Furniture Care Guide

Our tables and furniture are built to be as durable and easy to live with as possible. But like anything you live with and love, there’s a limit - and thoughtful furniture care is what keeps your pieces beautiful for years to come. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way in avoiding damage from everyday wear, humidity, and accidental mishaps.

This guide shares practical furniture care tips to protect wooden, leather, upholstery, and outdoor pieces, so your furniture can stay functional and beautiful for generations.

The Complete Guide to Furniture Care & Protection

Daily Furniture Cleaning & Dusting

Regular care and gentle cleaning are the foundation of long-lasting furniture:

• Dust frequently with a soft cloth or soft brush to remove dirt and debris.

• Gently wipe the area with a slightly dampened cloth - never soak.

• Use mild soap or a mild solution if needed, then rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals, oily polishes, or abrasive pads, which can damage the finish over time.

The finish on your furniture is designed as a sacrificial coat to protect the underlying wood. Treat it with care to maintain its patina and beauty.

How to Care for Wooden Furniture

Wood furniture care isn’t complicated, but consistency matters. Wood is a natural material that responds to its environment - particularly humidity, heat, and light.

• Maintain indoor humidity levels between 35% and 55%. Fluctuations can cause cracking, warping, and movement.

• Avoid placing furniture near radiators, vents, fireplaces, or direct sunlight, as these can cause bleaching or drying.

• Keep pieces out of basements, attics, or garages, where humidity can be extreme.

• Use coasters, trivets, and felt pads to protect the surface from moisture, scratches, and heat.

• Avoid dragging décor or tableware across the top; even a grain of grit can leave a scratch.

• Blot spills immediately - water left sitting can find its way through the finish.

A light coat of furniture polish or wax may help minimize minor scuffs, but avoid heavy conditioners containing oils, waxes, or silicones. These can build up and damage the finish over time.

Humidity, Heat & Moisture

Wood moves with its environment. That’s part of its beauty - and why preventative maintenance matters.

• Keep furniture away from heating and cooling sources to reduce prolonged exposure to temperature extremes.

• Use a humidifier in dry months and a dehumidifier in damp conditions to keep your furniture stable.

• Hot or cold cups usually won’t harm the finish, but hot dishes from the oven can. Always protect the finish with trivets or mats.

• If spills occur, blot rather than wipe. Rinse with a clean damp cloth if needed, then dry.

Remember, the finish is there to protect the wood, but it isn’t invincible.

Scratching & Surface Wear

Scratches are one of the most common concerns with daily furniture use - especially on high-use surfaces like custom hardwood tables.

• Avoid dragging items across the surface. Even smooth objects can pick up grit underneath.

• Use felt pads under décor, vases, and lamps to reduce wear and tear.

• Minor scuffing is normal with normal use - and it means the finish is doing its job.

• For deeper gouges, a touch-up marker and sealer (such as Mohawk Ultra Markers) can help prevent moisture from getting under the finish.

Leather Furniture Care

Leather brings warmth and timeless character - but it needs minimal care to keep it looking new:

• Wipe regularly with a clean cloth or chamois to remove dust.

• For cleaning, use a mild soap solution or a leather-safe cleaner, then dry gently.

• Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight - it can cause discoloration and cracks.

• Use a leather conditioner to maintain suppleness and protect the leather’s finish.

• Always test new products on an inconspicuous area.

Upholstery Care & Cushions

Soft seating like sofas and chairs benefits from regular care too:

• Vacuum often to remove dirt and debris and prevent accumulation.

• Spot clean using a mild solution, blot spills immediately, and avoid oversaturating the fabric.

• Keep upholstery out of direct sun to avoid fading.

• Rotate and fluff throw pillows to maintain shape and comfort.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for specific fabric finishes.

For stubborn stains or non-structural wear, a professional cleaning service may help extend the life of your upholstery.

Outdoor & Wicker Furniture

Outdoor and wicker furniture require special attention due to exposure to the elements:

• Gently wipe the area with a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt.

• Clean occasionally with mild soap and water; rinse thoroughly to avoid residue.

• Protect from prolonged exposure to rain and direct sun.

• Teak can be oiled periodically to maintain its color, or allowed to develop a natural silver patina.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals on outdoor finishes.

Chairs & Additional Care

• To prolong chair life, avoid rocking or leaning back on two legs. Most chairs have a 300 lb limit.

• Felt pads protect both the chair legs and the floor beneath.

• Finishes may vary between chair styles - always check cleaning instructions and care accordingly.

• For fabric chairs, upholstery care guidelines apply.

Why It Matters

Wood is a remarkable natural material - it breathes, responds to the environment, and grows more beautiful over time. With thoughtful care, your furniture will not only withstand normal use but become a part of your everyday life story.

• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight where possible.

• Maintain stable humidity and temperature.

• Clean gently and avoid using anything abrasive.

• Protect with coasters, felt pads, and light polish when needed.

• Remember: fluctuations are normal - your furniture is designed to handle them.

 Summary

• Humidity. 35%-55% is the humidity level that must be maintained inside the home. It will prevent excessive movement, cracking, and warping. A HUMIDIFIER is HIGHLY recommended, not only for solid wood furniture, but for health, comfort, etc. Dehumidifiers may need to be used in damp areas or areas with excessive moisture.
• Place furniture away from all heat sources. This includes radiators, heat runs, fireplaces, direct sunlight, etc. This will help prevent drying, cracking, and bleaching. If furniture must be placed near an air duct, use a shield/guard to direct the draft away from your furniture.
• Keep furniture out of basements, attics, garages, and warehouses. Often these places have excessive and imbalanced humidity and temperatures.
• Store table leaves as close to the table as possible. It is ideal that they stay in the same environment. Note: sun exposure can alter the table color versus the leaves.
• Avoid dragging objects across surfaces. Minor scuffs are to be expected with normal use. A table is a VERY high-use surface, often exposed to abrasive objects being dragged across it. An object itself could cause minor scuffs or matter such as dirt, grit, etc. stuck to the bottom. Sharp edges from chipped objects, unfinished porcelain bottoms, and so on, have the same effect, but the damage could be worse. When minor scuffing occurs, the finish is doing its job, protecting the wood but still making the surface very easy to live with. A coat of wood polish, paste, or conditioner may help prevent minor scratches in the finish and help conceal existing ones. However, the use of these is not highly recommended. If a deep gouge occurs, a touch-up marker with a sealer (Mohawk Ultra Markers) is recommended to prevent fluids from getting under the finish.
• Avoid Conditioners. Common products used to “treat” wood furniture contain waxes, oils, and silicones that can build on top of the finish and create issues such as water rings and hazing. They can contaminate the finish and attract particles that could scratch and prematurely wear the finish. A finish, especially on tables, can be seen as a sacrificial coating.
• Felt pads are recommended. These decrease the potential of the tables and chairs scratching the floor and also the tables and chairs from being scratched by rough floors. Any décor on tables and furniture should have the bottoms felted as well.
• Temperature. Hot or cold cups typically are not a concern, but excessive heat, such as dishes out from the oven, could damage the finish/wood.
• Water/Moisture. Minor spills if cleaned up in timely manner should cause no issue. Leaving puddles, a vase sitting in water, or any fluids for a prolonged time, could find a way through the finish and cause damage.
• Chemicals. The finish is chemical resistant to most cleaners, but excessive or prolonged exposure could cause damage.
• Use proper cleaning methods. A soft cloth or sponge is ideal. Most any all-purpose household cleaners, dish soap, vinegar, or water are acceptable. Avoid prolonged exposure or concentrated formulas.
• Do not clean with abrasive pads. Abrasive pads act as fine sandpaper (i.e. Magic Erasers, scrubbing Scotch pads, etc.). It can change the sheen and/or prematurely wear the finish.
• Fluctuations are normal. Designed to allow for fluctuations, the tables may need adjustments/tightening as the wood acclimates. The more ideal the environment, the less movement that occurs. We go to great lengths to only use, store, and build with wood that most closely resembles the environment of a home. This means lumber is NOT stored outside and is always kiln-dried. Our workshop/storage is climate-controlled, humidified in the winter, and dehumidified in the summer just like your home.
• Cracks in timbers are not a concern. If chosen during the selection process, a timber base by nature has cracks in it. As a result, more cracks can develop over time.
• Metal is different than wood. Due to various metal finish options, it may require more care when handling and cleaning. Not all metal finishes will have the same durability for chemicals or fluids.
• Chairs. To prolong the chair’s life and quality, avoid rocking. Most chairs have a 300lb limit. Felt pads are beneficial as they protect the floor from scratching, but also the chair’s legs from rough or uneven floors. Some chairs may have different finishes which may require different care. For fabrics, see the manufacturer’s care requirements.

Final Thoughts

A well-cared-for piece of furniture doesn’t just last - it ages gracefully. By practicing these simple furniture care tips, your furniture investment will remain sturdy, comfortable, and beautiful for many years to come.

Wood isn’t just a material. It’s a living, breathing part of your home. And with care, it will serve you - and future generations - well.