How to Care for Olive Wood Bowl?
Olive wood is one of the rarest and most beneficial types of wood worldwide. It provides many health, environmental, natural, and other benefits. It is made from olive trees that have become infertile and lost their ability to produce more fruits. So, artisans thought of cutting and crafting the trees to secure and preserve their legacy and make the most out of it in multiple ways.
If you are fond of your precious olive wood products and never see them leave you or, simply, you can say, damage them, then you should keep reading because, in this article, you will learn how to care for olive wood utensils.
Why Choose Olive Wood?
Olive wood is known for its durability and multifunctionality. It is the best ingredient for helping with kitchenware. The products made from these materials look good on the countertop and enhance the functionality of your kitchen.
It is eco-friendly, which means that the product is made from olive wood, using the infertile olive wood that produces zero fruits. Additionally, olive wood has inherent antibacterial properties, which help keep your food safe. Beyond practicality, each piece of olive wood is a work of art.
Need for Cleaning Olive Wood Utensils
Everything has multiple cleaning processes that help to enhance its use, and the same is true with olive wood products. Neglecting to clean your olive wood items can significantly reduce their lifespan. However, if you care for them and clean them properly, you won't have to worry about bacteria, fungi, mould, cracks, odours, or cuts.
There are multiple efficient ways to make your olive wood products last long and get the most out of them. Olive trees are less harvested annually, and their value increases due to their short branches and short height. Understanding the monetary worth of these trees and honouring their heritage highlights the importance of properly caring for and cleaning olive wood utensils.
Basic Cleaning Guidelines
Olive wood utensils are easier to clean than plastic or other materials. They are naturally antibacterial and eco-friendly, and their natural benefits make them more useful. To maintain the beauty of your precious olive wood utensils, you have to clean them right after use. Allow me to guide you through the process of cleaning the olive wood utensils.
Rinse Utensils with Warm Water
The first and foremost step is to rinse your olive wood utensils with warm water. This helps remove dirt and oil, ensuring your utensils are clean. Warm water will eliminate loose particles and prepare them for a thorough cleaning. Keep in mind that olive wood is not dishwasher-friendly.
Handwash with Mild Soap
Use mild soap and gently rub it with your hands to clean the olive wood utensils, removing scratches and stubborn residues. Be sure to use only a small amount of soap, as excessive soap can dry out the olive wood, making it unsuitable for use in the long term.
Rinse Thoroughly
After applying mild soap to your olive wood product, be sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove any soap particles or residue. If soap is left behind, it can make the wood feel tacky. However, it's important to avoid soaking your olive wood utensils for an extended period.
Dry Immediately
After rinsing your olive wood products, immediately dry them with a towel to remove any excess water. If you don't dry them, the air can cause the wood to absorb moisture, which opens the pores of the olive wood. This can lead to swelling of the wood grain and may result in cracks.
Periodic Maintenance
Maintaining olive wood products over time is the main step most people forget. Washing olive wood and exposing it to the air can deeply dry it out, and for this purpose, oil is needed to save the wood from cracks and dehydration.
4 Best Oils for Olive Wood Care
If you are a professional and cooking enthusiast, then the steps related to caring for your beloved olive wood products are compulsory. Following are the famous oils used for oiling olive wood products:
1. Olive Oil
When you think about olive wood products, you might also think about olive oil because both olive oil and olive wood are made from olive trees. Olive oil can increase the aroma of your product and make it more charming for daily use. Make sure to always use fresh olive oil because, over time, it can become stinky and turn black.
2. Beeswax
Beeswax is a thicker substance than oil, and it is created by the bees that use beeswax to craft honeycombs. This thicker substance is best for oiling your olive wood utensils so that they become useful for many years.
3. Refracted Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil is the best option to save your olive wood products. There are many varieties of coconut oil, and you should use only refracted coconut oil. It is perfect for removing any extracted fats, making it best for olive wood utensils.
4. Food-Grade Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is made from petroleum. It is clear, odourless, and never affects the flavour of food. It prevents your food from becoming tasteless and odourless. It is purified and safe for kitchen items like cutting boards, wooden utensils, and other food-contact surfaces. It also helps prevent drying and cracking without becoming rancid.
How To Oil Your Olive Wood Products?
Conditioning your olive oil products once a month, or if you use them regularly, then use them most frequently. It helps your wood be free from cracks and dryness, making it suitable for a long period of time.
- Find a soft towel or cloth.
- Apply a small amount of oil to the cloth
- Rub onto the wood in circular motions
- Let the wood absorb for 12 hours
- Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth
1. Sanitize for Protection
You might think that olive wood products are naturally antibacterial, so why sanitize them? Well, let me tell you that this is the step you must follow when you have not used your olive wood products for a long time.
First, make a solution with water and hydrogen peroxide in a large bowl or container. Then soak your olive wood item in that for about 5 to 10 minutes. After soaking, put the utensil outside and immediately dry it with a soft towel.
2. Deep Clean to Get Rid of Odor
If you do not properly care for your olive wood products, you may eventually notice a bad smell coming from them. In this case, you will need to deep clean the item to eliminate the odour. For this purpose, you can use baking soda or lemon juice.
Make a thick mixture of baking soda and water, apply it to the olive wood product that has an unpleasant scent, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. If the smell continues, squeeze lemon juice and apply it to the utensil. Then wash it, dry it, and experience the magic of no longer having any awful smell.
3. Sanding for a Smooth Finish
If your utensils begin to feel rough or develop small cracks, you can lightly sand them with fine-grit sandpaper before applying oil. This will smooth out the surface and help the wood absorb the oil more evenly.
4. Avoiding Common Mistakes
To protect your olive wood utensils, avoid using harsh chemicals or putting them in the dishwasher. These can strip the natural oils from the wood, leading to dryness and damage. Also, avoid exposing your utensils to extreme temperatures, such as placing them in the oven or microwave.
Inspect your utensils regularly for signs of damage, such as cracks or splits. If you notice any issues, act immediately to prevent further damage. Never leave olive wood utensils soaking in water, as this can cause swelling, cracking, and warping.
Conclusion
Caring for your olive wood utensils is essential to preserve their beauty and functionality. With proper cleaning, drying, and periodic maintenance, your utensils can remain a cherished part of your kitchen for years to come. Investing time in their care not only enhances their appearance but also prolongs their life, allowing you to enjoy unique charm for generations.
It's an antibacterial material that is free from odour. It quickly enhances the look of your indoors and outdoors. Allow the ancient wood to make a statement in your house while you enjoy a legacy in the shape of a durable item.