Wooden Knife Block - How To Clean in 9 Simple Steps

Wooden Knife Block - Why You Need to Clean It

Having a wooden knife block allows you to neatly organize all your knives, saving you bench space while adding class to your kitchen benchtop.

But if you don’t properly clean and dry your knives before storing them in your wooden knife block, bacteria and mold will spawn within the knife slots.

And if your benchtop gets wet then you may get a nasty surprise when you lift up your knife block.

It’s recommended to give your wooden knife block a good clean once a month by following the steps below. For an easier solution, you can always opt for a magnetic knife rack which will save more bench space, give you easy access to all your knives and a simple wipe occasionally will suffice.

Furi Pro Magnetic Knife Rack 7 Pc Set

What You Need

• A small bottle brush or pipe cleaner
• Brush, or mildly abrasive sponge
• Dish soap
• Dishcloths
• Scraper
• Bleach (or distilled white vinegar)

Instructions

1. Clean each of the slots: take out all your knives and any accessories, turn the knife block over and shake out any dirt or crumbs that were lodged inside.
2. Clean the outside of the wooden block: using a small bottle brush, scrub the outside of the wooden knife block with warm soapy water gently.
3. Wipe down: using a damp cloth, wipe down the block.
4. Remove excess moisture: use a scraper to remove any soapy residue.
5. Let the block sit: allow it to dry completely overnight.
6. Bleach it: using a diluted solution of 1 teaspoon bleach and 4 cups of water, clean the outside of the wooden block with a scrub brush and the diluted bleach solution.
7. Clean the slots: now it’s time to clean each of the slots using the bleach and a pipe cleaner.
8. Wipe down again: using a damp cloth wipe down the knife block again, aiming to get it as dry as possible.
9. Let it dry: allow your knife block at least another 12 hours to completely dry, and then you’re all set to put your knives back in!

Notes

If your wooden knife block is still visibly moldy even after following the steps laid out above, then you may need to use a bit of sandpaper and gently sand the surface of the block to remove any moldy residue.

Remember that your knives will rust when exposed to moisture, and allowing moisture and mold to grow in your wood block while they house your knives is going to cut the life expectancy of your knives short.

To view our collection or premium grade knife block sets, shop here. 

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