Cleaning Wooden Dishes

I feel like the wooden ware is a little like cast iron cookware -- over time it develops a patina from all the good things that have seen it in use. While I do hand wash them, I don't want to let them soak or use harsh cleaners or scrubbers. Think of how we treat wooden furniture. Oils are appreciated, and so is humidity; dryness is your enemy! (I have seen Japanese wooden items displayed in a case with a glass of water. Kitchen items shouldn't be so sensitive, but consider their needs.) And remember for wooden handles on knives -- no soaking, no dishwasher.

Keep them oiled regularly. Olive oil for olive tree wood, walnut oil for walnut, etc.

Just put a dash of oil on a rag and rub it into your dish evenly.

We hand wash all the wooden dishes and utensils.