The Best Way to Clean Wooden Spoons/Spatulas - How to Clean Greasy Wooden Spatulas Without Chemicals

Wooden spatulas and spoons are a staple in most Indian kitchens. They are sturdy, gentle on cookware, and feel familiar in the hand. Over time, they become the most reached for tools while cooking everyday meals. But despite regular washing, wooden utensils can quietly hold on to oil, stains, and food residue that soap and water alone cannot remove.

If a wooden spatula has started to look darker, feel greasy, or carry lingering smells, it does not necessarily mean it needs to be replaced. Often, it just needs a proper deep clean.

This simple kitchen hack using boiling water helps remove hidden oils and buildup from wooden spatulas and spoons, leaving them fresh, clean, and safe to use again.

Why Wooden Utensils Need Deep Cleaning

Wood is naturally porous. Unlike steel or silicone, wooden utensils absorb oil, spices, and moisture every time they are used. Over weeks of cooking, this leads to trapped grease, stains, and bacteria that normal dishwashing cannot fully reach.

Even when a spatula looks clean on the surface, it may still be holding on to residue inside the wood. This can affect hygiene, cause unwanted smells, and shorten the life of your wooden kitchen tools.

That is why learning how to clean wooden spatulas properly is important for maintaining a healthy kitchen.

The Boiling Water Hack for Cleaning Wooden Spatulas

This traditional and effective method uses nothing more than water and heat to draw out the trapped oils and food particles from wooden utensils.

What You Need

• Wooden spatulas or wooden spoons

• A large pot

• Water

Step by Step Method

1. Take all the wooden spatulas or spoons that are used regularly.

2. Fill a pot with enough water to fully submerge the utensils.

3. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

4. Carefully place the wooden spatulas into the boiling water.

5. Let them boil for five to ten minutes.

6. Watch as oils, stains, and residue rise to the surface of the water.

7. Remove the utensils carefully and place them on a clean towel.

8. Allow them to dry completely before storing or using again.

This method works because heat opens up the pores of the wood and releases the absorbed oils and impurities.

How Often Should You Clean Wooden Spatulas This Way

For best results, deep clean wooden spatulas using this boiling water method every few weeks. If they are used daily for cooking with oil and spices, once every two to three weeks is ideal.

Regular deep cleaning helps extend the life of wooden utensils and keeps them safe for everyday cooking.

Benefits of Boiling/Deep Cleaning Wooden Utensils

• Removes trapped oil and grease

• Helps eliminate lingering food smells

• Improves kitchen hygiene

• Restores the natural feel of the wood

• Increases the lifespan of wooden spatulas and spoons

This kitchen cleaning hack is especially useful for home cooks who prefer natural materials and want to avoid frequently replacing utensils.

A Small Habit That Makes a Big Difference

Wooden utensils are meant to last. With a little care and the right cleaning method, they can stay fresh and functional for years. This boiling water hack is quick, effective, and easy to fit into a regular kitchen routine.

If cooking is a daily ritual, maintaining the tools used every day matters just as much as the ingredients that go into the food.

For more practical kitchen hacks and everyday cooking tips, follow CURRYiT and check out the quick video version of this hack on Instagram and YouTube.

Sometimes, the simplest methods are the ones that work best.