Yeah people fuss over wooden spoons way too much. My wooden spoons cost me $1-2 each at Walmart, and I abuse the hell out of them knowing that if I ever need to replace them, I have more than got my money's worth.

>You can use soap if you want, but studies have shown it doesn’t make a difference.

(...no links provided). Really? "Studies show" you don't need to use soap to rinse off the wooden cutting board you just chopped up raw chicken on? Without a citation there I'm extremely skeptical

Sure, but the article is mainly about looks (and in the case of wood cups, which seem fairly impractical, although sake cups are ok unfinished, taste transfer). They can look nicer with a finish. I generally dont care, I keep my salad spoons with some oil, and my cooking spoons plain.