Olive Wood Care - Just Wood Products

How To Care For Olive Wood Products To Ensure Long-Lasting Use

Congratulations on purchasing one of our olive wood products and we hope that you love it. Great care has been taken in its creation and with the proper care it should last for decades or more, making it a great investment for the home or as a thoughtful gift for a special friend.

Below, you’ll find answers to all of your questions and concerns relating to the care of your olive wood bowls, candlesticks, chopping boards and more.

How to properly clean olive wood after daily use

Despite its natural antibacterial properties, it’s essential to clean olive wood after each use. Begin by spraying warm water onto the wood and delicately applying a mild detergent to eliminate any food residue. Rinse thoroughly to remove the detergent, and ensure the wood dries completely before its next use. Avoid placing olive wood items in the dishwasher, as the high temperatures can distort and harm the wood. Additionally, refrain from letting olive wood products soak in water for extended periods as this can cause swelling, grain elevation and cracking.

Do I need to oil olive wood?

Like most wooden items, it’s important to apply a thin layer of oil to your olive wood products to maintain their health. This process fills the wood’s pores, ensuring it remains protected, moisturised, and flexible. As the oil seeps into the wood, it oxidises and solidifies, integrating seamlessly with the material. This results in a non-greasy finish that shields the wood from water, stains, dust, and other pollutants.

Failure to oil your olive wood utensils will lead to eventual drying out and cracking. However, before reaching this stage, you’ll notice the wood losing its lustre and developing a hazy appearance. This may manifest as a dusty whitish layer, indicating the need for conditioning. Prioritise treating your wood before it deteriorates to this extent, ensuring your olive wood products last for years to come.

What oil is best for conditioning olive wood?

To ensure the longevity of your olive wood products, regular conditioning with oil is essential. However, not all oils are equally effective. To help you maximise the lifespan of your olive wood items, we’ve compiled a list of commonly used oils and evaluated their suitability as olive wood conditioners.

Olive oil – While olive oil might seem like a natural choice for conditioning olive wood, it’s not the optimal option. Olive oil and other common cooking oils can turn rancid over time, imparting an unpleasant odour to your olive wood. If opting for olive oil, ensure it’s fresh and watch out for dark, sticky residues.
Beeswax – Beeswax, a thick and sticky substance produced by bees to construct honeycombs, is frequently used to condition olive wood cutting boards. It leaves the wood with a glossy, varnished appearance and effectively hydrates it. However, it’s not suitable for vegans due to its animal origin.
Fractionated coconut oil – Fractionated coconut oil, obtained through steam distillation to remove excess saturated fat, is an excellent choice for conditioning olive wood. It’s shelf-stable and won’t spoil over time, making it ideal for wood preservation.
Food-grade mineral oil – Also known as liquid paraffin, mineral oil is a non-toxic, odourless product derived from petroleum. It forms a protective barrier on the surface of olive wood, preventing moisture absorption and prolonging its lifespan. However, ensure the mineral oil you choose is food-safe.
Carnauba wax – Carnauba wax, sourced from Brazilian palm tree leaves, is renowned for its glossy finish and water-resistant properties. Often used in various applications, including wood polishing, it provides effective protection to olive wood items.

Avoid using standard wood polish on your olive wood products, as most commercial polishes contain toxic ingredients that can contaminate food. If accidental ingestion occurs, contact poison control immediately for assistance.

How to condition olive wood

While conditioning olive wood may seem daunting, it’s actually a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes. Here’s a quick guide:

Gather the necessary supplies, including a lint-free cloth or small kitchen towel. Avoid abrasive materials like sponges or steel wool, which can scratch the wood and introduce bacteria.
Apply a small amount of oil or wax onto the cloth or towel.
Gently massage the oil or wax into the wood using small circular motions.
Reapply more oil or wax to the cloth as needed until the entire wood surface is coated in a thin layer of conditioner.
Allow the wood to sit for at least 12 hours.
Wipe away any excess oil or wax from the wood using a clean cloth or towel.

Avoid over-conditioning your olive wood; a thin layer of conditioner is sufficient to rejuvenate the wood. Overuse of oil can leave the surface feeling slick and greasy, compromising its usability. Additionally, refrain from using the product until the oil has been fully absorbed into the wood.

What to do if you haven’t used your olive wood products in a while

The biggest risk of using olive wood products after a long time is that dust, dirt, pests, or bacteria may have penetrated into the wood. Even if it doesn’t look hazy or dried out, it could be contaminated. Therefore, you’ll want to sanitise your olive wood products after letting them sit for more than a month or two.

Follow these steps to sanitise your olive wood bowls and utensils:

1. Make a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
2. Gently rub the solution into your olive wood products.
3. Let sit for 5 minutes and then rinse the olive wood clean.
4. If there are any visible stains, combine lemon juice with sugar and rub the mixture against the wood.
5. Wash away the sugar and lemon juice using a gentle detergent.
6. Alternatively, you can use distilled white vinegar to clean olive wood.
7. Allow the wood to dry completely and then condition it using the method shown above.

Avoid using overly acidic products, such as commercial cleaners, as these products can damage olive wood and leave nasty stains.

What to do if your olive wood starts to smell

While olive wood typically exudes a pleasant aroma, prolonged use can lead to undesirable smells if not adequately maintained. If your olive wood products begin to emit a rancid odour due to spoiled oil, you can effectively neutralise the scent with a simple solution of baking soda and water. Here’s how to proceed:

Prepare a mixture of baking soda and water.
Apply the mixture generously onto the affected wood surfaces.
Allow the solution to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes to effectively neutralise the odour.
Rinse the wood thoroughly to remove the baking soda mixture.
If the rancid smell persists, try squeezing the juice of one lemon onto the wood and gently massage it into the products.
Wash away the lemon juice and ensure the wood dries completely before use.

By following these steps, you can effectively eliminate unpleasant odours from your olive wood products and restore their natural freshness.

Olive wood, cherished for centuries, brings timeless charm to any household or culinary space. Ensuring its cleanliness and proper conditioning is key to preserving its beauty for years on end. Handwashing with mild detergents and regular application of food-safe oils will maintain its longevity. Before using after a period of disuse, ensure to sanitise your olive wood thoroughly before enjoying its use