How to Care for Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture is made to be lived with, and with a little care it only gets better with age. Wood is a natural material, so no two pieces are ever the same. The grain, colour and knots are all part of its character. Here's how we recommend looking after yours.

Everyday care

• Dust little and often with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, working with the grain.
• Wipe up spills straight away. Blot rather than rub, then dry the area with a clean cloth.
• For a deeper clean, use a cloth that's barely damp with water, then dry it off straight away. Never leave water sitting on the surface.
• Skip silicone sprays and wax polishes unless the care instructions for your piece recommend them. They can leave a build-up that's hard to remove.

Always use mats or coasters under hot dishes, mugs and plant pots. Heat and water rings are the most common marks on wooden tables.

Know your finish

Lacquered and sealed wood

Most of our wooden dining and cabinet furniture has a protective lacquer. A dry or slightly damp cloth is all it needs. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scourers, which can dull the surface.

Oiled wood

Oiled furniture has a softer, more natural feel and benefits from a fresh coat of oil from time to time, especially on tables that get a lot of use. Use the oil recommended by the manufacturer and follow their instructions.

Veneered wood

Veneer is a thin layer of real wood over a stable core, so treat it just like solid wood. Be extra careful with moisture around edges and corners.

Painted furniture

Wipe painted pieces with a soft, damp cloth and dry them straight away. Harsh cleaners can strip or dull paint, so keep things gentle.

Reclaimed wood

Reclaimed timber is full of history: knots, nail holes and colour changes are part of the charm. Dust regularly and treat it like any other sealed wood.

Sunlight, heat and humidity

Wood reacts to its surroundings. It naturally expands and contracts slightly as temperature and humidity change. This is completely normal and not a fault, but you can keep it to a minimum:

• Keep furniture away from radiators, fires, air-conditioning units and steam.
• Leave a small gap behind wardrobes, sideboards and wall units so air can circulate.
• Protect pieces from strong or prolonged sunlight. Real wood mellows and changes colour in the light, so move ornaments and lamps around now and then, and open out table leaves occasionally, so the colour stays even.

Protecting against knocks and scratches

• Lift furniture when you move it. Never drag or push it.
• Don't rock back on dining chairs, as it strains the joints.
• Use felt pads under ornaments and lamps, and don't slide crockery across the surface.
• Writing on paper placed directly on a table can leave pen marks in the surface, so use a mat or a notepad.
• Uneven floors can make doors look out of line. Adjusting the hinges or packing a corner usually solves it.

For deeper scratches on wooden furniture, a professional furniture polisher gives the best results. Our team can advise.

Still not sure?

Every piece we sell comes with its own care instructions, so check those first. If you have a question about a particular piece or finish, our team is always happy to help. Email customersupport@woods-furniture.co.uk, contact us or pop into one of our showrooms.