Cleaning & Caring for Your Wooden Products
Our products are practical and suitable for everyday use, and the better you care for your product, the longer it will last and stay looking and feeling beautiful.
As wood is a natural material, it is hygroscopic, meaning that it will change and absorb moisture according to its environment and therefore you should not leave your product next to heat sources nor in damp conditions.
Our wood is naturally antibacterial and self-sterilises, meaning that not only is your product eco-friendly, the care of it is too.
Here’s how to care for your new wooden bowl or lunchbox.
How to clean
For day-to-day cleaning, wash your wooden bowl or lunchbox by hand in lightly soapy water, but do not leave submerged.
Dry well with a cloth and leave to air dry in a drying rack – do not lay flat as it may encourage warping.
For a deeper clean
Mix one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of water to form a paste (for an extra-powerful clean, add a little white vinegar and lemon juice).
Give your product a good scrub and then follow the general cleaning instructions above.
Can you put wood in the dishwasher?
No! Aside from being expensive and wasteful, dishwashers can damage and warp your wooden bowl or lunchbox.
Oiling and maintenance
You should oil wooden products regularly to help avoid stains and cracks. Each month, or when your product appears a little dry, it is time to oil your product.
- Ensure the product is completely dry
- Apply a food-safe mineral oil or wax to your product using a lint-free cloth or kitchen roll, ensuring full coverage.
- Leave for a few hours and wipe off any excess.
What are the best oils to use for wood?
We recommend using a food-safe mineral oil or wax, such as:
- coconut oil
- linseed oil
- beeswax / carnabua
- almond/ walnut oil (be careful with allergies!)
Never use olive or vegetable oils as they can turn rancid.
Our preferred wax oil is available to purchase directly from our store – a blend of tung oil, mineral oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, beeswax, and carnauba.
How to fix warped wood
Wood is naturally pretty porous and when one side of a product is exposed to water and the other is not (such as when it is drying flat on a surface), the wet side will expand and the dry side stays put.
Do not be tempted to submerge in water or steam it to try to force it back to shape as this could ruin your product completely – it may even split in two.
To fix a warped wooden bowl:
- Using a wet sponge, wipe the concave side only
- Leave your product wet side down for a few days
That is all, it will do the trick!