I have a weakness for old wooden spoons, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils, especially when I find them while thrifting. But before any secondhand wooden utensil makes its way into my kitchen, I like to give it a thorough cleaning. Today I’m sharing my method for cleaning wooden kitchen utensils, including the extra step I sometimes use for suitable thrifted pieces and how I condition the wood afterward to keep it looking beautiful.

If you’ve ever picked up a gorgeous old wooden spoon at a thrift store and wondered, “But where has this been?” this post is for you.

And just wait until you see what can be left behind in the water!

Why I’m Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils From the Thrift Store

I love the character of old wooden kitchen utensils.

New wooden spoons are beautiful too, but there’s something about the patina and imperfections of an older piece that makes a kitchen feel collected rather than decorated all at once.

I especially love them displayed together in a vintage crock or vessel on the kitchen counter.

The problem with thrifted utensils is that you don’t know their history. Before deciding whether I’ll actually use a secondhand wooden utensil for food preparation, I inspect it carefully and give it a thorough cleaning.

Some thrifted wooden utensils I buy purely for decorating. Others, if they’re in excellent condition and made from solid wood, I’ll clean and use in our kitchen.

Inspect Your Wooden Utensils First

Before cleaning anything, take a good look at the piece.

I skip wooden utensils that have:

• Deep cracks
• Splintering
• Mold or mildew
• Unusual odors that won’t wash away
• Loose or glued components
• Peeling paint or finishes
• Significant damage

Wood is porous, so if something looks questionable, I don’t try to save it for food use.

There are plenty of beautiful wooden utensils waiting to be discovered at thrift stores. It’s not worth taking a chance on one that’s badly damaged.

Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils Starts With Soap and Water

The first thing I do is wash the utensils with warm water and dish soap.

I use a sponge or dish brush to clean the entire surface, paying extra attention to any grooves or carved areas where food and grime can collect.

Then I rinse them thoroughly.

I don’t leave wooden utensils soaking in a sink full of water. Prolonged exposure to water can cause wood to swell, warp, split, or crack.

For everyday cleaning, this simple wash-and-dry method is generally all that’s needed.

How I Deep Clean Thrifted Wooden Utensils

Here’s the part that gets everyone’s attention.

For certain thrifted pieces, I sometimes give them a brief boil.

This is not something I recommend doing regularly, and it isn’t appropriate for every wooden utensil. Boiling exposes wood to a lot of heat and moisture and can potentially cause warping, swelling, or cracking.

I reserve this step for sturdy, solid, unfinished wooden utensils that aren’t painted, laminated, glued, cracked, or otherwise delicate.

I bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully place the utensils into the water.

Then I let them boil for approximately five minutes.

That’s it.

I don’t leave them soaking in the water afterward.

The Proof Is in the Pot

This is simultaneously the most satisfying and disgusting part.

After about five minutes, I remove the wooden utensils with tongs.

And then I look at the water.

Let’s just say the first time I did this, I was pretty surprised.

The water can become cloudy or discolored, which certainly makes for a dramatic before-and-after. Keep in mind, though, that discolored water isn’t necessarily all “dirt.” Heat and water can also draw tannins, oils, finishes, or other compounds from the wood itself.

Either way, seeing that water reinforces why I like thoroughly cleaning secondhand kitchen pieces before bringing them into our home.

Drying Wooden Kitchen Utensils Properly

Drying is an important part of cleaning wooden kitchen utensils.

After removing the utensils from the water with tongs, I wipe away excess moisture with a clean towel.

Then I allow them to air-dry completely.

I don’t immediately oil damp wooden utensils. I want the wood completely dry before moving on to the conditioning step.

Depending on the thickness of the utensil and how much moisture it absorbed, I may simply leave it out until the following day.

Conditioning Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Once everything is completely dry, it’s time for my favorite part.

Oil.

Conditioning brings dry, tired-looking wood back to life. It’s especially satisfying with old thrifted utensils because you can watch the grain and color of the wood deepen almost immediately.

I use food-grade mineral oil intended for wooden kitchenware.

I apply a small amount to a clean cloth and rub it over the entire utensil, working it into the wood.

Let the oil absorb according to the product directions, then wipe away any excess.

This simple step can make an old wooden spoon look completely different.

I’ll link the food-grade mineral oil I use so you can easily find it.

What Oil Should You Use on Wooden Utensils?

For wooden kitchen utensils that will come into contact with food, I prefer food-grade mineral oil or a conditioner specifically formulated for wooden cutting boards and utensils.

I avoid using regular cooking oils such as olive or vegetable oil for conditioning because they can oxidize and become rancid over time.

Always check the directions on whichever wood conditioner you choose and make sure it’s intended for food-contact surfaces.

How I Clean Wooden Utensils Every Day

Once my thrifted pieces have had their initial cleaning, I don’t boil them every time I use them.

My everyday routine is much simpler.

I wash them promptly with dish soap and warm water, rinse them, towel them off, and allow them to finish air-drying.

I also avoid putting my wooden utensils in the dishwasher. The combination of prolonged water exposure, high temperatures, and dishwasher detergent can be extremely hard on wood.

When they begin looking dry or faded, I condition them again with food-grade mineral oil.

Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils Without Ruining Them

Wooden utensils can last for years when they’re cared for properly.

The biggest things I try to avoid are prolonged soaking, dishwashers, and allowing wet wooden utensils to sit where they can’t dry properly.

I also inspect my utensils periodically.

If one develops deep cracks, starts splintering, or becomes difficult to clean thoroughly, I retire it from food preparation.

It may still end up in a crock as décor, though!

Why I Still Love Thrifted Wooden Utensils

After seeing the water from my deep-cleaning process, you might be wondering why I continue buying wooden kitchen utensils at thrift stores.

Because they’re beautiful!

I love finding pieces with unusual shapes, gorgeous wood grain, hand-carved details, and years of patina. Grouped together in a crock, they add so much warmth and texture to a kitchen.

They’re also inexpensive, useful, and a great way to bring something old into a space filled with newer pieces.

To me, those little imperfections are what make a home interesting.

Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils: Final Thoughts

Cleaning wooden kitchen utensils doesn’t have to be complicated. For everyday care, warm water, dish soap, thorough rinsing, and proper drying are usually all that’s necessary.

When I bring home suitable solid, unfinished wooden utensils from the thrift store, I sometimes take the additional step of briefly boiling them for about five minutes. Because boiling can be hard on wood, I don’t use this method for everyday cleaning or on painted, glued, laminated, cracked, delicate, or sentimental pieces.

Once they’re completely dry, a little food-grade mineral oil brings the wood back to life.

And if you’ve seen the pot of water at the end of my process, you know why I say:

The proof is in the pot.

If you love thrifting as much as I do, be sure to save this post to Pinterest so you’ll have it handy the next time you bring home a beautiful old wooden kitchen utensil.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Can you boil wooden kitchen utensils?

I occasionally briefly boil sturdy, solid, unfinished thrifted wooden utensils, but boiling can swell, warp, or crack wood. I don’t use this as an everyday cleaning method, and I avoid boiling anything painted, glued, laminated, cracked, delicate, or sentimental.

How long do I boil thrifted wooden utensils?

For the suitable pieces I choose to deep clean this way, I boil them for approximately five minutes and then remove them with tongs. I don’t leave them soaking afterward.

Can wooden utensils go in the dishwasher?

I prefer to hand-wash wooden utensils. The extended heat, moisture, and detergent of a dishwasher can be hard on wood and may eventually cause drying, warping, or cracking.

What should I use to oil wooden utensils?

I use food-grade mineral oil or a wood conditioner specifically labeled for food-contact surfaces.

Looking for more simple DIY and thrifted home ideas? Be sure to check out my favorite thrifted home projects and easy DIY projects for more ways to create a collected, designer look for less. And if you love transforming secondhand finds, my From Trash To Treasure e-book is on sale right now for just $9.99! It’s packed with 53 pages of my favorite thrifting tips, ideas, and inspiration for seeing the potential in pieces others might pass by. You can grab your copy here.

And for even more thrifting, decorating, and approachable DIY inspiration, follow along with me on Instagram at @mysweetsavannah. I’m always sharing my latest thrift finds, projects, and decorating ideas there. And don’t forget to pin your favorite images from this post to Pinterest so you can easily find this wooden utensil cleaning method later!