How to Care for Wood Furniture (7 Questions You May Have)

You finally got the email — your new custom coffee table is ready to bring home. However, this is your first custom furniture piece and you have some questions:

1. Do I need to use coasters?

Yes and no. If your table was finished with a product such as epoxy or polyurethane, then you’re probably pretty safe without a coaster. These are film-forming finishes that add a protective plastic-y layer over the wood. They help protect the wood from moisture but you lose the natural wood feel.  If it was finished with a product like Osmo or Rubio Monocoat, then you’ll want to reach for the coasters. These products penetrate the wood, adding protection from the inside. They are water resistant but you won’t want to leave a wet glass on the tabletop for long.

2. How do I clean it?

Often just a damp cloth will do the trick but for the tough jobs you may use a natural, mild cleaner such as AspenClean. Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia; also stay away from furniture polish.  But whatever you do, always test an inconspicuous spot first.

3. Do I need to worry about UV damage?

Yellowing can occur on lighter coloured wood if a piece is left in constant direct sunlight, so try to keep it away from those south-facing windows. Warping may occur but this is likely due to the heat from the sun.

4. Is seasonal wood movement a thing?

This depends on the internal moisture content of the wood when it was built, time of year and humidity level in the home. Most wooden furniture will shrink across the grain slightly when brought into the warm, dry climate of a home but if the piece was built with this in mind, you likely have nothing to worry about.

5. What if it gets dinged?

You could ask the builder to repair it or try to use sandpaper or wood filler yourself. Personally, I feel wooden furniture is meant to be used and the marks it accumulates over time are just more stories to tell.

6. Does the finish smell?

Your new table or bench may have a slight smell of the finish that was used. This is generally not harmful and will dissipate within a week or so. Try to ventilate your space to help this process along.

7. Can I dance on the table?

I think I’ll leave this one blank…

Overall, wood furniture does take a little more care than the typical big box stuff but like any investment, take care of it and it will be worth it in the long run.

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