Wooden bowls absorb water easily, which is why you shouldn’t soak or submerge them. It’s important, for the same reason, that you never put wooden bowls in the dishwasher. [3] X Expert Source Jon GholianCleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 3 December 2020. Don’t use a scrubbing pad or steel wool unless your bowl has a tough buildup. Soft cloths and sponges are enough for basic cleaning. Wash the bowl right after you use it to ensure stains don’t set in. [4] X Expert Source Jon GholianCleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 3 December 2020.

Try to rinse the bowl in about five seconds rather than letting it linger in the running water.

It may help to press the towel into the bowls more than you would when drying other materials. The pressure will draw some of the moisture out.

Don’t put a wooden bowl that is still wet into the cabinet, as this might keep it from drying completely and can ruin the bowl or cause mildew.

Lemon juice is commonly used as a disinfectant and the salt provides a slight abrasion to the bowl’s surface. A lime can be used, also, and regular table salt will have a similar effect. Scrub the outside of the bowl, too.

Depending on how often you use the bowls, disinfect them after every five uses or so.

You only need to sand the area that has a lot of buildup, not the entire bowl, but if the entire bowl has buildup, it’s okay to lightly sand the whole thing. Remember, you only want to buff away the extra, non-wood layer that has developed. Don’t apply so much pressure that you start taking off wood.

You may find mineral oil that is not specifically labelled as food grade. Some of this is safe for consumption and some of it isn’t. If you’re unsure, look for “white mineral oil,” as this is the kind that has been refined enough for consumption.

Don’t be afraid of putting too much oil on the bowl. If it seems like the first application soaked into the bowl, put a second, or even third, coat onto it. Depending on how much you use your bowls. Treat them with mineral oil every couple of months or at least two times a year.

Allowing the mineral oil to sit for a short time will still help the bowls last, but not as well as letting the oil soak in for longer.

Put them back in the cabinet for later use, or go ahead and use them now. The purpose of using food grade oil is that it’s safe for consumption.