When it comes to kitchenware, be it serveware, kitchen tools, or utensils, nothing beats the timeless appeal of woodenware. From chopping boards to stirring spoons to salad bowls – wooden kitchenware inserts a rustic charm and an air of comfort in your cooking space. 

And often these handcrafted high-quality sylvan kitchen accessories are passed down to us from generation after generation. Also, more people are becoming environmentally conscious and investing further in natural and sustainable kitchen accessories, making woodenware quite popular in the market. 

Apart from their eco-friend qualities, wooden kitchenware is also ideal for cooking and eating because a lot of types of wood used in making utensils often contain antibacterial properties, which protect the food from germs, bacteria, and mold. 

However, since natural wood tends to absorb water, and has its own limitations, the type and level of care it requires differ from kitchen tools made of other materials like metal or plastic. Wooden kitchenware can last for a long-long time, but this sustainability requires a lot of care. 

Being a home decor company that manufactures a lot of wooden handmade kitchen accessories, we at Casa Decor understand how customers can be clueless about the cleaning process of wooden utensils, so, hopeful this guide will help you learn some tips.  

From wooden chopping boards to bowls and coasters, learn how to expand the longevity of wooden kitchen utensils so that they as good as new for a couple of generations.

How to Take Care of Wooden Bowls, Trays & Other Utensils

NEVER PUT WOODEN UTENSILS IN THE DISHWASHER

Putting wooden kitchenware in the dishwasher is a big No-NO. The detergents, heat, and forceful water pressure can cause wooden products to develop cracks/ splits or warp the contents, damaging them permanently. So make sure to always hand-wash them, following the instructions mentioned below.

STEP 1: Hand-Wash with Some Soap and Hot Water Right After Using 

Simply put the dirty wooden dishes under hot water and rub them gently with soap. You can use a nylon or sponge scrubbing pad for getting rid of all the leftover particles from wooden utensils. It is recommended that you clean them immediately after use, especially if the food had liquid in it or contained color.

STEP 2: Wipe-off the Excess Moisture 

Once washed, ensure to remove all the excess water from the utensils by patting them dry with a hand towel. This will help it dry faster and will also prevent the wooden utensil from soaking too much water, which can cause it to expand, which increases the chances of it cracking.

STEP 3: Let Them Thoroughly Air-Dry

Once you are done cleaning the wooden dishes, just let them sit and air-dry naturally. Don’t put them in cabinets until they are thoroughly dry. Otherwise, the moisture trapped in between the wood won’t be able to dry, and its accumulation over time can lead to the formation of cracks and warps on the wood. So, be it coasters, platters or wooden bowls always make sure to let dry before keeping them back in their places. 

DONTS: Never Leave a Wooden Kitchenware to Soak in the Sink Overnight

On tiring days, the idea of leaving the dirty dishes out in the sink to soak overnight after cooking feels very tempting! But sadly it’s a major No-can-do for any type of wooden kitchenware.

By leaving the dishes and letting them soak, you are allowing the dirty remaining food to soak in the wood with the water, which not only spoils the utensil by increasing the risk of damage but also make it develop a weird smell and taste which will be a nightmare to get rid of. 

Plus, the accumulated food particles in the cracks of wood will also create a health risk by allowing bacteria to proliferate and spread around. So, if you want your vintage wooden kitchen accessories and tools last longer you will have to wash them immediately after use. 

ROUTINELY TREAT THE UTENSILS WITH MINERAL OILS

Oiling is a great way of keeping your wooden utensils glowing. It is recommended that you rub wooden tools and kitchenware with mineral oil once a month to retain their color and shape. These mineral oils are 100% food-safe and quickly soak in the wood. The oil basically helps the kitchen utensils efficiently repel water and retain their natural beautiful vibrancy. 

Beeswax compounds are also effective for this purpose. Schedule some time for rubbing mineral oil whenever you feel like your chopping boards, trays, or coasters are losing their vibrancy and glow. 

NOTE: Make sure to only use oils that are designed to be used on wood. Food-based oils like canola and olive oil can give your utensils a rancid and unpleasant smell so only use approved mineral oils. 

Use Sandpaper for Buffing- out Rough Spots

Wooden utensils and tools often develop rough spots over time, which can be easily smoothed out using sandpaper. Sandpaper helps get rid of the roughness and makes it smooth. Once done with this process, simply apply mineral oil to the wooden kitchenware and it will be as good as new!

How to Deal with Food Stain? 

Food is colorful, and will definitely leave some stains on your wooden utensils, whether it’s the juices of beetroot on your cutting board, the stain of wine on your wooden coasters, or the mustard in your salad bowl. But don’t worry, because we have a few solutions!

As discussed above, the first strategy is to clean them instantly with hot water and scrub the food stain out. And for aggressive stains, try using a mixture of baking soda and lemon, and scrubbing it directly on the stain. 

Sometimes stains can be stubborn and leave a light mark, which shouldn’t be a cause of worry if you are properly cleaning and drying the utensils. Continued cleaning will automatically make the stains naturally fade away. 

However, if the food starts to taste weird when served in that utensil, throw it away as it might be spoiled by bacteria. 

How to Deal With Weird Smell on Wooden Kitchen Accessories?

There are several ways of getting rid of the smell on your wooden cutting boards, bowls, and trays. One way is to put a mixture of lemon onto the utensil and let it dry. You can also try white vinegar, as it also has a quality that helps in erasing smell. However, the first method of rubbing lemon juice directly on the woodenware seemed to have worked for most people. And also leaving the lemon on the utensil gives it a fresh lemony fragrance. 

Use these simple measures for taking care of your wooden kitchenware and accessories!

If you are looking for sustainable kitchen accessories, sylvan serveware, and more, you can explore CASA DECOR Kitchen Collection at https://www.casadecor.co.in/collections/kitchen-bar.