How to take care of bamboo utensils
In this guide we are going to explain how to care for your bamboo cutlery, how long bamboo cutlery lasts and how to wash bamboo cutlery so that you can keep dodging single-use plastic cutlery for longer! We are also going to share a Jungle Culture trick that will make sure your cutlery will last for much longer!
So.. Firstly, let’s go through some of the common problems that people have with reusable bamboo cutlery sets.
- Their set becomes mouldy
- The ends of the forks and knives fray
- The cutlery becomes slightly discoloured
These are the top 3 problems that our customers report to us and I am going to share with you how to avoid these issues and keep your cutlery set working for you for longer. After all, it’s not sustainable if you need new ones every few months!
The enemy of your bamboo cutlery set is water. Left long enough in water, bamboo, much like other natural materials will start to attract mould or the water will start to erode the integrity of the bamboo!
How to clean bamboo cutlery
- Dry it Immediately!
To prevent mould – After washing your reusable bamboo cutlery, dry it immediately. Do not leave it to soak in the kitchen sink or leave it damp on the drying rack. The longer your bamboo cutlery is in contact with water, the more vulnerable it becomes.
- Do not put your cutlery in the dishwasher!
For the exact same reason as number 1. Bamboo cutlery simply shouldn’t be placed in the dishwasher. It is not dishwasher safe.
- Clean your bamboo cutlery shortly after using it.
Sometimes I like to use my cutlery set to eat curry or soup and that’s fine! But clean it after.
If you leave your cutlery set rotting away in the corner of your kitchen, covered in nasties then chances are it will become slightly discoloured, and nobody wants that!
Instead, do your best to wash it and dry it straight away after eating and your bamboo utensils will last much longer.
But what if I am camping?.... Don’t worry. Bamboo is perfect for camping cutlery and all you need to do is wipe your eco-friendly utensils down with a tissue or cloth and wash them more thoroughly when you get home!
And finally...
Here is our secret tip for how to keep your bamboo cutlery set looking great for longer!
Fry it.
Yep, you heard me right. Shallow fry your bamboo cutlery for 5 mins in hot vegetable oil. The oil will provide a natural lacquer that protects the bamboo from mould or degradation. Pretty strange right? Try it and let us know if it helped in the comments below.
If you have any other tips to help bamboo utensils last for longer, let us know! The more tips, the merrier!
Don't forget, we also make engraved bamboo cutlery sets for weddings and events!
