Solid oak furniture is a simple and timeless piece of furniture within any home and if cared for correctly can last decades – without looking worn and exhausted. Now we all have a little more time than normal on our hand, why not start thinking about cleaning and caring for our oak furniture?
8 Must-Follow Oak Furniture Care Tips
It is important to remember that wood will swell and slightly shrink due to the air around us, however as the air is always changing this will more than likely correct itself. However, these changes can affect the characteristics of the wood. Therefore to help ensure longevity in your solid oak furniture consider the following steps:
- Place solid oak dining tables away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating ducts.
- Position your oak table and chairs out of direct sunlight or adjust blinds to avoid hour after hour of direct sunlight.
- Try and control humidity in your home as best you can. In winter consider using a humidifier, in summer why not try a dehumidifier or air conditioner.
- Use coasters with non-scratching bottoms.
- Use padding under all sharp, hot, or cold objects.
- Store table leaves in close proximity to the table or in the same humidity, avoid storing leaves in damp basements where the leaves may swell.
- Avoid using nail polish remover, alcohol, and other solvents near or on the table.
- Ask your retailer about manufacturer-provided finishes that resist damage from harmful liquids and objects
Another great step to caring for your oak furniture is to coat it with a protective furniture wax. In order to keep your furniture looking in fine condition, you should wax it every 6 months, this may seem like a bit of a chore, but it is worth it if you like to keep value in your furniture and keep it looking fresh. Wax or polish with a high content of beeswax is ideal for treating and polishing your solid oak dining table and chairs. Waxing protects the grain and makes the wood crack-resistant, keeping any finish in the best condition. It’s a good idea to test the wax you’re going to use on a part of the furniture not in plain sight, like underneath the table, just to check you’re happy with the finish. If you’re happy, apply the wax to the rest of the piece in the same direction as the wood grain. Leave it for five minutes, then remove the wax by buffing, again following the direction of the grain. It’s a simple process that doesn’t take that long.
Cleaning Solid Oak Furniture
When cleaning solid oak furniture is extremely simple and all you will need is microfiber cloths and clear dish soap. Start by wiping down your wood furniture with a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. You never want the water to sit on the wood, so quickly wipe it down with another dry microfiber cloth. For regular dusting, a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth will do the trick. If your wood furniture has any spots with sticky residue, add a drop of dish soap to a microfiber cloth and test a tiny, out-of-sight section of the furniture to make sure the finish doesn’t get removed. If it’s fine, combine a few drops of dish soap with a cup of water and gently work on the gummy section. Avoid soaking the wood in water, and once the spot is cleaned, wipe the area dry with another microfiber cloth.