Chopsticks give us a unique eating experience. To keep it clean and safe to use, let me show you how to clean wooden chopsticks.
Wooden chopsticks are a pair of long sticks made of wood that is used to pick up food from bowls and plates. The ends are sometimes tapered on wooden chopsticks and often lacquered. They are good for holding onto slippery food.
Wooden chopsticks have been used in China for thousands of years.
Historically, chopsticks were made from wood or bamboo. Today, they are made from many materials including wood, metal, and plastic. You can choose different color chopsticks if you wish to be artistic.
When wooden chopsticks are used for a long time, they can get dirty. This happens when they are used without being properly washed or put into direct contact with unclean surfaces. In those cases, more bacteria and infectious agents will accumulate over time.
When you use these chopsticks on food, the harmful substances can transmit to the food and then to your body if ingested. This is why it’s important not only to use clean chopsticks but also to regularly clean.
Learn how you can clean your wooden chopsticks the right way!
Contents
Why do people love to use wooden sticks?
1. They are eco-friendly
Wooden sticks are a great alternative to plastic sticks. The use of wooden sticks leads to less ecological damage. Wood can also be reused again and again. It is also a material that biodegrades when you’re finished with it which means your impact on the environment is minimal.
2. It is a unique experience
Eating with wooden chopsticks is a very interesting experience. You have to hold the chopsticks differently, and sometimes the food is harder to grab. It feels like an experience that combines Asian tradition with modernity and innovation in the way we eat.
3. It makes you eat less
Eating food with wooden chopsticks helps you eat less because of the “more chewing” effect. You feel like it takes longer to eat a small serving so you take fewer bites overall.
4. They are more affordable durable
Wooden chopsticks are great because they are cheap and durable.
They are an affordable solution to constructing utensils that look elegant, making them a great choice for all kinds of restaurants. They are also durable so you can use them for a long time.
Why you should clean wooden chopsticks?
Many people eat using chopsticks every time. Therefore, the cleanliness of chopsticks is something that needs to be maintained so that you avoid various diseases.
Dirty chopsticks can be a breeding ground for germs and sometimes cause discomfort while eating. In addition, chopsticks must also be cleaned so that they can last a long time to use.
How to clean wooden chopsticks
1. Dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing liquid does a great job to clean the wooden chopsticks. this will soften the stain and clean the sticky dirt easily.
Prepare the following materials:
- a container
- warm water
- a few drops of dishwashing liquid
- a sponge
First, add warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the container to create soapy water. Then, dip the wooden chopsticks into the mixture. Wait for 10 minutes. Then, scrub it with a sponge.
For stubborn stains, you can clean them with a nylon scrubber or an old toothbrush. Then, rinse it under running water. Don’t forget to wipe it with a microfiber cloth and store it in dry condition.
2. Castile liquid soap
Cleaning wooden chopsticks with Castile liquid soap is an eco-friendly alternative. Castile soaps are specially formulated to be biodegradable, making them ideal for cleaning kitchen utensils.
Prepare the following materials:
- a container
- warm water
- a few drops of Castile liquid soap
- a sponge
You can make a soapy mixture for the cleaning by adding a few drops of Castile liquid soap to warm water in a container. Then, soak the wooden chopsticks in the warm soapy water for 10 minutes.
After that, scrub off any stains with a sponge. If there are stubborn stains that need to be removed, try cleaning them with a scrub brush or an old toothbrush.
Then, rinse the wooden chopsticks under running water. Please remember to dry your wooden chopsticks. Take a microfiber cloth and wipe it gently.
3. Baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are fantastic for cleaning just about anything, but did you know they’re also good for cleaning wooden chopsticks? Combining the two is a great approach to getting rid of grease and food buildup.
Prepare the following materials:
- or a container
- warm water
- a tablespoon of baking soda
- a tablespoon of vinegar
Mix warm water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and a tablespoon of vinegar into the bowl or container. Then, dip your chopsticks into the solution for 10 minutes to kill the germs. Then scrub it with a sponge. If any stain is left, you can clean it with a nylon scrubber or an old toothbrush. Then, rinse it under running water.
Make sure you dry your wooden chopsticks before putting them in storage.
Life hacks when cleaning wooden chopsticks.
1. Don’t soak too long
To preserve the wooden chopsticks, you should avoid soaking them for too long. Wood is organic and it can be affected by water.
If they’re soaked for too long, the moisture could seep into the grain of the wood and become trapped there.
Just like a sponge, the moisture trapped in the wood will expand when the chopsticks dry out, causing them to crack and split.
2. Do not use harsh chemicals
Wooden chopsticks are a natural material. This means that some chemicals can be harmful to them, so avoid using too many harsh chemicals when cleaning them.
3. Wash it with your own hand
To keep your wooden chopsticks last longer, it is best to wash them with your own hand. By doing this, you can scrub and wash it gently without harming the wood grain. Never wash it using the dishwasher. The heat will crack and break the wood slowly.
How to store wooden chopsticks
1. Store in a dry condition
It is important to keep your wooden chopsticks in a dry place. Storing chopsticks correctly will help them last longer. Otherwise, the moisture from the air will affect the chopsticks and may cause them to crack or warp.
2. Pack with a box or special wrapping
A lot of times, when we accidentally touch dirty things or our hand is full of sweat and leave some bigger, these chopsticks are easy to dirty.
If you want to keep your wooden chopsticks clean and last longer, always pack them with a special box or special wrapping.
Not only will packing them in a special box make it easier for you to carry, but it will also protect your chopsticks from dirt and germs.
FAQ
Can you wash and reuse wooden chopsticks?
How many times can you use wooden chopsticks?
Can wooden chopsticks go in the dishwasher?
Conclusion
Wooden chopsticks have been developed and used for eating food in oriental countries for quite a long time. Wooden chopsticks are more eco-friendly than plastic or steel chopsticks.
Learn how to clean wooden chopsticks with this simple method. It is quick and easy to do and will help keep your chopsticks in great condition.
- Dishwashing liquid
- Castile liquid soap
- Baking soda and vinegar
