Care Instructions for Handmade Wooden Products
Wood Bowl Aftercare, Simplified Instructions
These quick rules apply to wood bowls and generally apply to most handmade wooden products.
● Do not microwave.
● Do not put in the dishwasher.
● Keep away from water as much as possible. Do not dip or soak in the sink.
● Avoid dropping the bowl or dropping heavy objects into it.
● Keep away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
● Do not allow fruit or food to go bad in the bowl, as permanent staining can occur.
● To clean soiled areas, use a damp cloth with warm, mild soapy water.
● Pat dry immediately after cleaning.
● Re-oil when needed to help protect and refresh the wood.
Wood is a natural material and needs a little care. Please read below for more detailed instructions for each product type.
Aftercare for Your New Wood Bowl
I am trying to keep these aftercare instructions as simple as possible for each product type. The advice below applies mainly to food-related wooden products that may need to be cleaned after use, such as bowls, serving boards, chopping boards and egg cups.
My current food-safe wood finish is designed to get the piece to you looking its best, just as it left my workshop. Once water, food, or other liquids are introduced, the original shine may dull or disappear. This is normal. The wood should still have some protection, but the surface may no longer look as polished as it did when new.
If you want to refresh the shine later, you can use a non-permanent aftercare product such as Liquid Paraffin, also known as Mineral Oil. Always follow the instructions for whatever aftercare product you choose, and make sure it is suitable for food-contact wooden items.
Oil-Finished Bowls Used for Display
If you bought one of my bowls finished with Danish Oil, Hard Wax Oil, Osmo Oil, or a similar oil finish, it can be used as a display bowl with very little maintenance.
For display use, simply wipe it gently with a dry tissue or soft cloth to remove dust. You can also use a furniture polish cloth every now and again, provided the polish has fully evaporated from the cloth and the cloth is dry to the touch. Wet polish on a cloth may streak the finish.
If the bowl is going back into food use, such as for salads or fruit, I recommend washing off any polish residue first.
Care of Your Wood Bowl
Wood is a natural material and should always be treated with respect and care.
Please follow these basic guidelines:
● Do not microwave.
● Do not put in a dishwasher.
● Do not immerse in water.
● Do not leave in permanently damp conditions.
● Keep away from direct sunlight.
● Keep away from heat sources such as radiators, stoves and open fires.
● Avoid dropping the bowl or dropping heavy items into it, as this may cause dents or cracks.
● Do not allow fruit or food to go bad inside the bowl, as it may permanently stain the wood.
● For best results, keep liquids to a minimum and try to keep the bowl close to the condition it was in when bought.
How to Clean a Wooden Bowl
If the bowl is soiled from food, use a soft kitchen cloth with a little warm mild soapy water and gently clean the affected areas as soon as possible.
Pat dry straight away with a soft towel to remove excess moisture. Please be aware that washing may alter or reduce the original shine.
Never soak the bowl, wash it under running water for long periods, or leave it sitting wet.
Refreshing the Finish
At some point, you may want to refresh the surface to restore some of the shine. Liquid Paraffin, also known as Mineral Oil, is a simple non-permanent option for food-contact wooden items.
Apply according to the product instructions, allow it to soak in, then wipe away any excess. Always make sure any product you use is clearly marked as food-safe.
I had considered making my own Liquid Paraffin and Beeswax wipe-on finish, but decided not to go ahead with it, as it would need proper testing and certification. There are already suitable food-safe products available, so it makes more sense to recommend using properly tested products.
Suitable Food-Safe Aftercare Options
Two simple options are:
● Liquid Paraffin, also known as Mineral Oil
● Hampshire Sheen Food Safe Danish Oil, where available
Please note: Hampshire Sheen Food Safe Danish Oil may not be suitable for airmail shipping.
Important Safety Note
If you use any oil-based finishing product, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Some finishing oils can cause application cloths or rags to generate heat while curing, which may create a fire risk. Dispose of used cloths safely according to the product instructions. Where appropriate, place them safely in a fireplace or another suitable fire-safe location.
Bottle Stoppers/ Bottle Openers/ Ring Tab Pullers
The wooden tops on my bottle stoppers, bottle openers and ring tab pullers are made from fallen Irish hardwood where possible. Each one is turned on the lathe, then sealed, finished and polished using a buffing system.
These pieces are designed to be practical, but the wooden section should still be treated with care. The metal or rubber parts can be cleaned more easily, but the wood should not be soaked, scrubbed or exposed to any moisture.
To clean the metal or rubber part, use a soft cloth with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid if needed. Take care not to wet the wooden top. The wooden part should be wiped gently with a soft, dry cloth or tissue.
Do not put bottle stoppers, bottle openers or ring tab pullers in the dishwasher. Do not immerse them in water or leave them soaking in a sink. Water and heat can damage the finish and may affect the wood over time.
After use, especially with bottle stoppers, wipe the metal or rubber section clean and dry it before storing. Keep the wooden top away from standing water, direct heat and strong sunlight.
With normal use and a little care, these pieces should stay looking well for many years.
Serving Boards/ Chopping Boards/ Egg Cups/ with any of my Finishes
To clean:
These pieces are finished to be practical, but they are still handmade wooden items and should not be treated like plastic, glass or ceramic.
To clean them, wipe any soiled areas with a damp cloth of warm water and a mild detergent, then dry them as soon as possible with a clean cloth. Do not put them in the dishwasher and do not immerse them in water.
Once the wood is fully dry, Liquid Paraffin, also known as Mineral Oil, can be used to refresh and re-seal the surface. This is usually available from a chemist. You can also use a hard wearing Danish Oil food safe to restore the lustre.
Apply the oil generously, allow it to soak in, then wipe away any excess with tissue paper or a clean cloth. When finished, the board, egg cup or wooden piece should have a gentle low-lustre shine.
Keep these pieces away from heat sources and direct sunlight, as heat and strong sunlight can affect both the wood and the finish over time.
Important: Never put handmade wooden boards, egg cups or similar wooden items in the dishwasher, and never leave them soaking in water.
Hanging Ornaments/ Ring Holders
My hanging ornaments and ring holders are finished with wax and should be treated as small handmade wooden pieces, not as ceramic, glass or plastic items.
To clean them, gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth or tissue. A polishing cloth may also be used, provided the cloth is completely dry to the touch and any polish has fully evaporated.
Do not expose these pieces to water, cleaning sprays, oils, creams or other liquids, as this may damage or smear the wax finish.
Please avoid placing ring holders or ornaments in direct sunlight, on windowsills, beside sinks, near radiators, close to fireplaces, or in very warm places such as attics. Heat and strong sunlight can soften or damage the finish over time.
Wood is a natural material and should always be treated with a little care. With normal indoor use, these pieces should stay looking well for many years.
Why Handmade Wood Needs Care
Wood is a natural material, and every piece I make has come from a once-living tree. Unlike ceramic, glass, plastic or porcelain, wood can still react to moisture, heat, sunlight and changes in the surrounding environment.
That is part of its character, but it also means it needs a little more care. Water can dull or damage the finish, heat can affect the surface coating, and strong sunlight may change the colour of the wood over time.
The aim is not to make wood difficult to own. It is simply to treat it with the respect a natural handmade material deserves. With normal indoor use, gentle cleaning and occasional re-oiling where needed, a handmade wooden product can stay looking well for many years.
Wood is warm to the touch and instantly adds character to any room in your home. That warmth and natural beauty are part of the appeal, but they also come with a simple responsibility: look after the piece gently, and it will reward you for years.
Why I Use Wax Finishes on Decorative Pieces
For many of my smaller decorative pieces, I prefer wax finishes because they give the wood a much smoother, polished feel while still allowing the character of the timber to come through. Lacquers can sometimes give a heavier, film-like appearance, while oils may look a little dull on smaller decorative surfaces.
A wax finish is hard-wearing when the piece is looked after properly, and it suits items such as ring holders, hanging ornaments and other decorative woodcraft pieces that are handled but not washed. It also gives a softer, more natural feel than some heavier surface coatings.
Another advantage is that wax finishes can usually be refreshed or repaired more easily than some other finishes. With the right equipment, a waxed piece can often be lightly cleaned, re-waxed or buffed back to a shine.
That does not mean wax should be treated like plastic, lacquer or ceramic. It still needs care. Water, heat, strong sunlight and cleaning products can damage or dull the finish, which is why I give specific care instructions for each product type.
I also like that wax finishes can often be refreshed rather than replaced, which fits well with the idea of making natural wooden pieces that are cared for and kept for a long time.
As You Are Here, More Pages to Explore
● Wooden Salad Bowls – Browse hand-turned Irish hardwood salad bowls made for everyday use.
● Household Openers – Explore my range of Irish wood bottle openers for home and gifting.
● Serving Boards – View beautifully crafted serving boards showcasing local Irish hardwood.
● Household & Homeware – Discover useful Irish wood gifts designed for daily living.
● Crafter’s Haven – Visit my craft-supplies section for ribbon, bags, bows and more.
● Christmas Ribbons – Shop festive ribbon options to add colour and charm to your gifts.
● Woodturning Tuition – Learn woodturning with private, beginner-friendly sessions in Tralee.
Thank you for visiting, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like any guidance in choosing the perfect gift or piece for your home!