The most important facts in brief
- The metals from which a singing bowl is made can lead to corrosion.
- Against the resulting stains there is an effective cleaning method.
- There are also several cleaning options for simple soiling.
- These methods have no effect on the sound of the bowl.
- You should always protect your singing bowl during storage and transportation.
Why do stains appear on my singing bowl?
Due to the different metals from which a singing bowl is made, electrical voltages can arise. As a result, galvanic elements are formed and corrosion occurs. But contact with saline or acidic liquids can also promote the process of corrosion. In the process, more copper particles come to the surface, causing reddish-brown stains. The surface of singing bowls is usually sealed after manufacturing so that it is protected. However, especially with very inexpensive singing bowls, this is sometimes done carelessly or neglected. This can lead to contamination, for example, during overseas transport or through contact with sweat (on the hands).
How can I clean my singing bowl?
A particularly fast and effective method from the house of Peter Hess has proven itself especially with heavy soiling: Cleaning with vinegar and salt.
- Create a mixture of about 150-200 ml of commercial vinegar or vinegar essence and 4-5 tablespoons of salt.
- Stir the salt until it dissolves, then spread the solution on a cloth.
- Rub the cloth on the inner and outer surface of the singing bowl for 3-5 minutes.
- Then clean the surface very thoroughly with water until no salt or acid residues remain.
- Then rub the singing bowl dry with a soft cloth and seal the surface with olive or coconut oil.
Note
Apply the oil very thinly so that there is no residue left when you place the singing bowl on a pillow or on clothing.
How are singing bowls traditionally cleaned?
In Nepal, traditional purification is done by a mixture of ash from rice straw and mustard oil. This polishes the shell for several minutes. Since these means are usually not available to us here, we can resort to some alternative cleaning methods.
Cleaning singing bowls with light soiling
For lighter soiling, you can also clean your singing bowl with normal dishwashing detergent. A gentle brass polish can be used as well. Cleaning sponges should be avoided, however, as they often create scratch marks. In our Peter Hess® Shop you can get a biodegradable cleaning stone with which you can also clean, polish and maintain the singing bowls.
With these means you can clean your singing bowl:
- With vinegar and salt (for heavy soiling)
- With detergent
- With a brass plaster milk
- With a cleaning stone
How often should I clean my singing bowl and does this affect the sound?
Depending on how often a singing bowl is cleaned, its color may change over time. Which patina one prefers is, of course, a matter of taste. If you want to keep the golden shine, you should clean your singing bowl about every two months, as mentioned at the beginning. Especially for frequently used therapy singing bowls we recommend regular cleaning and care.
Cleaning usually has no audible effect on the frequency response of the singing bowl. Minor changes in frequency could only occur if the singing bowl was constantly cleaned over a period of 20-30 years and some of the surface was removed in the process. But even that wouldn’t really be noticeable in everyday use.
Expert tip
If you have several singing bowls, avoid stacking them inside each other. Store your singing bowls individually and preferably wrapped in a soft cloth. Especially during transport your bowl should be well protected, for example with a singing bowl bag.
