Wooden chopsticks are used by people in restaurants and homes regularly, mostly in Asian foods including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and many more.
This Is How You Wash Your Wooden Chopsticks:
Yes you can but it is important to note to hand wash them (not put in the dishwasher) straight away after usage. This will prevent residue sticking to the surface and also any unwanted smells.
In this article we are going to discuss how exactly you should wash your wooden chopsticks, how many times you can re use them, waterproofing discussion, and dishwashing.
Thanks for your time and reading I am sure this information will answer all of your questions.
How Can You Wash Wooden Chopsticks?
You should wash wooden chopsticks by hand as soon as you’ve finished using them.
This will stop any residue from food causing lasting stains on the chopsticks and also prevent the smell of food from lingering.
Wood is a material that easily absorbs liquids, so a quick wash after being used and then a thorough drying off will preserve them perfectly.
Washing the chopsticks is easy enough as well.
You simply need to soak them in warm soapy water for 30 seconds, wiping them over with a cloth or sponge if there is any residue that refuses to shift. Then, dry them off with a towel and put them away, ensuring that there is no sogginess.
If you notice any stains or colouring that you can’t get off, use a scrubbing brush with gentle bristles to work away at the chopsticks.
Wooden chopsticks aren’t very strong, so you shouldn’t use unnecessary pressure to clean them, but the bristles will do all the work of removing whatever a sponge or cloth cannot.
Store you chopsticks in a cool, dry place after cleaning them, such as a cutlery drawer, because this will keep the material and any colour or pattern looking great.
Can Wooden Chopsticks Be Washed And Reused?
Wooden chopsticks should always be reused if you’ve bought them yourself.
The wooden chopsticks provided at restaurants and with takeaway food are more often than not just meant for a single use, but the wooden chopsticks that you can buy for a bit more money are made to last.
If you are careful when you use them and make sure to clean and store them properly, your personal wooden chopsticks will be fine to reuse again and again.
One reason that people may feel uncomfortable reusing wooden chopsticks is that bacteria from your mouth can get into the grain of the wood when you eat with them. Of course, you can sanitize your chopsticks, but bacteria from within the grain cannot be removed.
If this is a big problem for you, you would be better off buying metal chopsticks, but if you are the only one using your personal wooden chopsticks then there is no problem.
Washing your chopsticks is enough to keep them clean and presentable.
If somebody else uses your chopsticks, you should throw them away and get some new ones because that would be unhygienic. Otherwise, you can keep reusing them, so long as you wash them quickly and effectively after each meal.
How Many Times Can You Reuse Wooden Chopsticks?
Though they are made of a delicate material, wooden chopsticks are relatively hardy and can last for years.
However, it is recommended that you replace them approximately every 3-6 months because regular use can wear away at the material and cause it to fray or fade.
Wooden chopsticks are super affordable, so you don’t need to worry about having to break the bank 2-4 times a year to be able to use them.
If you don’t use your wooden chopsticks very often, they could easily last for up to 3 years. But you don’t want to leave them to gather dust because that wouldn’t encourage you to eat with them.
You’ll be able to tell when you need to change your wooden chopsticks by how they look and how they feel, so don’t fret too much about getting rid of them once you hit a certain point, especially if the chopsticks still work perfectly well.
If your chopsticks become stained and you can’t get rid of the discoloration, you might want to replace them for a cleaner looking pair.
This shouldn’t happen if you wash them immediately after using them, but some foods with rich, bright sauces can start to discolour your chopsticks straight away.
If any food smells linger and you find them unpleasant, that is another sign that you might want to replace your wooden chopsticks for a new pair.
Are Wooden Chopsticks Waterproof?
Wooden chopsticks are typically painted or lacquered to make them waterproof, though you should never leave them soaking in water for longer than approximately 30 seconds because too much liquid can start to soften them.
The more you use your chopsticks, the more likely the paintwork or lacquering is to wear away. The more that they wear away, the less protection your chopsticks have, especially when they need to be washed in warm soapy water.
If you thoroughly dry your chopsticks after washing them, they should last for a fairly long time. Wood is a sturdy material, but chopsticks are very thin and finely shaped, so you don’t want to wear away at them too much in case they soften or snap.
Only use water on your chopsticks when you need to, which will keep them as waterproof as they need to be.
Can You Wash Wooden Chopsticks In The Dishwasher?
Wooden chopsticks should not be put in the dishwasher because the detergents and water involved will wear away at the material.
Delicate materials should never be put in the dishwasher if you want them to stay in the best condition possible, so if you want a second pair of chopsticks that you can wash that way, buy some metal chopsticks.
Stick to washing your wooden chopsticks by hand so that their shape, material, and finish all stay looking as good as new.
Some wooden chopsticks might be marked as “dishwasher safe”, so you could chance putting them in the dishwasher.
However, it is always safer to wash wooden chopsticks by hand because too many turns in a dishwasher could cause some damage, even if it is slow to appear. Washing them by hand doesn’t take a lot of time at all and you’ll know that your chopsticks are being handled gently.
If you put your chopsticks in the dishwasher, you risk them soaking in excess water while they are waiting to be dried, even if the power of the dishwasher doesn’t damage them.
Wooden chopsticks need to be dried straight away for their own benefit, but it is easy to forget about them in the dishwasher. Quick yet effective washing and drying are the best ways to protect your chopsticks and keep them in great condition to be used again and again.