How to Clean and Store a Singing Bowl

Routine care is simple

Both quartz and metal singing bowls generally need only light, regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth to stay in good condition; neither material requires frequent deep cleaning or special treatment products for normal use. Over-cleaning or using the wrong products is a more common cause of problems than ordinary dust ever is.

Caring for quartz bowls specifically

Keep a quartz bowl on its supportive ring whenever it's not being played, since setting it directly on a hard, unpadded surface risks chipping the base. When moving or carrying it, support the body of the bowl with both hands rather than lifting it by the rim alone, which concentrates pressure on the thinnest and most vulnerable part of the bowl. A soft, dry cloth is sufficient for routine dusting; avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads entirely.

Caring for metal bowls specifically

Metal bowls generally tolerate more casual handling than quartz, but they should still be dusted regularly with a soft cloth to prevent buildup. Some makers indicate their specific bowl can tolerate occasional damp cleaning, but if you do this, dry the bowl immediately and thoroughly afterward, since leaving moisture sitting on the metal can encourage tarnishing or, in some alloys, more lasting discolouration.

Looking after the striker

The striker's padded or suede-covered surface should also be kept clean and dry, since grit or debris picked up from a dirty surface can transfer to the bowl and scratch it during play. Store the striker somewhere dry and separate from anything abrasive, and check its surface periodically for wear.

Storage between uses

Give bowls some breathing space in storage rather than stacking them tightly against each other, since contact between bowls, particularly quartz ones, risks chips or scratches. If you're transporting a bowl, a padded case or wrapped cloth specifically for that purpose is worth the investment, since ordinary bags offer little protection against knocks.

What to avoid

Never play a quartz bowl that has developed a visible crack, since striking it further risks it breaking apart entirely, and a cracked quartz bowl doesn't produce a safe or reliable tone in any case. Avoid subjecting quartz bowls to sudden temperature changes — moving one from a cold car into a warm room quickly, for instance — since thermal stress can worsen existing micro-fractures in the crystal. For metal bowls, be aware that light surface ageing or patina is cosmetic and generally doesn't affect the tone significantly, so there's no need to polish it aggressively unless you specifically prefer a bright finish.