Caring for your solid wood furniture

Real wood is a natural material. It breathes, darkens slightly with light and age, and moves a little with the seasons. Knots, grain changes, saw marks, nail holes and weathering are part of each piece's character, not defects. The guidance below protects that character while preventing damage.

Everyday care

Dust weekly and wipe spills right away; that is most of what wood needs.

• Dust with a soft, dry microfiber or cotton cloth, following the direction of the grain.
• Clean with a cloth dampened in water, wrung out until almost dry, then wipe dry immediately. For sticky marks, add one drop of mild dish soap to a cup of water.
• Blot spills at once, especially water, wine, coffee and oil. Don't rub, which spreads the stain.
• Avoid all-purpose sprays, bleach, ammonia, glass cleaner, silicone polishes and abrasive pads. They strip the finish or leave a film.
• Never soak the wood or use a steam cleaner on it.

Light, heat and humidity

Keep your furniture out of direct sun and away from heat, and keep indoor humidity steady at roughly 35–55%.

• Sunlight fades and darkens wood unevenly. Use curtains or blinds in strong afternoon sun, and rotate decor on tabletops now and then so no outline forms.
• Heat dries wood out. Keep pieces at least 3 feet from radiators, heating vents, fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Humidity makes wood swell in summer and shrink in winter. A humidifier in dry winter months and air conditioning or a dehumidifier in humid summers keep movement small.
• Seasonal movement is normal. Slightly sticky drawers in summer, or fine hairline cracks along the grain in winter, usually close again as the season changes. Reclaimed wood has already lived through decades of this, so it is especially stable.

Protecting surfaces

Coasters, trivets and felt pads prevent almost every mark people ask us about.

• Coasters under every glass and mug. Condensation leaves white rings.
• Trivets or thick mats under hot pots, dishes and candles. Never place anything hot directly on the wood.
• Placemats or a table runner for everyday meals, plus a protective pad under anything that could scratch, such as ceramics, laptops or decor with rough bases.
• Felt pads under lamps, vases and on the feet of chairs.
• Lift, don't drag. Always lift tables, cabinets and benches to move them, with two people for large pieces. Empty drawers and shelves first; dragging strains the joints and legs.
• Don't overload shelves, and spread heavy items toward the ends where they are supported.

Refreshing the finish and caring for other materials

Most oiled or waxed wood pieces benefit from a light wax or oil every 6–12 months, or whenever the surface looks dry or dull.

To refresh an oiled or waxed piece, clean and dry it, rub in a thin coat of furniture wax or hardwood furniture oil with a soft cloth along the grain, wait about 15 minutes, then buff off all excess. Test first on a hidden spot. Light scratches can often be blended with the same wax.

Material	How to care for it
Lacquered or painted wood	Dust and wipe with a barely damp cloth only. No oils, waxes or polish. Keep out of direct sun.
Rattan and cane	Vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Wipe with a damp cloth and let air-dry. Avoid very dry air, which makes cane brittle.
Leather	Dust and wipe with a dry cloth. Condition 2–3 times a year with a leather conditioner. Keep away from heat and sun.
Linen and fabric upholstery	Vacuum weekly. Blot spills right away and spot-clean with a mild upholstery cleaner. Have stubborn stains professionally cleaned.
Stone and glass	Wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap and water. Use coasters to avoid rings and scratches. Lift, never slide, objects on glass.

Need help?

If something looks wrong, or you're unsure how to treat a mark, contact us before trying a fix.