How to Care for Solid Wood Furniture: A Practical Maintenance Guide

A solid wood piece built with quality joinery and a proper finish will outlast the person who commissioned it. But "outlast" is conditional — it depends on maintenance that is neither complicated nor time-consuming, but that cannot be ignored.

Here is what we tell every client who takes delivery of a piece from our workshop.

Understand Your Finish

The single most important variable in wood furniture care is the finish type. Different finishes require completely different care regimens, and using the wrong products can damage a piece permanently.

Oil and wax finishes (our most common specification): These penetrating finishes soak into the wood rather than sitting on top of it. They look and feel like natural wood, can be repaired and refreshed easily, but are less water-resistant than film finishes and require periodic re-oiling.

Lacquer and polyurethane finishes (film finishes): These create a hard, protective surface layer. They are more water-resistant than oil finishes and require less maintenance, but cannot be easily repaired if scratched through to the wood. When a film finish fails, it usually needs to be stripped and reapplied completely.

Hardwax oil finishes (Osmo, Rubio Monocoat): A hybrid category — they penetrate like an oil but cure to a harder surface. They offer better water resistance than pure oil finishes while remaining repairable.

Daily and Weekly Care

For oil and hardwax oil finishes:

• Dust with a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth. Never use paper towels — they can scratch the surface.
• Clean spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth, then dry the surface. Water sitting on an oil-finished surface will not cause immediate damage but will raise the grain over time if repeated.
• Avoid silicone-based furniture polishes, which can interfere with future refinishing. If you want a light sheen, use a paste wax appropriate for your finish type.

For lacquer and polyurethane finishes:

• Dust with a dry or barely-damp microfibre cloth.
• Clean with a mild soap-and-water solution if needed, then dry immediately.
• Avoid ammonia-based cleaners (many glass cleaners contain ammonia) — they will cloud a lacquer finish over time.

Humidity Control

This is the most under-discussed aspect of solid wood care and the most consequential. Wood is hygroscopic — it absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air. When humidity changes seasonally, wood expands and contracts across the grain.

This movement is normal and expected. Quality furniture makers design their joinery to accommodate it. But extreme or rapid swings in humidity can cause cracking, warping, and joint failure in any piece of solid wood furniture, regardless of its quality.

We recommend maintaining interior humidity between 35% and 55% year-round. In dry winter climates, a whole-house humidifier is a worthwhile investment. Keep solid wood furniture away from heating vents, radiators, and south-facing windows with strong afternoon sun.

Re-Oiling

Oil-finished furniture needs to be re-oiled periodically to maintain its protection and appearance. The frequency depends on use: a dining table used daily may need re-oiling every six to twelve months. A console table in a low-traffic entry hall may go three to five years between treatments.

The signal that re-oiling is needed: water no longer beads on the surface, or the wood looks dry and the grain is more prominent than when the piece was new.

To re-oil, sand lightly with 320-grit paper along the grain, wipe clean, and apply a thin coat of the appropriate oil (we send every client home with a small bottle of the exact product used in our finishing process). Wipe off any excess after fifteen to twenty minutes. Allow to cure for twenty-four hours before use.

When Things Go Wrong

Water rings, heat marks, and minor scratches on oil-finished surfaces can almost always be resolved at home with light sanding and re-oiling. For lacquered surfaces, spot repairs are more difficult and may require professional refinishing.

If you have a significant issue with a piece from our workshop, contact us before attempting a repair. We would rather walk you through the right approach than have you inadvertently cause further damage.

Solid wood is remarkably forgiving. Most damage that looks permanent is not.