How to Care for Wood Furniture

August 16th, 2016 Blog

Wood furniture is a generational investment: the dining table that’s been in the family for almost a century, the desk that passes from grandparents to children when they first move out for school, the china cabinet that gets handed down from mother to daughter over the years. Properly caring for a piece will ensure that it lasts long after you have handed it down to your children and on. That’s why we here at Woodcraft wanted to put together a few tips for people considering a new dining table, desk, or cabinet.

The First Month

After you first bring home your custom wood piece, you still have to give it time for the finish to cure. Do not use any water or solvents on the piece during this initial period, and avoid placing hot or cold objects on it (such as a coffee mug or casserole dish just out of the oven). Also during this initial period, open any drawers or doors that belong to the piece for one hour each day. Exposing the interior to air every day will allow the finish inside drawers and storage space to cure properly.

General Maintenance Tips

For everyday care, follow these useful tips:

  • To clean it, use warm water with a cloth. Once the finish has cured, the water will not damage your furniture, but do not let it soak. Afterwards, dry off any moisture still left lingering with a dry cloth.
  • You can dust the piece, and we recommend you do so frequently, with a soft, dry cloth. Follow the pattern of the grain as you do so to avoid abrasion.
  • Avoid using wax or polishes that contain silicone – modern finishes do not need these products. It’s sufficient to dust cabinets and tables, and clean them with warm water only when dirt has accumulated.
  • Keep your piece away from vents, baseboards, and radiators, as the dry heat can shrink wood and cause it to crack. Read more about preventing dryness during the winter below.

Seasonal Care

Don’t let the piece come into direct contact with sunlight, especially during the summer. Keep drapes or blinds closed throughout the day. In the summer heat, the temperature of direct sunlight can become extremely warm, and it will cook the finish. During the winter, use a humidifier to control the humidity; the ideal level of humidity is 40-45% for both furniture and people.

Refinishing Services at Woodcraft

Over time, nicks and scratches in the finish are inevitable. We don’t just build furniture at Woodcraft, we also refinish it with an unrivalled attention to detail. We can eliminate scratches and gouges, as well discolouration, in addition to mending minor problems like loose joints. Is your antique heirloom starting to look a little outdated in your contemporary home? We offer plenty of finishes that bring your antique up to date so that it stays cohesive with the rest of your home. We strip old finish by hand, not in tanks, thereby preserving joints and veneers, and keeping the wood from drying out. We pay close attention to every job – we can even preserve those storied scratches you’ve told so many stories about. While you want your furniture to stay beautiful, it’s normal for things to get damaged, and sometimes it’s just not worth erasing a good memory or a mark of family history. Just send us a picture of your piece and details about what you want, and we’ll get back to you right away with a quote.