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Caring for Your Handcrafted Bowls, Trays and
Accessories Sturdy, earthy and a half step removed from the hands of an
artisan—those are just some of the appealing qualities of South Pacific woods
from Island Imports. Rule number one in caring for your collection: never, never put wood in a dishwasher. One consumer, Karen Schoenig, set off smoke alarms in her home when a pair of wooden spoons started burning in the dry cycle. Hand wash all wood ware with soap and water. Any items with knife cuts should be carefully scrubbed since crevices can harbor bacteria. As a precaution, clean with a mild solution--two tablespoons of bleach to a quart of water--but you only need do so on an occasional basis. Remove any tackiness by rubbing with salt or fine 120 grit sandpaper. Salt, particularly kosher salt, draws out bacteria as well. Regular use of wooden bowls, boards and utensils brings out their natural oils. For enhanced conditioning and a deeper, richer-looking grain, we recommend applying a coating of mineral oil after washing. The mineral oil keeps woods moist and prevents cracking. Source of mineral oil here. Avoid using vegetable or olive oil as a substitute. They’ll get rancid over time. Rub the refined mineral oil into the wood and let it soak in for up to a half-hour. Then wipe off excess and buff for a brilliant patina. Cracking, warping and splintering are telltale signs of wear and, sometimes, unintentional misuse. Wood can crack if left in water too long so never let articles soak. Cutting boards are known to splinter and warp, consequences of fluctuating humidity levels and temperatures in the home. To remedy warping, simply turn the board over and it will eventually straighten itself out. If the piece cracks, it may be time to replace it. The biggest misconception with wooden ware is that it’s unsafe to eat on. Not true. As with any object, keep it clean and you can dine worry-free. And that’s good news for people who like their bowls and utensils as memorable as their meals.
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