How To Clean a Knife Block and Other Storage

Something that might be overlooked when cleaning your kitchen is cleaning your knife storage. While wood blocks, trays and sheaths should stay relatively dirt-free if you only place clean, dry knives in them, there might be instances where they need to be spruced up.

It isn’t hard to do, but there are some important things to consider. Here is how to clean a knife block and other storage, for keeping your knives clean and free from staining.

How To Clean Wood Blocks

Because wood is porous, extra care should be used when cleaning knife wood blocks. As noted above, the best way to keep them in great shape is to only place clean, dry knives in the slots. Also, avoid placing wood blocks in areas where water can easily splash onto them, like near a sink. Water can stain the wood and could even lead to mold build-up.

Water is a wood block’s worst enemy, so never immerse it in water. Also do not place it in a dishwasher, spray it with water or use household cleaners on it.

Instead, here are ways to safely clean a wood block.

For the exterior of the block, use a damp cloth to wipe it down.

To clean inside the slots of a knife block, remove all the knives and then turn the block over to dislodge any debris that may have dropped into the slots.

You could also blow canned air (usually associated with cleaning computer keyboards) into the slots to remove particles.

There are a couple of ways to clean the knife slots. One is to use cutting board oil. Put a bit of the oil on a rag (but do not drench the rag) and insert it into the slot. Repeat with a dry rag to ensure the slot is not oversaturated and let the slots dry before replacing knives.

Another trick is to use a straw brush or pipe cleaner dipped in isopropyl alcohol to insert into the slots.

Again, make sure the slots are completely dry before reinserting knives. Distilled white vinegar is a natural disinfectant and could also be used in a similar way.

How To Clean Plastic Knife Storage Trays

Cleaning plastic knife storage trays is a little more straightforward. You can hand wash them in hot, soapy water and then allow them to dry completely before using.

You can also clean knife storage trays by washing them in the top rack of a dishwasher.

Remember to make sure that the tray is completely dry before placing knives in it.

How To Clean Plastic Knife Sheaths

Plastic knife sheaths are also easy to clean. Similar to trays, they can be hand-washed in hot, soapy water. The sheaths feature holes that allow water inside to drain.

You can also wash sheaths in the top rack of a dishwasher.

As with wood blocks and trays, make sure that the sheaths are completely dry before storing knives in them.

Two key points to remember are to never place a dirty or wet knife into a wood block, tray or sheath, and make sure that after cleaning, storage is completely dry before placing knives in them.