10 Tips for taking care of wood furniture

Wondering how to care for wood furniture? 

Quality wood furniture can look beautiful for centuries when taken care of properly. If you're looking to protect care for your wood furniture, there are some best practices to follow.

Wood furniture is typically made from kiln-dried lumber and protected with a wood coating or sealant. These coatings are usually some form of polyurethane or acrylic topcoat and are sprayed on the wood. Alternatively, oil finishs can also be used and are typically wiped on a wood surface.

Each type of wood finish will have its own recommended cleaning and care instructions, however, there are some common practices that you should follow when cleaning and caring for wood furniture.

Here are 10 tips for caring for wood furniture so that it will last generations 

1. Use Protection

I can never stress this enough. If you really want to take care of your wooden furniture, the best thing you can do is protect the surface with things like coasters, placemats, table runners and hot plates. 

Putting anything, hot or cold directly on the surface of the table will eventually cause damage to the finish and possibly dent and scratch the finish. Taking the time to put down a placemat can drastically improve the longevity of your furniture.

1. Avoid environmental damage

Wood is considered a living material. This means that it will continue to expand and contract seasonally and based on environmental factors such as humidity, sunlight, moisture, etc. 

Avoid keeping wood furniture in areas with high humidity fluctuations. Using a dehumidifier can also help balance the humidity levels in your home. 

Placing your furniture near a large window can also cause your furniture’s finish to yellow and wear faster. Using sheer curtains can help soften the light and protect the colour and finish.

1. Use microfiber to dust often

Dusting can be a chore and no one really wants to do it but keeping your furniture dust free can help protect the finish from scratches and stains. Using a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe down your furniture often can prevent abrasive or sticky particles from damaging the surface when items are placed down. 

1. Keep your wood clean

Making sure to keep the surface of your wood clean is a good way to increase the life of your furniture. Never use all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners or products with high wax content advertised as “wood polish”. Yes, there are some great wood polishes, waxes, and butter on the market but you aren’t likely to find them at your local grocery store. These products are highly specialized and should be purchased from a specialty woodworking store like Hobby Hardware or Lee Valley. These retailers are highly experienced with wood furniture and only carry high-quality cleaning products.

If you don’t want to invest in these types of products, you can simply use warm water and a touch of dish soap on a soft damp cloth, or a natural cleaner like orange soap.

Avoid using a paper towel or other products that may leave fine scratches.

1. Use quality protective coatings

If you do happen to choose to add a layer of polish or wax to protect the surface, be sure not to use too much. Polish and wax is meant to be used sparingly and should not collect on the surface. Be sure to use a soft cloth to apply and remove the wax and use a small circular motion to avoid scratches.

1. Treat wear and tear

Small scratches and dents are inimitable but if taken care of properly and right away, can help avoid worse damages in the future. A scratch or dent might not seem too troublesome, however, in these cases, it usually damages the protective finish and can allow things like moisture to reach the wood surface. Addressing damage right away can help prevent additional damages and will keep your furniture looking new. 

Sometimes this can be achieved with wax or polish, sometimes it needs more TLC than you can manage yourself. The beauty of wood furniture is that, in most cases, it can be repaired and refinished quite easily. There are many products on the market that can help repair a damaged piece of furniture but if you’re not experienced in wood finishing, it’s likely best that you take your furniture to a professional to do the repairs.

1. Reapply wood oil to oil-finished furniture

As mentioned before, there are several types of wood finishes and each has its own best practices. Oil finishes have become increasingly popular recently thanks to YouTubers and DIY furniture makers who don’t have the space for professional spray equipment. 

In the case of an oiled finish, you should re-apply some fresh oil every season to ensure the wood doesn’t dry out and start to form cracks or warp. Common products that are finished in oil are charcuterie boards, cutting boards, butcher block countertops, and some dining tables. 

It’s best to consult with the manufacturer of the furniture to determine what type of oil was used and stick to the same brand whenever possible.

1. Re-wax as needed

Antique furniture and more traditional Mennonite furniture tend to be finished with an oil and beeswax coating. If your furniture has a wax finish, you should re-apply some fresh wax (sparingly) every 6 months to a year. 

Although wax finishes are not as common these days, the luster the particular finish creates can be a beautiful addition to a beautiful furniture piece. Even if your furniture isn’t currently waxed, you may want to try adding a wax finish yourself. Just remember that once you add wax, you can’t add any other products over it. 

It is best to avoid wax finishes on high-traffic items such as dining tables or coffee tables. Cold or hot items placed on a wax finish can cause rings in your finish that may require completely stripping the furniture to fix.

1. Don’t use the surface to write

Surprisingly, this is one of the most common ways people damage a furniture surface such as a dining table. Using writing utensils on a wooden surface can cause imprints and leave a relief of your message. Unless it’s your intention to hide a cryptic message on your table, it’s best to have some buffer between your furniture and your paper.

1. Remove tough stains

Despite your best efforts, it’s inevitable that your beautiful wood furniture gets stained. No matter what kind of mess it is, be sure to wipe it up as quickly as possible — the longer it sits, the more likely it will damage your finish.

• For white rings from wet glasses, apply a paste of equal amounts of white toothpaste and baking soda. Gently rub it into the stain until it’s gone. Then, wipe off the furniture and buff it with a soft dry cloth.
• For dark spots from water damage, try gently blotting the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
• For crayon and wax marks, apply mayonnaise over the area. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rubbing it clean with a soft damp cloth and buffing it with a dry cloth.

Taking proper care of your wood furniture isn’t hard and with a little effort, your furniture will look as beautiful as the day you got it for generations to come. 

​