
4. Properly store your wooden utensils to protect their natural oils from drying out. Wood can dry out very easily, especially if the oil comes in contact with air. To prevent this from happening, store your utensils in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Wooden containers should always be stored vertically, as they are usually designed to sit upright.
5. Always keep your wooden utensils dry. Moisture deforms the wood and splits it into splinters. This problem is common in humid environments where the humidity level rises above fifty percent. Therefore, the best way to dry your wooden utensils is to hang them upside down on a rack or hook. In addition, be sure to keep your wooden container in a sealed plastic bag to seal any moisture.
6. Do not leave your wooden utensils outside overnight. This will allow moisture to condense on them and cause them to deform and rot.
Wear Gloves Before Cleaning With Bleach
You should wear gloves when cleaning your equipment. This protects your hands from potential chemicals and helps prevent the spread of germs.
Do not use disinfectants that contain any type of chlorine bleach (such as Clorox). These chemicals are extremely toxic to humans and can cause severe burns. Disinfecting your equipment with these products can cause serious damage to your health. You should disinfect your equipment using only non-toxic substances such as alcohol or detergent rubs.
Why Wear Latex?
Wearing gloves can be helpful when using any chemical product. These include gloves made from natural rubber such as rubber gloves. Some people who are allergic to latex may have a reaction if they come in contact with something that contains latex. So if you’re not sure if you have a latex allergy, it’s always better to be sorry.
Natural rubber gloves are widely available in drug stores and grocery stores. They are great because they protect your hands and wrists from chemicals that can cause irritation. If you do not like wearing latex gloves, you can choose vinyl gloves. Vinyl gloves usually cost less than latex gloves but are not as comfortable. Vinyl gloves are often used in industrial settings where they come in contact with harsh chemicals.
How Do I Clean My Wood Tools?
Firstly, there are several ways you can take care of your wooden utensils. You can use soap and water, dishwashing liquid, alcohol rub, citrus fruit juice (like lemon), ammonia, or bleach. Depending on what you plan to do, you may want to use only one method. Things can get worse if you use multiple methods.
Some people use rubbing alcohol and dishwashing detergent. Alcohol rubbing has some benefits, such as drying wood and removing stains.
However, it should never be used on perforated surfaces such as wooden pots. Dishwashing detergent also works well, but it should not be used immediately after washing. After using the dishwashing detergent, wait three days before soaking the wooden items in hot water.
Treat With Mineral Oil Regularly
Mineral oil is used to prevent bacterial growth and contamination of food items and to preserve food freshness. Applying a few drops of it on the wood can increase its lifespan.
However, there are certain types of wood that cannot tolerate direct exposure to mineral oil. These include teakwood, mahogany, cherry, oak, maple, Maho, and cedar. Mineral oil can cause the corrosion of metals like brass and copper.
If you notice stains in your container after using mineral oil, clean them properly before storing them. You can apply a layer of petroleum jelly instead or use a metallic polish to clean them.
Wood soap is a natural product derived from wood residues and vegetable fats. Its application helps maintain the quality of wood products, including furniture, floors, doors, railings, etc. Use a mixture of water and vinegar as a soap solution to remove stains from wood surfaces.
In 100 ml hot water adds 10-20 ml cold distilled water and 20 ml white vinegar. The soap solution should be thoroughly mixed before applying it to the wood surface. Leave overnight to dry.
Clean The Wooden Spoon After Use
A dirty wooden spoon can grow and spread bacteria in your kitchen. To prevent this, wash the wooden spoon thoroughly with warm water and soap during each use. Rinse the wooden spoon thoroughly under running tap water and let it dry completely. If a wooden spoon is used to cook food, wash it immediately with hot water and soap. Do not soak it in water for long, otherwise, it will become light.
Store wooden spoons in a clean, dry container away from direct sunlight. Wooden pots should be delicate and away from moisture. This includes keeping them in a damp place like a basement, bathroom, or kitchen.
Washing wooden spoons every week helps maintain their quality. When washing wooden spoons, avoid using detergents and abrasive cleaning products. Use lukewarm water instead. Remove excess water from the wooden spoon with a soft cloth.
Rinse Immediately After Use
Store wooden pots away from sunlight and moisture. Wood absorbs moisture. It makes it susceptible to rot and mold when exposed to humid conditions. To prevent this, store your wooden utensils indoors or in containers where moisture levels are low.
Dry the wooden utensils immediately after washing them. You can dry your wooden pots outside at a temperature of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit or in a warm oven. Make sure the drying area has good air circulation and is free from any contaminants. Some materials do not tolerate heat well and drying at high temperatures can damage your wooden utensils.
Never place wooden utensils outside in direct contact with food or beverages. Therefore, Wooden containers absorb liquids. This can lead to product deterioration and even contamination. If possible, do not allow children to play with wooden utensils.
Wash wooden utensils frequently. Your wooden utensils should be cleaned regularly to keep them fresh. Regular cleaning of your wooden utensils will help to preserve their beauty and prolong their life.
Rinse And Dry With A Towel
The first step is to always wash your wooden utensils after use. It can prevent mold and soft formation due to moisture in the wood. To get rid of any dirt that has accumulated on the surface of the wooden pot, use a rag soaked in water and wipe the whole tool. Then, you can either dry them completely or let them air dry if they are not used now.
Above all, knowing how to care for wooden utensils will depend on you.
Using Baking Soda And Lemon Juice
Baking soda is an excellent cleaner. To remove dirt and germs from hardwood surfaces. Use half a cup of baking soda mixed with hot water, then rub the mixture on the surface. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, pat dry, and apply a wax coating.
If your wood-cutting board or table comes in contact with bacteria, use a little lemon juice to disinfect it. Just mix an equal amount of rubbing alcohol with one tablespoon of lemon juice and use this solution to remove your wood.
It cleans, disinfects, and kills bacteria. Lemon juice helps to clean the residue left after using the pot. Use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and lemon juice per quart of water. Finally, Immerse the cleaned pots in the solution overnight.
Disinfect Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (H20) is commonly used to disinfect objects that are not permanently submerged in water, such as cutting boards, knives, etc. Applied to wood surfaces without fear of surface damage, but just like any other. Other chemical treatments, should be used only once if you want lasting results.
To increase its effectiveness, use a small amount of it according to the instructions. If your target area has low humidity, you may need two applications of H20. Apply one coat first and let it dry before applying another coat.
Soak A Wooden Spoon In Vinegar To Remove the Odor
How to get rid of odors, kill bacteria, kill viruses, disinfect and purify water, reduce dust, remove stains, remove bad breath, remove hair follicles, prevent mold/blemishes Yes, fight against pests and insects, prevent dry rot and fight against fungi, pests that can cause disease and much more.
1. Use a wooden spoon (not plastic), not metal.
2. Soak a wooden spoon in vinegar overnight.
3. Rinse the spoon well under water before use.
4. If necessary, soak and wash this once a year.
5. Repeat steps 1-3 if a bad odor comes out of the wooden spoon.
6. After use, carefully wash the wooden spoon under running water so that no residue accumulates.
7. Avoid storing wooden spoons in direct sunlight.
8. Avoid soaking wooden spoons in citrus juice, especially lemon or lime. Citrus wood can be brittle.
9. Do not soak a wooden spoon in alcohol, acetone, nail polish remover, or another similar chemical rub. These substances can damage your wooden spoon.
10. Wooden spoons are cheap! Don’t throw them away yet. Use these pots as gold; They will survive well after their first season.
Soak In A Mild Bleach Solution
Wood tools are perforated and absorb paint from around them. Therefore, if you use them for cooking with cannabis seeds, soak your pans in a mild bleach solution before cooking. This prevents stains and keeps your wooden furniture 100% clean!
Take care of any wooden tools you use every day. To clean stains on tools such as knives, sieves, and sieves, place them in a bowl filled with hot water and dish soap. Let them soak in this mixture for about 15 minutes. Once soaked, wash the stain thoroughly with running water and then dry the pan with a towel.
You can either soak your equipment repeatedly in the cleaning solution until they show no signs of stains. Or just wash it once with soap and water and let it air dry. Regardless of the method, you want to go with, be sure to use your tools immediately after washing. Don’t let them get wet.
Periodically Apply Of Oil To Keep The Renewal And Vitality
1. Olive oil
Olive oil has several benefits that help you maintain your kitchen wood utensils. These include keeping them clean, and healthy and prolonging their life by preventing moisture absorption. You should use olive oil at least once a month to prevent the wood from drying out. If you let your wooden utensils dry, be sure to apply a coat of olive oil to help them repair themselves.
2. Coconut oil
Coconut oil may smell good but its use is just outside of aromatherapy. Apply coconut oil to wooden tools once every three months so that they are always protected from moisture. Also, it’s great for cleaning and sanitizing your outdoor cooking equipment.
3. Butter
Butter doesn’t just come in the form of a disposable food product. Use butter to protect wooden tools from mold and leopards. To clean any type of wooden tool, dip it in melted butter and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing.
Prepare Them For Drying
1. Wash and clean wood surfaces using soap and water. Wipe dry with a paper towel.
2. Use a toothbrush or other sharp object to gently rub any dirt on the surface with soap and water. After brushing, wash well again.
3. For wood chopping boards or cutting boards, use a non-abrasive cleaner like white vinegar to remove any stains or residue from your board.
4. Clean and polish your knife regularly with a soft cloth or steel wool.
5. To make your tools and equipment look their best, cover them with a dusting sealer or wax.
6. Store your equipment out of direct sunlight, at room temperature, under the sink also
The Final Thought
This article provides practical advice for those who want to know about the maintenance of wooden utensils. Wooden pots have many advantages over other styles and materials, including the ability to design beautifully or sculpt.
While wooden utensils are easy to care for, there are some useful tips to help keep them in optimal condition. This includes how often oils should be given.
Proper care is essential to preserve the strength and flexibility of each item. Therefore, Cleaning and maintaining wooden utensils can help reduce the risk of warping, decay, or mold growth.
It is always best to protect your spoon. So it lasts longer and the wood does not dry out or crack. By achieving it in a closed container that will protect the wood. But allow air to enter so that the moisture can evaporate. I store all my wooden cooking utensils in a slotted rack. Each container has its own space and lies against each other to allow air to flow.
Cleaning with a damp cloth or washed immediately with warm, soapy water and immediately drying with a soft cloth. Do not use bleach on wood cutting boards, as they may swell or shrink. Hopefully, now you have learned how to care for wooden utensils.
