Wood Bowls: How To Care For Your Wooden Bowls

Written by: Karen Marsh

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Nothing looks better on the table than a warm, rich wood bowl filled with your latest salad creation. And, with a few easy tips, you can keep your wood bowls looking great for a lifetime.

How To Clean Your Wood Bowls

It's actually quite easy to care for and clean your wooden salad bowls. Just remember a few easy wooden bowl care tips:

First, always handwash your bowls. Never soak them in water as prolonged exposure to water will affect the color and tone of the bowl, and dry it out. 

Use warm water and a mild soap to wash the surface. Dry with a soft cloth.

Remember to never put a wooden bowl in the dishwasher.

Tip: if your wood salad bowl feels dry after cleaning, treat it with a little organic, food-safe bowl rub.

How Do You Sanitize A Wood Bowl?

You can give your wood bowls a deeper clean with vinegar. Simply mix 1 part white vinegar with 5 parts water. Wet the bowl with the solution and let it sit for several minutes. Rinse with warm water and air dry.

How to Season a Wood Salad Bowl for First Time Use

Seasoning wooden bowls helps keep them in optimal condition.

Most new wood bowls require a full "seasoning" before first time use. However, if you purchased an American Farmhouse Bowl, your new wood salad bowl has already been seasoned.


For wood bowls that do require seasoning, follow these steps every day for a week, then once a week for the next 3 weeks.


Before seasoning, be sure the bowl is fully dry. Then, soak it liberally in bowl mineral oil for 5 minutes to several hours. Wipe the oil off and use the bowl as usual.

Tip: shorten the seasoning process with our Bowl and Board Rub – made of an emulsion of carnauba oil, beeswax, and 3 natural oils. 

Just rub in generously and let sit for 15 minutes. Buff on any excess rub. Your wood bowl will be protected against drying and cracking and will have soft luster.

Fun fact: our organic bowl rub not only adds a beautiful sheen to wood bowls, but it actually softens the skin on your hands, too!

Do I Need to Treat My Wooden Bowls Monthly?

All wood products - from bowls to boards to spoons - require at least a once/monthly treatment with food-safe mineral oil. We recommend our popular, organic Bowl Rub - it brings out the beauty and sheen of your wood bowl every time. 


If you live in dry climate, or if you use your wood products often, consider treating them more than once a month. This TLC will extend the life of the wood bowl and keep it looking gorgeous year-round. 


Simply rub a bit of our preserver onto the bowl and polish. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rub off any excess. You're going to love the way your wood bowl comes back to life!

A little about The New England Trading Company’s wood bowls:

We’re proud to carry American Farmhouse Bowls – they’re beautiful yet functional and each premium hardwood bowl is carefully handcrafted from a single piece of sustainably harvested wood.

Wood Bowls: Care Guide for Wooden Bowls

Unlike many box store bowls, our solid wood bowls are always crafted from premium hardwood rather than secondary hardwoods that lack beauty and grain strength. And, they are always free of chemicals, stains, glazes, and artificial wood enhancers.

The beauty of our bowls is heightened by 2 drippings in mineral oil and 3 consecutive treatments with Bowl and Board Rub. The quality and attention to detail makes our wood bowls wonderful gifts and family heirlooms. 

If you're looking for a unique coastal gift idea, be sure to check out our wood bowl collection. Each bowl is crafted with care from natural and sustainable materials, making them not only beautiful but environmentally friendly, too. So go ahead, add some warmth and charm to your kitchen with a beautiful wood bowl!

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