Olive wood bowls can be incredibly beautiful. Olive wood itself is known for its dark striations, and it can be finished down to a really smooth texture that is ideal for bowls. But while olive wood is hard, durable, and fit for this purpose, it is still wood. Therefore, bowls made from olive wood do require some specific care in order to keep them in good shape.
Handwash the bowls
Dishwashers can become too hot, and they expose the olive wood to detergents that are too strong. So, you don't want to wash your olive wood bowls in the dishwasher. Set them aside and handwash them. When you do so, just use a mild dish detergent and a soft cloth. You don't want to scrub too hard or use an abrasive sponge, though, as that could scruff the wood and make it too porous on the surface.
Coat the bowls in mineral oil
After you wash the bowls, apply a small amount of mineral oil to the wood. You should only need a dime-size amount, maybe a tiny bit more for a larger bowl. Work the mineral oil into the wood, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then wipe away any excess. This helps keep liquids and other stain-generating items from soaking into the wood. You don't have to do this every time you wash the bowls. Every three or four washes is probably fine, depending on how dry the wood looks.
Don't let them sit in water
Never let your olive wood bowls sit in water. Clean them immediately after you use them to keep food from getting stuck on them. This way, you won't feel the need to soak them. Soaking can open the pores of the wood too wide, leading to rot, staining, and other issues.
Store them in an enclosed cupboard
While you may want to put your beautiful bowls out on a shelf to display them, you are actually better off storing them in an enclosed cabinet, if possible. This keeps dust from settling on them so you don't feel the need to wash them as often. It also helps keep them from being exposed to as much humidity in the air.
Olive wood bowls are not overly difficult to care for. As long as you follow the tips above, you should be on the right track. Contact a local olive wood bowl company, such as Ruccello Olive Oil, to learn more. Be kind to your bowls, use them well, and enjoy.
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