How to Restore Wooden Cooking Utensils
Danica Dela Pena and 6 other contributors
Last updated on May 15, 2026
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Introduction
Go to step 1 ↓If your wooden cooking utensils are worn-down, stained, or fuzzy, use this guide to restore your wooden cooking utensils and extend their lifespan.
Wooden cooking utensils are often used, and they wear down over time with regular use. Small chips and dents can trap bacteria, so sanding down your utensils makes them more hygienic. With repeated washing, the natural oils in the wood get stripped away, leaving the wood looking dry. This makes the utensil likely to split and crack. Oiling the utensils prevents this problem.
(A note about boiling wooden tools: There is conflicting information about whether boiling wooden utensils safely sanitizes them, or actually damages them. Putting wooden utensils in boiling water will strip away the wood's oil. It has a high risk of causing them to warp or crack. For this reason, boiling is not recommended in this guide. Washing your tools with soapy water, sanding them, and oiling them with food-grade mineral oil is the best way to sanitize them and keep them intact.
Before getting started, inspect your wooden cooking utensils to assess how damaged they are. There may be stains, chips, dents, cracks, or worn-down edges. This guide teaches you how to restore wooden utensils with minor signs of wear. It cannot be used to restore a large crack.
What you need
Tools
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Smoothen your worn-down wooden cooking utensils with the sandpaper.
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Wash the wooden cooking utensils with dish soap, then rinse well under warm water.
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Dry your utensils with a kitchen towel.
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Leave your utensils to dry off completely before proceeding to the next step.
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Rub food-grade mineral oil on wooden cooking utensils, using light pressure to help the wood absorb the oil.
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Apply just enough oil so the utensil no longer looks or feels dry.
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If the utensil becomes slippery or glossy, there is too much oil. Wipe off the excess with paper towels.
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Allow the newly oiled utensil to dry completely before use.
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Repeat when necessary to ensure long-lasting wooden utensils.
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Team
CSU Los Angeles, Team S12-G5, Harris Fall 2020 Member of CSU Los Angeles, Team S12-G5, Harris Fall 2020
CSULA-HARRIS-F20S12G5
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