TL;DR
Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab reviews analyst Noah Pinsonnault recommends washing wooden spoons by hand rather than putting them through repeated dishwasher cycles. He says prolonged water exposure, heat and detergent can dry out or damage wood; check the manufacturer’s label because some utensils are marked dishwasher-safe.
Wooden spoons are best washed by hand, according to Noah Pinsonnault, a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab. He says repeated dishwasher cycles expose wood to moisture, high temperatures and detergent that can contribute to drying, warping, cracking or splitting over time, though utensils labeled dishwasher-safe should be cleaned according to their manufacturer’s instructions.
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Pinsonnault’s recommendation is to wash wooden spoons and utensils with warm water and a little dish soap, using a soft sponge rather than an abrasive scrubber. He advises against leaving them submerged in the sink, since prolonged contact with water is one of the conditions that can damage wood. After washing, dry the utensil promptly with a towel instead of leaving it wet.
The report says dishwasher damage generally builds gradually, rather than occurring after one cycle. Using the dishwasher once in a pinch is unlikely to ruin a spoon immediately, Pinsonnault says, but repeated cycles should be avoided when the item is not identified as dishwasher-safe. The same hand-washing advice applies to other wooden kitchen tools, including spatulas, salad servers and cutting boards.
Consumers should check the label or product packaging before deciding how to clean a particular utensil. Some wooden items are marked dishwasher-safe; in those cases, the manufacturer’s care directions apply. If the instructions are missing or unclear, the report recommends hand-washing rather than assuming the item can withstand a dishwasher cycle.
How Dishwasher Wear Affects Wooden Utensils
The advice matters because damage to a wooden spoon may affect more than its appearance. Pinsonnault says cracks can trap food residue and make utensils harder to clean thoroughly. That gives users a practical reason to check wood tools for splits and follow care instructions, especially for items used regularly in food preparation.
Hand-washing also offers a low-effort way to reduce exposure to the conditions the report identifies as harmful. The recommendation does not establish that every wooden utensil will be damaged by every dishwasher, and it does not override a product’s specific care label. Rather, it gives a cautious default for unlabeled or uncertain items.
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The Care Advice Behind the Report
The report focuses on routine care for wooden kitchen tools. Unlike a dishwasher-safe designation, the general recommendation to hand-wash is presented as advice from Good Housekeeping Institute analyst Noah Pinsonnault, not as a universal rule covering every product or wood finish. The source does not identify particular brands, wood species or dishwasher settings that change the outcome.
Pinsonnault identifies three sources of stress in a dishwasher cycle: extended water exposure, high temperatures and dishwasher detergent. According to the report, detergent can gradually strip protective finishes while the heat and moisture can dry the wood. The resulting damage may include warping, cracks or splits. The report recommends a short wash and prompt drying as an alternative.
What Depends on the Utensil
The supplied report does not specify how quickly damage develops, how many dishwasher cycles might cause it, or whether particular wood types, finishes or dishwasher settings change the risk. It also does not name specific products tested. The guidance is therefore general care advice, not a product-by-product assessment.
Whether an individual spoon can go in the dishwasher depends on its manufacturer’s instructions. The report says some wooden utensils are labeled dishwasher-safe but does not list them or explain what conditions their labels require. When the label is absent or unclear, Pinsonnault recommends hand-washing.
Check Labels Before the Next Wash
Before putting a wooden spoon or another wooden kitchen tool in the dishwasher, check its packaging or care label and follow the manufacturer’s directions. If no guidance is available, the report’s recommended routine is to wash it by hand with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft sponge, avoid soaking it, and towel-dry it promptly.
Users can also inspect utensils over time for cracks, splits or warping. The source offers no formal testing schedule or further product guidance, so the next step for a specific item is to consult its maker if its care instructions remain uncertain.
Key Questions
Can I put a wooden spoon in the dishwasher once?
Pinsonnault says a single cycle is unlikely to ruin a wooden spoon immediately, but damage can build with repeated exposure. Check the product label first; if it is not marked dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is the recommended option.
Why can a dishwasher damage wooden utensils?
The report identifies prolonged moisture, high temperatures and dishwasher detergent as potential sources of wear. Over time, these conditions can dry out wood or contribute to warping, cracking and splitting.
What is the recommended way to wash a wooden spoon?
Use warm water and a little dish soap with a soft sponge. Do not leave the spoon soaking; wipe it dry with a towel promptly after washing.
Are cracks in a wooden spoon only cosmetic?
No. Pinsonnault says cracks can trap food residue and make the utensil more difficult to clean thoroughly. The report does not give a specific threshold for when a cracked spoon should be discarded.
What if my wooden utensil has no care label?
If you cannot confirm that it is dishwasher-safe, the report recommends washing it by hand. Contacting the manufacturer may help clarify care instructions for a particular product.
Source: rss
