Kitchen enthusiasts across the UK have been left stunned after a simple cleaning hack exposed the surprising amount of hidden dirt and grime lurking within seemingly clean wooden spoons.
The Viral Hack That Revealed the Hidden Grime
The revelation came from TikTok cleaning expert @coastalflip, who regularly shares her top tips. In a now-viral video, she demonstrated her method for a deep clean by boiling her wooden utensils in a pan of water. After letting them simmer for several minutes, she retrieved the spoons to find the water had turned a murky reddish-brown colour, stained by food particles and oils that had been absorbed into the timber over time.
The TikTok user captioned her video: "Wooden spoons hold more than flavour," highlighting how the porous nature of wood traps odours, dirt, and residue from food. The visual proof left viewers in disbelief, with one commenting, "omg why did i never know thisss."
Why Your Wooden Spoons Need Extra Care
Wooden spoons remain a kitchen staple for good reason. They are inexpensive, sturdy, gentle on cookware, and don't conduct heat like metal utensils. However, their very virtue—being porous—is also their downfall. Unlike plastic or metal, wood naturally soaks up flavours, oils, and smells from ingredients, which can lead to a blend of conflicting tastes in your cooking if not addressed.
Michelle Southan, food director at Taste.com.au, advocates for a similar deep-cleaning routine. She recommends placing wooden spoons in a saucepan of boiling water on the hob, switching off the heat, and leaving them submerged for around 20 minutes. This process draws out lingering oils and aromas trapped within the wood. She suggests repeating this roughly once a month to maintain hygiene and flavour integrity.
How to Maintain Your Spoons After Cleaning
After the deep clean, proper drying and conditioning are crucial. Leaving wooden spoons damp can cause the timber to expand and potentially crack. Once completely dry, many experts recommend treating them with a food-safe oil to maintain the wood and prevent splitting.
The TikTok creator used coconut oil, sparking a debate in the comments about the best product. Other suggestions from viewers included mineral oil and beeswax as effective alternatives for sealing and protecting the wood. Discolouration or the appearance of splits are clear signs that it might be time to replace your wooden utensils altogether.
This simple yet effective hack serves as a timely reminder that even the most trusted kitchen tools require a little extra attention to stay clean, safe, and ready for years of reliable service.
