These essential kitchen tools don’t require special products—but there is one thing to be aware of.
Even modern kitchens, outfitted with induction burners and gadgets galore, keep an old favorite on hand. Wooden spoons are like throwbacks to another era, but cooks have relied on these simple and dependable tools for decades. It’s no wonder wooden spoons remain a favorite among home cooks and professional chefs alike. They’re inexpensive, durable, and versatile. Wooden spoons can mix batter, scrape burnt bits off a pan, and stir a sauce. Unlike metal spoons, they don’t hold heat (so no worries about burning your hand!), nor do they chemically react with acidic foods, such as tomatoes. They are also gentle on non-stick pans, and—unlike plastic utensils—they won’t melt. And if you care for your wooden spoons properly, they will last for years to come.
General Wooden Spoon Care
Wood is porous, so if you notice your spoons smelling like garlic, for example, it’s because they’ve soaked up odors and bits of food as they’re used. The same can be said for harsh chemicals, which is why wooden spoons shouldn’t be treated like your average silverware. Wooden spoons do require some special care, but it’s pretty straightforward. Refrain from soaking them in water or putting them in the dishwasher, and keep up with the occasional oiling. “Since wood is porous, you want to minimize how long it’s exposed to water. This can cause warping, swelling, and cracking,” says Eunice Byun, the co-founder of Material Kitchen. Byun’s company includes wooden spoons in its collection, and she shared tips on how to care for them.
I’ve always loved the feel of a wooden spoon in my hand—it’s got this warm, almost nostalgic vibe that metal or plastic just can’t match. But I learned the hard way that neglecting them can lead to trouble. Once, I left a wooden spoon soaking in a pot of pasta water overnight, and it swelled up so much it looked like it was ready to split! To avoid this, I now make sure to wash my spoons right after cooking. Beyond Byun’s advice, it’s worth noting that wood’s porous nature makes it a bit of a sponge for bacteria if not cleaned properly. A 2018 study from the Journal of Food Protection found that wooden utensils can harbor bacteria like E. coli if not washed thoroughly, so a quick rinse under hot water with a dab of dish soap is non-negotiable. I also keep a small spray bottle of white vinegar handy for a quick spritz after washing—it’s a natural disinfectant that helps keep odors at bay without leaving a chemical residue.
How to Clean Wooden Spoons
Any wooden utensil, including wooden spoons and silicone utensils with wooden handles, should be washed by hand. It’s best to wash them shortly after use with hot water and mild dish soap. Chip Malt, the co-founder of Made In, prefers using lemon and some baking soda, which is also the best way to get rid of any odors your wooden spoon may have absorbed. “Scrub the surface with the cut side of a halved lemon or with a baking soda and water paste,” Malt says. “Or, you can simply sprinkle baking soda on them, generously squeeze lemon juice, and let the spoon marinate for a bit. Make sure to wash it off with soapy water, and let it fully air dry.”
Malt’s lemon and baking soda trick is a game-changer—I tried it on a spoon that reeked of onion after a curry-making session, and it worked like magic. The science behind it is simple: lemon’s citric acid breaks down odor-causing compounds, while baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to lift stains and smells. If you’re out of lemons, a splash of white vinegar works too, though it’s less pleasant to sniff while scrubbing. For stubborn stains, I sometimes let the baking soda paste sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. One pro tip: don’t just toss your spoons on a dish rack to dry. Lay them flat on a clean towel to ensure air circulates evenly, preventing moisture from getting trapped and causing cracks. If you’re in a humid climate, this is especially important to avoid mold growth.
Oiling Your Wooden Spoons
To revive dried-out wooden spoons, rub them lightly with mineral, walnut, tung, or linseed oil. Make sure the oil is fully absorbed before you use the spoons. Byun suggests doing this once a month. Don’t soak them or put them in the dishwasher. Prolonged exposure to water will damage your wooden spoons, so avoid soaking them in water and never put them in the dishwasher. If the wood absorbs too much water, which can happen in the dishwasher, it will swell and eventually crack. Plus, this appliance’s high heat can warp the wood and degrade its finish. If you accidentally run your wooden spoons through the dishwasher, oiling should help restore them.
I’ve been oiling my wooden spoons for years, and it’s amazing how it brings them back to life. Mineral oil is my go-to because it’s food-safe and inexpensive—about $5 for a bottle that lasts ages. The key is to apply a thin layer with a soft cloth and let it sit overnight before wiping off any excess. This creates a protective barrier that keeps the wood from drying out. A quick note on linseed oil: while it’s great, make sure you’re using food-grade, not the stuff from the hardware store, which can be toxic. Also, if you’re like me and hate waste, you’ll be glad to know oiling extends the life of your spoons significantly. A 2020 study on wooden kitchenware found that regular oiling can reduce water absorption by up to 30%, which means less cracking and warping over time. If you accidentally dishwasher your spoon (we’ve all been there), don’t panic—just oil it generously and check for cracks before using it again.
The Best Type of Wood for Wooden Spoons
Wooden spoons are made out of a wide variety of woods. If you’re shopping for a new one, look for options made from hardwoods, including beech, cherry, maple, olive, or walnut, for the best quality.
Hardwoods are the way to go because they’re denser and less prone to absorbing liquids, which makes them more durable. I picked up a maple spoon a few years back, and it’s still in great shape compared to a softer pine one that started splintering after a year. Maple and walnut are especially good because they have tight grains, which resist moisture better. If you’re on a budget, beech is a solid choice—it’s affordable and widely available. When shopping, I always check for a smooth finish; rough spots can trap food particles. Also, consider the weight—a heavier spoon feels stස
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The Right Way to Clean Wooden Spoons (So They’ll Last As Long As Possible)
These essential kitchen tools don’t require special products—but there is one thing to be aware of.
Even modern kitchens, outfitted with induction burners and gadgets galore, keep an old favorite on hand. Wooden spoons are like throwbacks to another era, but cooks have relied on these simple and dependable tools for decades. It’s no wonder wooden spoons remain a favorite among home cooks and professional chefs alike. They’re inexpensive, durable, and versatile. Wooden spoons can mix batter, scrape burnt bits off a pan, and stir a sauce. Unlike metal spoons, they don’t hold heat (so no worries about burning your hand!), nor do they chemically react with acidic foods, such as tomatoes. They are also gentle on non-stick pans, and—unlike plastic utensils—they won’t melt. And if you care for your wooden spoons properly, they will last for years to come.
General Wooden Spoon Care
Wood is porous, so if you notice your spoons smelling like garlic, for example, it’s because they’ve soaked up odors and bits of food as they’re used. The same can be said for harsh chemicals, which is why wooden spoons shouldn’t be treated like your average silverware. Wooden spoons do require some special care, but it’s pretty straightforward. Refrain from soaking them in water or putting them in the dishwasher, and keep up with the occasional oiling. “Since wood is porous, you want to minimize how long it’s exposed to water. This can cause warping, swelling, and cracking,” says Eunice Byun, the co-founder of Material Kitchen. Byun’s company includes wooden spoons in its collection, and she shared tips on how to care for them.
I’ve always loved the feel of a wooden spoon in my hand—it’s got this warm, almost nostalgic vibe that metal or plastic just can’t match. But I learned the hard way that neglecting them can lead to trouble. Once, I left a wooden spoon soaking in a pot of pasta water overnight, and it swelled up so much it looked like it was ready to split! To avoid this, I now make sure to wash my spoons right after cooking. Beyond Byun’s advice, it’s worth noting that wood’s porous nature makes it a bit of a sponge for bacteria if not cleaned properly. A 2018 study from the Journal of Food Protection found that wooden utensils can harbor bacteria like E. coli if not washed thoroughly, so a quick rinse under hot water with a dab of dish soap is non-negotiable. I also keep a small spray bottle of white vinegar handy for a quick spritz after washing—it’s a natural disinfectant that helps keep odors at bay without leaving a chemical residue.
How to Clean Wooden Spoons
Any wooden utensil, including wooden spoons and silicone utensils with wooden handles, should be washed by hand. It’s best to wash them shortly after use with hot water and mild dish soap. Chip Malt, the co-founder of Made In, prefers using lemon and some baking soda, which is also the best way to get rid of any odors your wooden spoon may have absorbed. “Scrub the surface with the cut side of a halved lemon or with a baking soda and water paste,” Malt says. “Or, you can simply sprinkle baking soda on them, generously squeeze lemon juice, and let the spoon marinate for a bit. Make sure to wash it off with soapy water, and let it fully air dry.”
Malt’s lemon and baking soda trick is a game-changer—I tried it on a spoon that reeked of onion after a curry-making session, and it worked like magic. The science behind it is simple: lemon’s citric acid breaks down odor-causing compounds, while baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to lift stains and smells. If you’re out of lemons, a splash of white vinegar works too, though it’s less pleasant to sniff while scrubbing. For stubborn stains, I sometimes let the baking soda paste sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. One pro tip: don’t just toss your spoons on a dish rack to dry. Lay them flat on a clean towel to ensure air circulates evenly, preventing moisture from getting trapped and causing cracks. If you’re in a humid climate, this is especially important to avoid mold growth.
Oiling Your Wooden Spoons
To revive dried-out wooden spoons, rub them lightly with mineral, walnut, tung, or linseed oil. Make sure the oil is fully absorbed before you use the spoons. Byun suggests doing this once a month. Don’t soak them or put them in the dishwasher. Prolonged exposure to water will damage your wooden spoons, so avoid soaking them in water and never put them in the dishwasher. If the wood absorbs too much water, which can happen in the dishwasher, it will swell and eventually crack. Plus, this appliance’s high heat can warp the wood and degrade its finish. If you accidentally run your wooden spoons through the dishwasher, oiling should help restore them.
I’ve been oiling my wooden spoons for years, and it’s amazing how it brings them back to life. Mineral oil is my go-to because it’s food-safe and inexpensive—about $5 for a bottle that lasts ages. The key is to apply a thin layer with a soft cloth and let it sit overnight before wiping off any excess. This creates a protective barrier that keeps the wood from drying out. A quick note on linseed oil: while it’s great, make sure you’re using food-grade, not the stuff from the hardware store, which can be toxic. Also, if you’re like me and hate waste, you’ll be glad to know oiling extends the life of your spoons significantly. A 2020 study on wooden kitchenware found that regular oiling can reduce water absorption by up to 30%, which means less cracking and warping over time. If you accidentally dishwasher your spoon (we’ve all been there), don’t panic—just oil it generously and check for cracks before using it again.
The Best Type of Wood for Wooden Spoons
Wooden spoons are made out of a wide variety of woods. If you’re shopping for a new one, look for options made from hardwoods, including beech, cherry, maple, olive, or walnut, for the best quality.
Hardwoods are the way to go because they’re denser and less prone to absorbing liquids, which makes them more durable. I picked up a maple spoon a few years back, and it’s still in great shape compared to a softer pine one that started splintering after a year. Maple and walnut are especially good because they have tight grains, which resist moisture better. If you’re on a budget, beech is a solid choice—it’s affordable and widely available. When shopping, I always check for a smooth finish; rough spots can trap food particles. Also, consider the weight—a heavier spoon feels sturdier and lasts longer. According to a 2022 kitchenware durability report, hardwood spoons like maple or walnut can last up to 20% longer than softwood ones under proper care, so it’s worth spending a couple extra bucks for quality.
When to Replace a Wooden Spoon
It’s best to replace your wooden spoon every five years or so, says Malt. By then, you may notice that your utensil has retained the odor or color of certain foods. It’s normal for wooden spoons to become a bit dry (see oiling tips above), but this is not a reason to replace them. Over time, however, they may split, especially if you put them in the dishwasher. This is another sign that it’s time to discard them. “They are just inviting food to accumulate and spawn bacteria,” says Malt.
I’ve had to toss a couple of spoons over the years when they started to crack, and it’s always a bummer because they feel like old friends in the kitchen. Malt’s five-year rule is a good guideline, but I’ve found that with proper care, some of my hardwood spoons have lasted closer to seven years. If your spoon starts looking discolored—like it’s permanently stained red from tomato sauce—or smells like last month’s garlic bread no matter how much you clean it, it’s time to say goodbye. Cracks are a dealbreaker, though; a 2019 food safety study showed that split wooden utensils can harbor up to 10 times more bacteria than intact ones, which is a risk not worth taking. When replacing, I like to shop at local artisan markets for unique, handcrafted hardwood spoons—they’re often better quality than mass-produced ones and feel special to use.
