Caring instructions for handcrafted olive wood
Handcrafted olive wood products are unique, high quality, distinctive items worth protecting.
This extremely hard, dense wood, if treated properly, will last a lifetime and longer.
The following guide will explain everything you need to know about olive wood treatment so you can enjoy your pieces for decades to come.
Washing and drying..
Although olive wood is naturally anti-bacterial, you should always hand wash it after everyday use. Never place olive wood products in a dishwasher. The intense heat of the dishwasher will cause cracks, over dry the wood and damage it. Use warm water and a mild dishwasher soap to clear away any food particles. Rinse the detergent away and allow the wood to dry completely before using it again. You can decide to hang them to dry, or even better, wipe away the moisture with a drying towel. Additionally, never leave the olive wood soaking or exposed to heat for extended periods to avert swelling peeling and cracking.
Sanitizing.
If you haven’t used the olive wood kitchenware for a while you need to reduce the spread of bacteria from the wooden material to your meals. Wash your utensils as explained above, then mix a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and rub your olive wood to sanitize it. After ten minutes rinse it with warm water and allow it to dry. You can also mix lemon juice and salt into a paste to scrub your olive wood if it’s gotten dirty since the last time you used it. Another option is to use distilled white vinegar.
Oiling.
Protects the wood by filling its pores and keeping it moisturized. As the oil absorbs into the wood, it oxidizes and hardens to become part of the wood. The rate at which you use the olive wood will determine how often you need to oil it. If you use it frequently, you must oil every week, otherwise, oiling once in two months is enough. Apply either Olive Oil or food grade mineral oil on the utensils from top to bottom and allow the oil sit on the surface for one or two hours, after which you clean off the excess oil, and store in a cool, dry place. Don’t use the utensils until the oil has absorbed into the wood.
Neutralizing.
Since your Olive Wood kitchenware can soak up the strong aroma of some spices such as onion or garlic, it is best that you neutralize your utensils of any strong aroma that might have stuck to it over a while. To neutralize, rub the exterior part with lemon juice or a paste of baking soda and water. This will help reduce the smell and return the utensils to their original smell.
