Imagine this just for a second!
You’re prepping one of your favorite dishes risotto, perhaps a mac & cheese or one of your specialties a tomato soup/sauce for that pasta your family enjoys. Only, to pick up your wooden spoon as you are about to use it to stir up in the saucepan. You realize that “My wooden spoon” had mold on it.
Are you still going to continue to use it and stir up your favorite dish? I don’t think so! You find yourself saying how did I get mold on “My wooden spoon”? And how do I clean the mold off my wooden spoon?
We are sharing with you a few easy steps to get rid of that mold on your wooden spoon.
Why Do Wooden Spoons Turn Black?
When using a wooden spoon to stir your food during cooking, the wood absorbs the moisture. Like any other kitchen utensil, you need to keep your kitchen utensils clean.
Wooden spoons are likely to get mold if they aren’t thoroughly cleaned, after washing a wooden spoon ensure it properly dries out before storing away. Bacteria build-up forms the mold around the wooden spoon.
When you discover mold on your wooden spoon it can be a health hazard if not dealt with right away. The appearance of your wooden spoon can start to change, and in addition, the bacteria build-up can make the spoon unsafe for your health, to use as a kitchen utensil.
How to Clean Your Wooden Spoon (5 Methods)
Method 1
The method is used to boil the wooden spoon.
YOU’LL NEED
1- Liter of water and a sauce pan
2- Cloth
STEPS
STEP 1: Put at least a liter of water or more in a deep sauce pan.
STEP 2: Place the deep sauce pan on the gas stove and set the heat on medium-high.
STEP 3: Bring the water to a steaming boil.
STEP 4: Put your wooden spoon in the boiling water. You will see oil and colorants floating in the water as the spoon starts to get clean.
STEP 5: Empty the water after 3 to 5 minutes.
STEP 6: Boil another liter of water to repeat the first four steps above.
STEP 7: Empty the sauce pan again and repeat the process again. The water should start to be clear of the oil and colorants from the wooden spoon.
STEP 8: Remove the wooden spoon from water, and use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove excess water.
STEP 9: Air dry on the kitchen counter.
Method 2
The cleaning method using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda cleans my wooden spoon, but oiling protects it.
YOU’LL NEED
1- Big bowl
2- White/distilled vinegar a quarter cup (1/4 cups)
3- Baking soda – a tablespoon (15ML)
4- Liquid soap
5- Sponge
6- Cloth
7- Vegetable oil
STEPS
STEP 1: Rinse your wooden spoon thoroughly to remove all oils any food particles.
STEP 2: Place your wooden spoon on the kitchen sink.
STEP 3: Pour warm water in the sink or a big bowl.
STEP 4: Add a quarter cup of regular white or distilled vinegar, a tablespoon of Baking of soda, and finally add in your liquid soap.
STEP 5: Scrub your wooden spoon with a sponge; use a sponge with has a rough scratchy side. First scrub with the scratchy pad area.
STEP 6: Rinse the wooden spoon clean and damp dry with a dry cloth or paper towel.
STEP 7: Allow the wooden spoon to air dry or sun dry it for about 45 minutes.
STEP 8: Once it is completely dry, now get ready to oil the wooden spoon.
STEP 9: Use vegetable oil, olive oil, seed oil, or even avocado oil. Put about one tablespoon of oil in a bowl and rub it generously all over the wooden spoon.
STEP 10: This final process keeps the wooden spoon new looking for a long period of time.
Tip: Try doing this process at least once a month for a long-lasting wooden spoon.
Method 3
This is the method that uses the traditional way of washing dishes in the sink.
YOU’LL NEED
1- Sponge
2- Hot/warm water
3- Liquid soap
4- Cloth
STEPS
STEP 1: Rinse the wooden spoon in the kitchen sink after use.
STEP 2: Scrub the wooden spoon with the scratchy side of a sponge.
STEP 3: Wash it with hot soapy water.
STEP 4: Rinse it clean once that is done.
STEP 5: Damp dry it with a cloth or paper towel.
STEP 6: Air-dry it on the kitchen counter.
STEP 7: Do not wash it in the dishwasher as it will be damaged.
Method 4
This method is the triple threat of salt, bicarbonate soda, and liquid soap.
YOU’LL NEED
1- Kosher salt
2- Bicarbonate of soda
3- Liquid soap
4- Sponge
5- Big bowl
6- Kettle of boiled water
7- Cloth
STEPS
STEP 1: Rinse the wooden spoon with warm water.
STEP 2: Place it on a flat surface and rub some coarse salt or kosher salt and bicarbonate soda.
STEP 3: Grab your sponge and squeeze a generous amount of liquid soap on the scratchy side of the sponge.
STEP 4: Scrub your wooden spoon for about 1 to 2 minutes.
STEP 5: Take a big bowl and add boiled water.
STEP 6: Place your wooden spoon in the bowl and let it soak for about 5 to 10 minutes.
STEP 7: Once done rinse the wooden spoon and damp try it with a cloth.
STEP 8: Leave it to air dry before placing it back into the storage area.
Method 5
The method of using hydrogen peroxide cleans my wooden spoon.
YOU’LL NEED
1- Quarter sliced lemon
2- Hydrogen peroxide
3- Sponge
4- Cloth
STEPS
STEP 1: Rinse your wooden spoon after using it thoroughly.
STEP 2: Cut out a quarter of fresh lemon and rub it thoroughly on your wooden spoon.
STEP 3: Next step spray on hydrogen peroxide.
STEP 4: Let it sit on the wooden spoon, roughly for 5 minutes.
STEP 5: Next step, grab your sponge and use the scratchy side of the sponge to scrub your wooden spoon and repeat the previous step.
STEP 6: Once done, rinse your wooden spoon thoroughly and damp dry it with a cloth.
STEP 7: Before putting it back in the storage area let the wooden spoon air dry on the kitchen counter/top.
Do Wooden Spoons Hold Bacteria?
A wooden spoon is a second-most toxic utensil in your kitchen storage. It is prone to hold in the foods it has absorbed and that can build up bacteria. For example, when you use your wooden spoon to stir up your food.
Whatever dish you’re making, the food’s liquid is absorbed into the wooden spoon. That is why it is important for you to make sure that you clean your wooden spoon thoroughly.
The good news you can use these inexpensive cleaning methods to maintain a bacteria and mold-free wooden spoon.
Conclusion
A few simple steps should make your wooden spoon mold-free and bacteria-free. It should not be a tedious process for you to keep your wooden spoon clean as it is already very inexpensive to maintain your favorite kitchen utensil.
Cheers!
