I wouldn’t be without one of the best dishwashers to help me with my chores. And once a cycle has finished, I enjoy opening it up to see a squeaky clean load full of dishes. However, I’ve learnt from my mistakes and now know that I can’t put everything in my dishwasher to clean.
Although a dishwasher can clean a long list of items, including standard kitchenware like cutlery, crockery and glassware, and as well as items you never knew you could wash in a dishwasher, like hair brushes and vacuum cleaner attachments, there is one type of kitchen item that should never set foot inside a dishwasher.
What you should never clean in a dishwasher
That surprising item is a wooden utensil. So, if you put your trusted wooden spoon or wooden spatula in the dishwasher, it’s likely to come out ruined. The same will happen if you place a wooden chopping board in your appliance, as wood is one of the items you should never put in a dishwasher.
Why is a dishwasher bad for wooden items?
The extreme heat and extended contact with moisture within a dishwasher can damage the wood, causing it to warp, crack, and splinter.
“The general rule is that wooden items should only be washed by hand, but if you’re unsure, you can check for a dishwasher safe symbol on your wooden kitchen items before placing them in your machine,” according to Finnish.
The problem intensifies if you continue to use the damaged wooden utensil or chopping board. Once the wood has cracked or warped, food debris can get stuck inside the cracks and cause a build-up of bacteria, which can lead to food-borne illnesses.
How to clean wooden kitchen items
Cleaning wooden kitchen items by hand can be tricky, as you’ll want to ensure they are hygienically clean. And as an added issue, since wood is porous, it can absorb and retain moisture, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
Proper cleaning methods can help maintain the wood’s condition, preventing cracking, warping, and splitting — all problems which are more likely to occur if your wooden kitchen items are cleaned in a machine rather than by hand.
However, by following a few simple steps, you can help keep your wooden utensils clean and hygienic without needing a dishwasher.
How to clean a wooden cutting board
1. Wipe down your wooden kitchen items immediately after use to remove any food particles. Caraway advises against soaking your wooden items, as prolonged immersion in water can cause the wood to swell and crack.
2. Apply a small amount of dish soap to a soft sponge or brush and gently scrub the utensil’s surface to clean it without scratching. When cleaning a cutting board, Finnish recommends cleaning it with a water and bleach solution, comprising 1-2 teaspoons of bleach per liter of water.
3. Wash the wooden item by hand in hot, soapy water. Here, Caraway advises to make sure any soap suds are rinsed off, “as it can affect the taste of your food and the integrity of the utensil.”
4. Pat the item dry with a dish towel and then leave your items to air dry. A drying rack is the perfect place for drying, as air can circulate around the item. However, keep your wooden items out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, as this can warp or crack the wood.
5. Consider coating your wooden board with a food-safe oil to nourish and protect the wood. Apply it with a soft cloth and allow it to dry for 24 hours before use. You could try Pure Original Ingredients Mineral Oil (8fl oz), which is $8.99 at Amazon.
For tough stains
For tough stains and odors, Caraway suggests sprinkling coarse salt over the wood’s surface and then rubbing half a lemon into the surface. “The lemon’s acidity and the salt’s abrasiveness work together to remove stains and neutralize odors without harming the wood,” according to Caraway. To finish, rinse and dry thoroughly.
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