Wooden spoon social media trend could 'make you ill' experts warn

Wooden spoon social media trend could 'make you ill' experts warn Experts warn the trend may damage utensils and raise illness risks A viral kitchen 'deep clean' trend is getting millions of views online, but experts say it could be setting you up for an illness. The trend shows people dunking wooden spoons and chopping boards in boiling water to 'deep clean' them. People claim that doing so helps flush out 'years' of grime and use, as the water typically turns brown after soaking the kitchen items long enough. However, consumer champions at Which? warn that the trend is more about show than safety and could damage your wooden utensils and chopping boards, making them unsafe to use. The leftover brown coloured water isn’t proof that your utensils were filthy to begin with, specialists say, because heat can draw out natural pigments and tannins from the wood. The team at Which? warn that extreme heat and prolonged soaking can ruin the wood by warping and cracking it, becoming the ideal hiding places for germs and pathogens to breed. It can also strip out the protective oils that help keep the surface in good condition. Which? claims that boiling water (and even dishwashers) can break down wood fibres, leaving items dried out, warped or split. Once that happens, the rough gaps can trap moisture and leftover food bits that a quick wash won’t easily shift. Worn-out or frayed wood can break off small splinters that can get into your food, creating a physical hazard during eating. Wood can be good at dealing with bacteria on the surface, but deep splits are a different story. Those grooves can draw in raw meat juices and moisture, creating a cosy spot for bacteria and mould to multiply, potentially increasing your risk of falling ill because deep fissures trap moisture, food particles, and harmful bacteria that standard washing cannot reach. The safer route, the advice goes, is to use a gentle handwash with soap and water. The key is not to leave wooden utensils sitting in the sink or soaking for ages, as water can cause long-term damage. After washing, dry them straight away with a clean towel rather than letting them air-dry. For boards, standing them upright (or hanging utensils) helps air circulate so they dry fully. If a spoon or board has stubborn odours or stains, a simple scrub with salt and half a lemon is recommended as a milder fix. To keep wood from drying out over time, a small amount of food-safe mineral oil can help maintain the finish and extend its life. Can utensils be 'saved' after this trend? If you have already done this life hack, and are now concerned you've created a new problem, it might be possible to 'reverse' the damage. However, it is important to make sure utensils and chopping boards are completely dry first. Because boiling causes wood to absorb a massive amount of moisture, oiling it while damp will trap water inside. This can rot the wood from the inside out or cause it to turn mouldy. Once fully dry, check for damage like deep cracks and severe warping - no amount of re-oiling can repair this. If the surface seems free of major damage, rub a generous layer of food-grade mineral oil or beeswax cream all over the wood. Let it sit for a few hours, then buff off the excess with a clean cloth. You can buy food-safe mineral oil (sometimes labelled as Chopping Board Oil or Butcher Block Oil) easily across the UK, both online and on the high street.