How to Care for Your Wooden Kitchen Tools to Maximize Longevity
Whether it’s a handcrafted stirring spoon, a sturdy cutting board, or your favorite wooden spatula, your kitchen tools deserve the very best care—so they can thrive for years and keep your cooking cozy, natural, and sustainable.
Why Proper Care Matters
Wood is a gift from the earth: renewable, beautiful, and warm to the touch. But it’s also a living material—sensitive to moisture, heat, and wear. By adopting a few simple habits, you can keep your tools resilient, prevent cracking and warping, and keep that organic grain looking oh-so-gorgeous.
1. Keep Things Clean, the Gentle Way
After a cooking session, give your wooden tools a quick rinse under warm water—no soaking! Soaking can cause swelling and weaken the wood over time. Skip the dishwasher altogether—approved by our cabin-loving gang, it’s just too rough. Use mild soap and a soft sponge, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a towel. Air-dry upright, standing or leaning—this helps any lingering moisture evaporate completely.
2. Feed the Wood with Oil
To stay healthy and vibrant, wood needs nourishment. Every few weeks (or as your tools dry out), apply a food-grade oil—like mineral, walnut, or flaxseed oil. Warm a bit and rub it in clockwise, letting the wood drink it in for a few days before wiping off excess. This treatment keeps the grain deep and rich, prevents it from cracking, and gives it a subtle glow that makes your cutting board or spoon feel that much more special.
3. Sand Away Stains and Scratches
Over time, cooking messes or heat can dull the surface or leave stubborn stains. Lightly sand with fine (220-grit) paper, gently removing any rough spots. Wipe clean, then give it another soothing round of oil. Your tool will look—and feel—brand-new again.
4. Watch the Heat
Wood doesn’t like extreme heat. That means no leaving wooden spatulas too close to an open flame or setting cutting boards on a hot stovetop. And yes, lids on hot oil can build up steam that ignites—not ideal when your tools are right there soaking it up.
5. Preserve from Sunlight
Sunlight can fade or dry out wood, dulling its beautiful tone. Store your wooden utensils in a shaded jar or drawer—especially on bright cabin days or sunny RV mornings. That way, they stay vibrant and ready for your next happy-hour dinner experiment.
6. Let Them Rest
Just like you after a long cabin hike, your tools need downtime too. Alternate usage, especially for boards or spoons, to let any absorbed moisture evaporate completely. This little rhythm keeps them from warping over time.
Return to the Joy of Natural Living
Every wooden kitchen essential carries a story: earth-friendly materials, crafted with care, helping us cook, connect, and live more sustainably. With these simple care steps—gentle cleaning, regular oiling, and mindful storage—you’re investing not only in longevity but in beauty, comfort, and a more eco-friendly kitchen.
If you're ready for more easy, joyful steps toward sustainable living—whether in your décor, your kitchen, or your everyday routines—hop back to our Tips & Ideas blog. We love helping people who treasure the outdoors, RV life, cabin comforts… and those Friday-evening product discoveries with the gang. Come join us and let’s keep making simple, meaningful changes—one wooden spoon at a time.
Stay cozy. Stay responsible. Stay wooden.