How can I clean my wooden pestle?

[Luca Lazzari]

Hi friends,
I just bought a marble mortar with a wooden pestle in Liguria, and I used them to make a garlic sauce.
Now the mortar is ok, while the pestle smells of garlic like hell!
Anyone knows how to get rid of this? I think I'll start bathing it in some soap.

Thanks everyone

[Aunt Bea]

I would try lemon juice, fresh air, sunshine.

[Luca Lazzari]

Originally Posted by Aunt Bea

I would try lemon juice, fresh air, sunshine.

I just squeezed a lemon in a bowl of hot water, then "inserted" the head of the pestle in the squeezed lemon and put the pestle/lemon assembly in the water.
Waiting for the outcome, thank you Aunt Bea

[Aunt Bea]

I would just rub the cut lemon on it and let it dry.

In the future don't use a lemon just for this. Wait until you are using a lemon for some other reason and rub it on before you throw it out.

[Luca Lazzari]

Yes, actually I used a leftover lemon I found in my fridge. I'm very wise on this matters: I don't like to waste anything, like my old blessed grandmas!!!

[justplainbill]

Soak in a paste of baking (bicarbonate) soda powder and water.
Then let paste dry on pestle and bush off.

[Robo410]

mild vinegar and water works too.

[Luca Lazzari]

Thanks everyone, now I can use my pestle for quite anything!

[pacanis]

Originally Posted by Luca Lazzari

Yes, actually I used a leftover lemon I found in my fridge. I'm very wise on this matters: I don't like to waste anything, like my old blessed grandmas!!!

I have half a lemon with no zest in my refrigerator right now.
I may need to purchase a wooden pestle so it doesn't go to waste

[Luca Lazzari]

Originally Posted by pacanis

I have half a lemon with no zest in my refrigerator right now.
I may need to purchase a wooden pestle so it doesn't go to waste

Ok, after the lemon treatment, I went for the baking soda powder. Time to wash it, let's hope it worked!