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Habits you need to give up if you want your utensils to last longer

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 Wooden utensils need to be allowed to dry completely to prevent mould (Photo: Shutterstock)

There's definitely nothing as irritating and expensive as replacing your utensils all too often. Unless you're adding more because you want to, buying others due to breakages or heat damage can get tiresome. Once you've invested in good utensils, they should  serve you for years. There is however a catch. Here are some habits you'll have to trash if you want a longer relationship with your dear utensils.

1. Using cold water in washing

One of the key reasons why modern kitchens incorporate having two taps is not plainly for aesthetics. One tap is meant to release hot water while the other should release cold one. This is all to ensure you wash your dishes with warm water. Not only is this method effective because warm water removes grease and oil faster, but also your utensils benefit from minimal scrubbing.

2. Using too much vinegar

You have probably read about using vinegar as a cleaning agent. It works well in removing stubborn stains. However, use it in excess and it will corrode your silverware, leave deposits and even react with your aluminium coated utensils. Instead, dilute the vinegar in water before soaking your utensils.

 Using warm water to wash your dishes loosens the dirt so you don't need to scrub them too much (Photo: Shutterstock)

3. Failing to dry them completely

If you don’t allow your wooden spoons, mwikos and wooden chopping board to dry completely, they will get damaged and even grow mould due to the damp conditions. Once you wash your wooden utensils, leave them out to dry completely before storing them. A dish cloth might remove surface moisture but the wood may not be completely dry. Once in a while, polish them with oil to keep them looking as good as new. Metal utensils on the other hand will develop water stains if not dried well. Use a dish cloth to wipe off excess water and help maintain their shine.

4. Soaking wooden utensils too long

Wooden utensils are a sensitive lot. Unlike their stainless steel buddies, their cleaning and storage needs more caution. Because of the wooden nature, soaking them in water for too long is likely to make these utensils get extremely damp. That means they can break apart more, start cracking and challenge you when drying. You definitely don't want to have your wooden items coated with mold.

5. Storing without wrapping in plastic

The beautiful silverware that you use as the centerpieces of your dining table could be getting corroded as you may notice over time. This is all from the result of storage. How you store your silverware will make the difference between a shine and a dull centerpiece. Storing them when uncovered in plastic is a grievous mistake. To avoid this, ensure that once dry, you wrap with a cling film and store in a dark place

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