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Wooden chopsticks | Source: unsplash.com/@juanencalada
How to Clean Wooden Chopsticks and Maintain Their Durability
Feb 24, 202408:30 A.M.
Eating with wooden chopsticks can be a culturally stimulating way to spice up your meal times. However, sometimes, many of us find ourselves at a loss regarding how to go about cleaning them. If this is you, read our guide on how to clean wooden chopsticks and maintain their durability.
Wooden chopsticks come in various forms. Three of the most common include disposable chopsticks, reusable wood, and reusable bamboo.
The first usually consists of low-grade wood and bamboo which is lighter. These are intended for single use and are frequently found in restaurants and homes, so chances are if you are an avid chopsticks user, you may have this kind lying in your kitchen drawer.
The second is made from many different types of wood, such as sandalwood, cedar, cherry, pine, etc. The last type—reusable bamboo— though technically not considered a wood as much as it is considered grass, quite often lands in the same category as other wooden chopsticks as it is mixed with varieties of wood.
A pair of wooden chopsticks | Source: Shutterstock
A pair of wooden chopsticks | Source: Shutterstock
Wooden Chopsticks and Cultural Differences
Typically associated with Asian countries, wooden chopsticks etiquette varies according to different cultures. In Taiwan, it is considered poor table manners to nibble on your chopsticks while eating, allow them to linger in your mouth after consuming food, place them on the table, or use them for soup bowls.
Vietnamese chopsticks faux pas include putting your chopsticks in your mouth while you are still deciding on food to dish; configuring the chopsticks in the shape of a V after eating, and lifting food directly from the table.
With regards to chopstick don’ts in North and South Korea, it is unacceptable to pick up your chopsticks before your elders at the table; you may not use the chopsticks to eat rice, as rice has to be eaten with a spoon, and under no circumstances should you bring your bowl of food closer to your mouth.
A pair of chopsticks in use | Source: Shutterstock
Chinese chopsticks etiquette stipulates that it is inappropriate to latch onto your food by spearing it with the chopsticks; you may not use them to dig around in your food to look for a particular item; you cannot tap them against your bowl of food and kids have to ensure they hold their chopsticks in the right position.
Japan rules highlight that you are not allowed to cross your chopsticks while they are set on the table; there is no sharing of food with others from chopstick to chopstick, and you cannot vertically plant your chopsticks in your rice. These cultures also vary when it comes to chopsticks’ size and look.
Different positions to use when holding chopsticks | Source: Shutterstock
Different kinds of chopsticks | Source: Shutterstock
Wooden Chopsticks Care
When it comes to caring for your chopsticks, a rule of thumb is to avoid excessive water-soaking. Being that most chopsticks are made up of wood and bamboo, extended exposure to moisture will cause warps and swells. This may then in turn start to damage and chip away at the decorative features of the chopsticks.
Cleaning your wooden chopsticks is imperative for many reasons, with some of the most important being their susceptibility to harboring bacteria, which in turn may cause health issues due to the lack of sanitization. Below, we dive into the most effective ways to clean wooden chopsticks in a way that will also maintain their durability over time, for extended use.
Dirty dishes and chopsticks in a kitchen sink | Source: Shutterstock
How to Clean Wooden Chopsticks Effectively
Hand Washing
Your wooden chopsticks should be washed by hand while still ensuring that if you need to soak them, you do so for as little time as possible. To hand-wash your chopsticks, follow these steps:
1. Use a finger or another utensil to scrape off any remaining food on your chopsticks.
2. Use soap and water to wash the chopsticks.
3. Rinse them with hot water then wipe them with a clean kitchen towel.
4. As another step for extra sanitation, mix water and vinegar and soak your chopsticks for a short time in this solution. Alternatively, you can simply rub them down with rubbing alcohol.
5. Allow them to air dry before placing them in a dark, clean, and dry place, being careful not to expose them to a lot of sunlight.
6. Avoid using abrasive solutions, such as bleach, because they can damage the wood.
Unwashed dishes and chopsticks | Source: Shutterstock
Dishwasher
In some cases, chopsticks can be cleaned in your dishwasher. Typically, only specially-made bamboo and wooden chopsticks can withstand the powerful detergent, heat, and washing pressure caused by a dishwasher.
A fully loaded dishwasher | Source: Shutterstock
Scrubbing and Polishing
When stains on your wooden chopsticks are particularly difficult to remove and no other method has worked, consider taking the time to individually scrub your chopsticks with equipment like an old toothbrush, a nylon scrubber, or any other form of scrub brush. Baking soda works wonders for removing such stubborn stains.
An assortment of nylon scrubs | Source: Shutterstock
Tips for Maintaining Your Chopsticks' Durability
To ensure that your chopsticks refrain from acquiring splinters over time, rub them with oil. The type of oil has to be one that is fit for consumption.
Another way to avoid wear and tear with regards to how to clean wooden chopsticks is to sand them down and refinish them.
Chopsticks in cooking oil | Source: Shutterstock
Now that we have touched on the importance of cleaning and maintaining your chopsticks and explored various ways to clean wooden chopsticks, it is important to note that these methods of cleaning do not negate the necessity of changing your chopsticks regularly.
Though chopsticks can be cleaned in different ways, they still only last for a certain amount of time, which is dependent on the type you purchase. Ideally, chopsticks should be replaced every six months to a year given their frequent use as kitchen utensils in the home.
If this article gave you valuable insights on how to clean wooden chopsticks, read another kitchen utensil-cleaning article about how to clean a nut milk bag.
