Care and Cleaning

• Never allow food or other liquids to sit in the dishes after use. Wipe the contents from the bowl or plate and clean with a soapy sponge. Rinse well with warm water and dry completely with a towel. Wooden dishes should never be immersed in water for long periods or placed in the dishwasher.
  
  Do not use your wooden dinnerware in a microwave oven or in conventional ovens. Additionally, avoid using them to store food in the refrigerator or in the pantry. You can use them to store and display dry food, such as bananas and apples, on kitchen islands and counter tops.
  
  

Reconditioning

• Recondition your wooden dishes to keep them in the best shape. The frequency of reconditioning depends on how often they are used. Use oil that is especially formulated for wooden dishes to keep them from drying out and warping. Avoid using vegetable or other table oils as this will cause a buildup and odor over time. Many wooden dish manufacturers sell the oil they prefer for you to use or recommend one in their literature. Holland Bowl Mill recommends using B's Oil Salad Bowl & Wood Preserver, while Vermont Wood Turning recommends Millie's Botanical oil made by Sutherland Welles.
  
  Apply the oil to the surface of the dinnerware using a soft cloth or a paper towel. Use enough oil to cover the bowl. Take care to work the oil into small or hard to reach surfaces. Lay the dish on a towel and let the oil covered dish rest for about five minutes. Wipe dry with a soft cloth and buff to a sheen. Do not use the dish for at least two days. Over time, your wooden dishes may begin to darken. This is a natural part of the reconditioning process.
  
  

Eliminating Odor and Buildup

• After many uses, your wooden dinnerware may develop an unpleasant odor. Sometimes this occurs because of oil buildup. Before throwing the dishes out, you can try a restoring technique. Soak a non-abrasive pad with lemon juice and pumice dust and rub over the entire dish. Repeat the procedure until the smell is eliminated. Afterward, wash the dish in warm, soapy water and towel dry. Recondition the dish and wait several days before using.