How do you clean and sterilize a wooden bowl?

The wooden bowls are very attractive and, unlike the porcelain bowls, they are practically indestructible. Most of the wooden bowls can fall and hit without causing permanent damage. These bowls are also easy to clean. However, certain rules must be followed when washing wooden bowls, as heat and humidity can adversely affect any type of wood, regardless of its type. It is necessary to wash these bowls by hand and it is equally important to disinfect them periodically, in addition to regular washing.

Let’s see, with this guide, how to sterilize a wooden bowl.

Wash

To clean wooden bowls, fill the kitchen sink halfway with warm water, adding dishwashing detergent, mix lightly and dip the wooden bowls. Cleaning must be performed within 5-10 minutes; absolutely do not leave the bowls to soak because the wood could expand, creating cracks. Rub the front and back of each plate with a soapy sponge, removing any leftover food encrusted with a nylon sponge. The use of steel wool is instead to be avoided because it could scratch the wood. Rinse bowls well under warm running water.

Drying

Use a soft, clean cloth to remove excess moisture from the wooden bowls, leaving them dry in the drainer. To extend their life, it is advisable to avoid rubbing between bowls, bowls, and wooden cutting boards; it is good to spend some mineral oil for food once a month. Avoid washing in the dishwasher, as high temperatures can damage the wood; moreover, the drying cycle, combined with the high temperature, can cause permanent burns.

Sterilize wooden bowls step by step

Wooden spoons and spoons are the most complicated to disinfest, due to their nature. Consequently, in this detailed and informative guide that will be exposed in the following steps:

Evaluate the characteristics of the wood

The wooden bowl undoubtedly represents a very particular type of pottery. By virtue of the wood characteristics, which is a porous surface and often not waterproof, it will be necessary to put in place particular and much more specific sterilization methods, both as regards the accuracy of the interventions and their frequency.

Without considering that wooden bowls are more subject to wear and deterioration. Therefore not all sterilization interventions can be valid: only those that do not interfere with the properties and characteristics of the wood will have to be used. Sterilization and disinfestation: here are the two phases that must be prepared for proper cleaning of these bowls.

Use a microwave oven

The initial operations that will be carried out to disinfect the wooden bowls optimally are as follows

• Take those to be sterilized,
• Place them on the microwave oven shelf,
• Activate the appliance for a maximum of 120 seconds (setting it at maximum power),
• Take each dish with a cloth quite often and let everything cool on any clean shelf.

From this point of view, there are also alternative operations that can be put into practice. Let’s see which ones, in the next paragraph.

Bring a bowl to the boil

If you do not have a microwave oven, you can get a bowl, fill it with water and salt, bring it to a boil, place the wooden bowls to be sterilized internally and leave them immersed in the boiling liquid for about 120 seconds. When the time comes to remove them from the bowl, you must immediately dry the wooden bowls which have been disinfected with a not soiled cloth and then place them in their drawer.

Use white wine vinegar

Another opportunity available to be able to sterilize the wooden bowls properly is to use a few drops of white wine vinegar to pass over them with a soft enough sponge, to rinse the wooden cutlery under running water and drying everything with a clean cotton cloth, to prevent water residues from generating mold.

Sprinkle coarse salt

Since the wood absorbs both food residues and the smells of the food with which it comes into contact, it will be preferable to periodically sterilize also the cutting boards made of wood and the rolling pins used to roll out the dough (sweet or savory). To perform this task on a wooden cutting board, you will need to sprinkle its surface with coarse salt, rub it well with lemon peel, rinse everything with hot water and leave to dry.

Dilute a baking soda solution

To sterilize a rolling pin, you will need to use a solution of baking soda and lemon juice. After making a fairly dense compound, it will be necessary to rub the object with your own hands and then let it dry completely in the sun: to prevent the flies and insects from resting on the newly disinfected rolling pin and dirty it with their paws. This tool kitchen towels will be covered with a thin veil. A truly ideal solution against dirt, wear and tear of time and the corrosive action of atmospheric agents. For thorough cleaning to be repeated at least twice a month.

You will need to sterilize your home cutlery once or twice a month. You will not have to exaggerate with the time leftover of the wooden bowl over the microwave, otherwise, the wood may split.