From the kitchen to the dinner table, salt and pepper shakers certainly see their fair share of use. As some of the most frequently reached-for items, these little containers of seasoning tend to accumulate a lot more than just salt and pepper. But despite all that handling, they often end up at the bottom of the cleaning list. It’s easy to overlook these small but essential items, but according to kitchen hygiene experts like Jack Kazmierzewski, a good scrub for these shakers is long overdue.
Perched on tables, countertops, or tucked away on shelves, salt and pepper shakers gather dust, grease, and whatever else floats around, especially if they’re near the stove where oil particles mix with the air. In the commercial kitchen world, keeping these shakers clean is essential to prevent health inspection issues and maintain kitchen sanitation standards. And while home kitchens don’t have health inspectors peeking in, regular cleaning of these shakers prevents adding unwanted bacteria to your food. Kazmierzewski advises that cleaning the outside every couple of weeks should suffice for most homes, though weekly cleaning is better for shakers kept near a stovetop or used daily.
Every time someone grabs the shakers, there’s a chance germs or food residues are left behind. Storing them near a stovetop only adds to the grime, as grease and moisture cling to the shakers’ surfaces, building up a sticky, unsanitary film. As for the inside, it doesn’t need quite as much attention, though an occasional scrub when refilling them is a good practice. For those who keep their shakers in damp or humid spots, cleaning the interior every month or two will prevent clumping and mold, which can develop if moisture gets trapped in the salt or pepper.
Moisture and seasoning don’t mix well. When it settles in, it can lead to clumping and even mold. Kazmierzewski emphasizes that shakers sitting around on the counter tend to collect grease, dust, and grime just from their location. Toss in the germs that inevitably accumulate with every use, and you’ve got a setup for a messy, unsanitary kitchen staple. Thankfully, keeping salt and pepper shakers clean isn’t hard if you know the right tricks. For day-to-day grime, a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth will do the job, removing surface dust, oils, and fingerprints. Just remember to dry them off immediately—especially if your shakers are wooden or porous—to prevent moisture from getting inside.
For a deeper clean, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, and use this solution to wipe down the shakers, especially if they’re coated in grease. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and does an excellent job cutting through grease without harsh chemicals. Just be careful not to get the solution inside unless the shakers are empty and have time to dry before being refilled.
Unlike the outer surface, the interior doesn’t need as much scrubbing since it’s less exposed to germs and grime. However, Kazmierzewski notes that exposure to humidity can still lead to issues like clumping and mold, so every few months, a thorough clean of the inside is a good idea. With a little maintenance, those salt and pepper shakers can stay sanitary and ready for use, no matter how often they’re called to duty at the table.
