The Right Way to Clean Wooden Spoons
The Right Way to Clean Wooden Spoons (It's Not What You've Seen Online)
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If you've scrolled past a video telling you to soak your wooden spoons in boiling water, I want to stop you right there because that trend, while well-intentioned, can actually do more harm than good.
Why You Should Never Soak Wooden Spoons
Wood is porous. That's part of what makes it such a great material for kitchen tools in the first place because it has natural antimicrobial properties. But those same pores mean that when you soak a wooden spoon, it absorbs water. Over time, that leads to warping, cracking, and splitting. And ironically, soaking doesn't even get your spoon cleaner…it just traps moisture deep in the grain, which is the opposite of what you want.
The fix is simple: treat wood the way it wants to be treated. Quick contact with water, thorough drying, and occasional conditioning.
My Everyday Method
Wash immediately after use with a bit of dish soap and a sponge … no soaking required.
Dry right away. Don't let a wet spoon sit in the sink. Trapped moisture is exactly how wood starts to grow mold, and that's the real hygiene risk here, not the wood itself.
That's it for daily care. A quick wash and dry is enough to keep spoons clean and food-safe. These are my organic dish towels
For Stains or a Deeper Clean
If a spoon has stains or just needs a refresh:
Sprinkle baking soda directly on the spoon (or use an oxygen-boost cleaner).
Agitate it into the wood with a damp sponge or brush.
Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately.
No soaking involved… just a little scrubbing power where you need it.
Sealing: The Step Most People Skip
Every so often… I'd say every few weeks depending on how often you're using them- give your wooden spoons a light coat of fractionated coconut oil. It stays liquid at room temperature, absorbs easily, and helps condition the wood so it doesn't dry out or crack. Just rub a small amount in, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe off the excess.
The Bottom Line
Your wooden spoons don't need a boiling-water soak to be clean — they need quick washing, thorough drying, and occasional conditioning. Skip the soak, and your spoons will last a lot longer.