Care & Feeding of Your New Furniture*
Follow these tips for a lifetime of enjoyment from your hand crafted, solid hardwood furniture.
- Treat your new furniture as you would any piece of fine artwork.
- Never sit, stand or place heavy objects on your table.
- Never use cleaning products that contain alcohol, lacquer thinner, ammonia or abrasives on wood surfaces.
- Wipe up water and other liquids with a soft cloth as soon as possible to avoid damaging the finish.
- Use coasters or other devices to protect the wood table surface from moisture occurring on glassware.
- Never place hot dishes or other items on the wood surfaces. Always use suitable insulation between the hot item and the table surface.
- Dust weekly using a dry, soft cloth and wipe with the grain of the wood.
- Clean wood surfaces using a soft cloth dampened (not wet) with a diluted, mild soapy solution. Follow with a soft cloth dampened with clear water to remove the soap residue and dry immediately.
Oil Finishes
Oiled finishes should be renewed yearly using the appropriate material. Check the label that was attached to your furniture to determine the type of oil finish applied.
- Do NOT wax oiled furniture!
- When applying oil finishes always wipe off any excess oil on the surface or it will harden and become sticky! If this should occur use mineral spirits (paint thinner) to remove the sticky build-up from the surface (read container precautions and warnings).
- Danish style oil finishes: Use a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and gum turpentine (see containers for precautions and warnings). Apply mixture to a soft cloth, and wipe onto the wood working it into the grain. Allow to penetrate for a few minutes and then buff off all remaining oil with a clean, soft cloth.
- Tung Oil finishes: Apply tung oil to a clean, soft cloth and wipe into the grain of the wood. Allow to dry for a few minutes and then buff off all remaining oil with a clean, soft cloth. You may dilute tung oil with a small quantity of gum turpentine to make it more workable.
Waterborne Finishes
- Waterborne Urethane, Varnish and Lacquer finishes are quite durable and resistant to spills. Clean with a water-dampened cloth.
- Apply a quality paste wax to protect the surface and enhance the sheen.
Dark Finishes
- When waxing dark finishes, select
a wax that has a dark base. Do not use white or light waxes as the wax
may accumulate in the deep grains of the wood and dry causing a 'chalky'
or otherwise undesirable effect.
* Always carefully read and follow the cautions, warnings and directions on all product packaging before using any of the mentioned products.