Every piece we make is built by hand at our shop in Joliet, Illinois, and finished to stand up to real everyday life. Our tables are strong, durable, and sturdy. They are not indestructible, though, and a few simple habits make the difference between a table that looks new for decades and one that shows wear early.
This article covers the day-to-day care of solid wood tables and furniture: what the finish can handle, how to clean it, what to avoid, and how to deal with scratches. For humidity, leather, upholstery, and chair care, see our complete Furniture Care Guide.
What Our Finish Protects Against
We coat our furniture in a durable finish that resists water, heat, food, and most common household chemicals. Most everyday spills wipe up easily without reaching the wood. Hot or cold drinks are not a concern, so you do not need coasters for everyday use.
The finish does two jobs at once. It protects the wood from staining, moisture, and the need for regular re-oiling, and it gives you a surface that is easy to keep clean and resists heat and chemicals in daily use.
What the finish cannot handle is prolonged or excessive exposure. A puddle left overnight, a vase sitting in water, or a dish straight out of the oven can find its way through. Wipe up spills when they happen and use a trivet under oven-hot cookware.
Why We Do Not Use the Hardest Finish Possible
It is easy to assume that the harder a finish is, the better it protects. In practice, a finish that is too hard becomes brittle. Solid wood expands and contracts slightly as humidity changes through the seasons, and a rigid finish cannot move with it, so it eventually cracks.
The right finish balances toughness with enough flexibility to move with the wood. That balance, combined with a little awareness from the owner, is what keeps a table looking good long term. If you want to understand more about how seasonal changes affect solid wood, read why humidity affects solid wood furniture.
Scratches Mean the Finish Is Doing Its Job
A table is one of the most heavily used surfaces in a home, and minor scuffs are a normal part of living with it. When a scratch appears, it is almost always in the finish, not the wood underneath. That is exactly what the finish is there for: it takes the wear so the wood does not.
The First 30 Days
A new finish continues to cure after your furniture arrives, and during the first 30 days it is more vulnerable to scratches and chemicals. During that period, be especially gentle: avoid sliding objects across the surface and stick to mild cleaning methods like water and a soft cloth.
How to Clean Your Table
- Use a soft cloth or sponge.
- Water with a little dish soap or vinegar works for most cleaning.
- Common household cleaners such as Windex or 409 are also safe on our finish. Avoid concentrated formulas and prolonged exposure.
- Apply the cleaner, then wipe the surface thoroughly dry so no excess moisture is left sitting on it.
- For dusting, a dry or slightly damp soft cloth is all you need.
What to Avoid
Most finish damage comes from a handful of habits:
- Dragging things across the surface. You would not drag an unglazed plate or a rough-bottomed box across the hood of your car, and the same logic applies to your table. Small particles of grit stuck underneath an object act like sandpaper. Lift items instead of sliding them.
- Abrasive pads. Magic Erasers and scrubbing pads act as a low-grit sandpaper and will dull or wear through the finish.
- Polishes and conditioners. Many products sold to "treat" wood furniture contain waxes, oils, or silicones. They build up on top of the finish, cause hazing and water rings, and attract particles that scratch the surface.
- Standing water. Never leave the table soaking wet. Water that gets through the finish causes swelling, warping, and staining.
- Excessive heat. Keep oven-hot dishes off the surface and keep furniture away from radiators, vents, and fireplaces.
- Harsh cloths. Rough rags and paper towels can leave fine scratches over time.
Natural Character: Sap and Cracks in Timber
Thicker softwood timbers, such as those used for some table bases, can occasionally release a little sap. It cleans up easily with dish detergent or mineral spirits.
If you choose a timber base, small cracks on one or more sides are normal. Timbers are cut from large solid pieces of wood that naturally check as they dry, and new cracks can develop over time. They do not affect the strength of the base, and many people see them as part of its character.
How to Touch Up Scratches and Chips
- Minor scuffs: these are normal with everyday use and usually need no treatment.
- Deeper scratches or gouges: a touch-up marker with sealer, such as Mohawk Ultra Markers, blends the mark and keeps moisture from getting under the finish.
- Chips: colored wax fill sticks work like crayons, filling the void and blending with the surrounding finish.
- Anything bigger: a furniture touch-up professional can use stains, toners, and finishes to make damage nearly invisible. Or call us, and we can advise on the best fix for your piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use coasters on my table?
No. Our finish handles hot and cold drinks without an issue. Watch for oven-hot dishes, standing water, and dragging rough-bottomed items across the surface.
Can I use furniture polish like Pledge?
We do not recommend it. Polishes and conditioners that contain waxes, oils, or silicones build up on the finish over time and can cause hazing. A soft cloth with water or a mild cleaner is all our finish needs.
What cleaners are safe on my table?
Water with dish soap or vinegar, or everyday household cleaners like Windex or 409. Wipe the surface dry afterward and avoid abrasive pads.
Is a scratch in the finish a sign the table is damaged?
Usually not. Scratches almost always sit in the protective finish rather than in the wood, which means the finish has done its job. Deeper marks can be touched up easily.
Questions About Your Furniture?
If you are not sure how to care for a specific piece, or you have a scratch or mark you want advice on, talk to the people who built it. Call us at 847-401-7753 or send us a message. If you are looking for a piece ready now, browse our showroom inventory.
