How To: Care for Wood Furniture
It is important to care for wood furniture so its even colour and smooth surface is preserved. It goes without saying that regular dusting, occasional polishing, and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight are essential aspects of wood furniture care.
This guide reveals where to best position your wood furniture in the home and how to maintain and care for timber furniture.
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Where to position wood furniture in the home
The timber used to construct wooden furniture is derived from once-living trees. As a result, this natural material continues to react to climate conditions and remains porous once shaped into furniture. Accordingly, care must be taken when positioning wood furniture in your home as it is sensitive to temperature and sunlight.
Position wood furniture away from heating + cooling
Heating and cooling outlets and appliances rapidly alter the humidity and temperature of a room. Timber furniture situated near ducts or heating panels can expand or contract.
As a result, problems can arise from the movement of timber joins, the de-lamination of table surfaces, as well as the breakdown of glues and finishes. Avoid positioning your furniture near ducts and heating panels.
Position wood furniture out of direct sunlight
Direct sunlight can do enormous permanent damage to your wood furniture. Sunlight causes rapid changes in temperature causing timber to lose moisture.
Sunlight can also bleach the timber of its existing colour and breakdown lacquer and shellac finishes. Avoid positioning your furniture in direct sunlight. In normal daylight, timber stains tend to mellow and deepen with time.
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Helpful tips to maintain timber furniture
Dusting and intermittent polishing are vital to keep your wood furniture looking its best. Here are 8 essential tips to ensure the surface of your timber furniture is maintained effectively.
1. Do not use chemical products containing silicon ingredients on timber furniture.
2. Do not leave plastic tablecloths on table surfaces as they may damage the lacquer.
3. Dust your timber furniture with a dry cloth or dust remover.
4. Do not put hot surfaces in direct contact with wooden surfaces.
5. Always use a table mat or coaster.
6. Once a year, polish your wood furniture using soft beeswax or recommended furniture polish.
7. No waxing is required to maintain wood furniture with a satin lacquer as it is already sealed to protect the finish.
8. When moving your furniture, always lift do not drag it along the ground.
Important note!
Whilst table mats and coasters will protect the table from hot plates and cups, we strongly recommend caution with hot items. Hot items placed directly from an oven or microwave should not be left on a coaster or mat for longer than 3 to 4 minutes.
Excessive heat from hot tableware may, through condensation, penetrate the table protector and damage the lacquered surface of the table.
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How to care for gloss lacquers on wood
High-gloss lacquer finishes coated onto wood are sensitive to scratches and similar aggressions. Cleaning must be performed with a diluted liquid of glass cleaning product, applied without rubbing. If rubbed with an abrasive cloth, the scratches will not disappear, but may be worsened.
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How to protect teak furniture
Teak is a unique wood that is very durable, so it is particularly suitable for outdoor furniture. Teak wood is highly weather resistant due to the structure of the timber and the natural oils it contains.
When left continuously outside, exposed to humidity and rain, teak furniture may discolour unevenly leading to the formation of silver grey patina on its surface. This process is called the ‘oxidation of teak’. Rest assured, the underlying structure of the wood still remains absolutely intact, even after many years of exposure to inclement weather.
To avoid the oxidation of teak, the timber can be periodically oiled with a premium teak oil to protect it. But this kind of care is only possible when the teak is not combined with other materials.
For normal cleaning, use a soft cloth (not micro fibre) soaked with water to care for the timber. Do not use any solvents or acid-based chemicals.
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DOMO warranty notes:
Some timber furniture items may be available with an additional glass table top at an extra cost. Glass tabletops are not covered by DOMO’s warranty. Please familiarise yourself with this care guide to fully understand how to care for and maintain wood furniture.
>> View the full DOMO warranty here
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Bookmark this! The ultimate furniture care guide!
Want quick access to care guides for all indoor and outdoor furniture? Bookmark or favourite our vital care guides now, you may need them later. You’ll find all the tips to maintain and clean your indoor and outdoor furniture.
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Visit DOMO for designer wood furniture ideas
Wood furniture has a natural warmth, versatility and durability that suits living, dining and bedroom settings. Timber furniture transcends trends and DOMO’s design experts are ready to help with timber décor selection and styling within your home. Shop across France’s Ligne Roset, Denmark’s Sika Design and more.
DOMO Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane stock designer wood tables, side tables, bedside tables, benches, chairs and more. For more information regarding how to select and maintain designer wood furniture, please contact your closest DOMO showroom and speak to one of our design experts.
