Solid Wood Furniture Options & Care Tips

Quality wood furnishings are an investment that you expect to last a life time. To maintain its natural beauty and protect your investment, wood furniture needs the right care.

Wood furniture is coated with a plasticized film more commonly referred to as a finish. The finish seals and protects the wood from moisture, dirt and regular use as well as enriching the wood grain and adding lustre to solid wood furniture. Wood finishes are diverse and vary from simple nitrocellulose lacquers to more complex polyester resins. All modern wood furniture finishes are long lasting and provide the protection your furniture needs.

Wood expands and contracts with the variations in temperature and humidity. Expect each piece of solid wood furniture to react differently depending on the type or species of wood used. Laminated woods and veneers are more stable than solid wood planks.

Solid Wood Furniture Care Tips

1. Use a soft lint-free cloth to gently dust your furniture.
2. Use a clean, very slightly damp cloth to remove finger marks. The use of detergents is not recommended.
3. Silicon or spray polishes are not recommended as they may leave a residue on the surface of your furniture which affects its appearance.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and only use the products that they recommend.
5. Cleaning your wood furniture regularly will help to retain the value and appearance of your fine furniture. Dusting and cleaning removes the build up of grease, lint and dust that can get ground into or soften the finish.
6. Cleaning your furniture should be done with a soft lint free cotton cloth dampened with water or furniture polish following the pattern of the grain. Cleaning your furniture with a dry rag can cause scratches to the finish. Use a light touch and rotate your cleaning cloth frequently.
7. Follow by using a quality furniture polish to protect the cleaned surface as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Furniture dealers can recommend the most suitable products for your quality furniture item.
8. Wood furniture with a lacquered easy care finish only requires daily dusting and the occasional wipe over with a clean, damp cloth followed by a dry duster to keep it looking good.
9. Use good quality natural beeswax and polish if your wood furniture has a waxed finish, along the grain every 3 months. Use a clean duster to buff up and retain the natural beauty of your waxed wooden furniture.
10. For wooden furniture with an oiled finish you will need to feed it with linseed oil every 3 to 4 months. Make sure you dispose of the cloths used safely.
11. Wooden furniture is not water, chemical proof or heat resistant. Do not put hot dishes or cups on to any table top or cabinet. Always use an insulated mat for protection. Also it is not recommended to use a protective cover containing rubber derivatives as it may react with the top coat finish.