Our Ultimate Guide to Caring For Your Wooden Table

Wooden furniture has been a design staple in a lot of kiwi's homes. Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often passed down through multiple generations.

That said, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for.

Leave an ice-cold drink on it, and you'll be staring at ring marks for all of eternity, put it too close to a heater, and it could warp, let dust pile up, and you could potentially scratch the wooden finish. 

They say that "a smart person learns from his mistakes, but a truly wise person learns from the mistakes of others."

So here's a list of the most common ways people end up ruining their beautiful wooden furniture - so you don't have to!

1. Not using coasters, placemats, or table cloths!

Always have something to protect your table from accidental spills. You can use placemats for your daily dining use, coasters for your hot/cold drinks. Opt for a tablecloth when you have a large group over for dinner. 

Note: Avoid plastic placemats if you can, as they can still trap water underneath them from the condensations.

But if you enjoy looking at water rings or scorched finishing on your wooden table, feel free to ignore this advice.

2. Dust your wood table often

Yes, small dust particles seem pretty harmless, but the build-up can end up scratching your wood finish over time. So it's better to be safe than sorry.

Use a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove any dust, crumbs, or grime that may have built up. Avoid using specialized dust polish as it could soak into the wooden finish and damage it permanently.

3. Protect your wood

You can purchase commercial polishes that contain petroleum distillates or silicone oil to keep your wood fresh and shiny.

Be sure not to use too much because it can cause a buildup that leaves you with a sticky surface on your wood. No pun intended.

Always be sure to buff well if you're using products to help avoid this buildup.

5. Avoid heat sources

The heat from a radiator, heater, or fireplace could cause your furniture to warp. Consider how close the nearest heat source will be to the table when deciding where to place your furniture. 

6. Wearing chunky jewelry or oversize watches.

This advice isn't only for the ladies with their jewelry and bangles - guys nowadays enjoy fashioning huge metal watches; the bigger they are, the better. Right?

All we're trying to say here is that the metal accessories can seriously scratch your wooden furniture. If you can't avoid it, be sure to refer to point #1 to prevent unnecessary damages to your wooden piece.

7. Avoid direct sunlight exposure and other environmental factors

Your dining table must be positioned out of direct sunlight. Sunlight exposure to your wooden piece can cause discolouration. Severe exposure can also cause the wood to split and crack.

In general, wooden materials are highly vulnerable to moisture, dryness, and other extreme settings. So make sure to pick a place with a consistent temperature.

Wrapping up 

Congratulations! You now know enough to make sure your wooden furniture will last a lifetime.

We hope this article brought you some value in any way, and if you ever need more advice or chat, don't hesitate to get in touch with us through our contact form below.

Or feel free to post your question on our Facebook community page; we strive to help our customers make the best choice for furniture shopping and furniture care.