For years you have used your wooden bowl in almost every gathering that you’ve hosted. Family gatherings, holiday parties, or summer get-togethers, regardless of the time or season, a wooden bowl makes an amazing addition to your kitchen arsenal, and is one that will catch the attention of your guests.
You want them to notice the beauty, uniqueness, and versatility of the wooden bowl, not any unpleasant build-up or bad smells that might come along after many uses. Cleaning a wooden bowl is not a daunting task, but with proper care you can remove any gunk and eliminate odors from your wooden bowl to help keep it lasting for many more years to come.
You can revive your wooden bowl by using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad, some lemon juice, and pumice dust to remove any oily buildup that has occurred over many years of use. This build-up is likely caused by the use of a vegetable-based oil or lard to preserve the bowl. Unfortunately, using vegetable oil creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which then builds up and becomes gummy or tacky to the touch.
In most cases, using the pumice and lemon juice will safely remove the old layers of vegetable oil and the smell. It will probably take over one application of lemon juice and pumice to do the job. Once you remove the old oil layers, clean the bowl with warm water and mild soap and hand dry.
Once your bowl is spotless and dry, it is time to apply a coat of our Bee’s Oil Wood Preserver. Bee’s Oil Wood Preserver is completely food safe and made only from food-safe oil and beeswax. It will penetrate the wood and leave a soft protective luster to all wooden products. Not only is it easy to use, but it also smells wonderful.
Don’t let a bad smell force your wooden bowl into an early retirement. With proper maintenance and cleaning, you will not have to worry about any unpleasant build-up or odors, and you can continue to use your wooden bowl for all events that you will host. These tips work for more than just wooden bowls, though. You can apply the same techniques to wooden cutting boards, serving platters, or utensils.
Be confident that anything you purchase from Holland Bowl Mill will look amazing and last a lifetime. For more information, or to place an order for a new set of bowls, call us at (616) 396-6513.
