Care Instructions
Warm soapy water for cleaning handmade wooden items
The Patina of Natural Ageing
Freshly carved White Birch Kuksa (second from right) next to a 6 month old Kuksa (far right) - well loved with daily morning coffee.
Black Cherry (Oiled), Aspen (Natural), Black Walnut (Oiled), Black Cherry (Oiled).
Oiled Sycamore Eating Spoon - Linseed Oil
Looking after handmade Kuksas, Spoons, and Bowls
Woodenware doesn't take much looking after, but take good care of your hand carved treen and they will last a lifetime. Gentle washing and occasional oiling will get the best out of your carefully hand crafted piece.
Cleaning Care
Woodenware love a nice warm bubble bath —
- Washing by hand with warm soapy water
- Wipe with a soft sponge
- Drip dry, to prevent wood from absorbing water
- Don't leave to soak
- NOT suitable for the dishwasher of course
Occasional re-oiling can help keep your woodenware in tip top condition, but is not necessary.
Patina & Ageing - Natural finish vs Oiled finish
Spoons left in their natural state without oil will quickly gain a beautiful patina and colour. Pre-oiled spoons and kuksas will age more slowly but become aged with time through use - each gaining an antique-like character of their own, with a hardened surface for longevity. Both approaches result in a beautiful rich ageing - personalised woodenware that tell the story of their lives, and the love of their owner through their unique patina. Both oiling, natural and painted surfaces on spoons and kuksas are common traditions.
Spoon Oil
People often ask which oils I use on my hand crafted woodenware. Different oils subtly change the colour of the spoon or kuksa. Some of my most commonly used food safe oils are —
- Linseed Oil
- Tung Oil
Many people love to leave them in their natural state, however most of my spoons and kuksas come with a hardened oiled surface.
Oil for Spoon and Kuksa care is available in the Shop