HOW WELL DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR WOOD?
Thursday, November 30 2017 Nikhil Agrawal
Wood is a timeless material for the kitchen, both in terms of functionality and aesthetic value. Silicon, steel, plastic all have their own uses and advantages, but wood has a charm that nothing can surpass. Wooden kitchen tools and utensils have been popular ever since the times of Ancient Egypt.
However, for the modern homemaker, it can be quite a challenge keeping wooden utensils clean without going into the routine of taking the whole load and putting it into the dishwasher and let the machine do its job. But no pain, no gain, eh?
Wood isn’t actually that hard to maintain. All you need is a little bit of time, and a great love for the wooden items you possess. Here are a few steps to make sure your rustic favourites last for a long time.
- Don’t put wooden utensils in the dishwasher. Harsh detergent, excessive heat and prolonged exposure to water ruins the wood and makes it crack. Wooden dishes need to be handwashed with warm water and soap only.
- Dry wooden utensils with a soft cotton cloth instead of letting them air dry. Air drying leads to the residual moisture getting absorbed into the wood, thereby leading to swelling and cracking.
- Every once in awhile, rub a little food-grade mineral oil into your wooden products with a clean soft cotton cloth. Being food grade, it does not turn rancid on wood unlike other oils.
- If any strong flavours are stuck to the wood, rub a slice of lemon and let it air dry.
Wood, along with giving a rustic value to your home, is a great way to connect to nature, and hence, it is essential that your wooden items are taken care of. Following these simple steps ensure that your wooden kitchen items will stay solid and maintain their original sheen for a long time.