Natural tips: How to maintain your wooden utensils?
Wooden spoons, ladles, rollers and spatulas are real breeding grounds for bacteria. However, they are very popular in cooking, especially in baking, for many reasons. This material already brings a natural, warm and healthy touch to your kitchen. In addition to being solid, it does not scratch your pans and pots with a non-stick or metallic coating. In addition, its insulating properties give you the opportunity to stay warm and cook in complete peace of mind. Of course, wood is naturally anti-bacterial. But if it's not properly cared for, it can be a disaster. Here are some tips on how to wash and maintain it so that you can keep it for life.
Ensure regular cleaning and drying
To keep your wooden utensil in good condition, your first reflex is to clean and dry the tools properly after each use. To do this, simply polish them with a soft sponge and an ecological washing-up liquid, which is safer for food contact. Rinse with lukewarm water afterwards, without soaking the utensils in a dishwasher or sink to avoid rotting them. Boiling or very hot water also promotes the degradation of living material. Instead of using detergent, the juice of a lemon is an excellent natural sanitising alternative.
Whatever the product, you should always dry the materials well by wiping them with a clean cloth. Open air is sufficient if the wood is only slightly wet. However, avoid putting it near a strong source of heat (toaster, hotplates, etc.), otherwise it will rot or crack. Wooden utensils should therefore not be cleaned in the dishwasher.
How to take care of it naturally?
Wood is a hygienic material. However, it can accumulate odours from cooking. For example, if you chop onions on your chopping board with peeling knives the day before. And if tomorrow you plan to slice fruit on it, it's a real disaster with the smell mix that lingers. Baking soda is one of the best products to eliminate this little inconvenience.
Simply prepare a natural cleaning liquid consisting of 500 ml of warm water and a tablespoon of the white powder. You can also sprinkle the bicarbonate directly onto the board and lightly polish it with a damp sponge, then rinse it with warm water. The power of lemon to naturally deodorise woodworking utensils is well known. In addition, its antibacterial properties allow it to be disinfected at the same time.
Stains left by various ingredients (strawberries, beetroot, turmeric, etc.) on the board are not uncommon during preparation. They can disappear over time. But if you are in a hurry to see the result, sprinkle the affected material with vinegar and water, leave it to act for a good fifteen minutes before rinsing it off.
Equipment maintenance processes
Wood has an exceptional natural charm. But without regular maintenance, this is impossible. Oil is an important weapon in preventing premature ageing of the material. Choose the virtuous, greasy and moisturising qualities of olive oil, peanut oil, castor oil or sesame oil, which can nourish the natural fibres of the wood when it becomes dull and dry. Repeat the process every month or two as needed. You should also remember to disinfect your wooden utensil. After washing with ecological dishwashing liquid or lemon juice, you should immerse it for about 20 minutes in vinegar water.
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