Care instructions for solid wood furniture

Wood Care Guide by SOLIDMADE Design Furniture

OILED SOLID WOOD SURFACES

Congratulations on your new piece of furniture from SOLIDMADE.

To properly care for the wood of your new piece of furniture, it is important that you follow the instructions below.

Wood is a natural material, which is why every piece of wooden furniture is unique. Every single piece of wood has its own special pattern. Annual rings, small knots and color shading are part of the nature of the wood and should therefore not be regarded as defects.

Because wood is a living material, it reacts during everyday use, e.g. B. the surface is affected by the light so that the color tones change over time. However, the piece of furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight. At the same time, one should remember not to leave doilies, vases or other objects in the same place for a long time, as this can cause color changes that are difficult to reverse.

Tea lights, pots or other warm objects must not be placed directly on the wooden surfaces as they can leave marks there. Therefore, always use a protective pad.

Spilled liquids should be wiped up immediately, otherwise they may penetrate the wood and leave permanent marks. At the same time, this can cause the wood to swell.

Solid wood is very sensitive to moisture and light and reacts to its environment. Depending on the room climate, the wood can release or absorb moisture. The humidity varies depending on the season and therefore affects the piece of furniture differently. So it is normal for a tabletop to expand in summer when humidity is high and contract in winter when humidity is lower. It is natural for changes in humidity to cause a solid wood panel to warp slightly. At the same time, it can happen that the joints on the table legs are wider at certain times than at others.

We recommend placing the piece of furniture in a room with a room temperature of 18 to 21 °C. A humidity of 45 to 55% is optimal. Solid wood furniture can be damaged by strongly fluctuating humidity and room temperature.

Never place the piece of furniture near heat sources such as a heater or fireplace, as this can lead to severe drying out and cracks in the wood.

Daily wood care is done with a well-wrung cloth dipped in clear water. To remove excess moisture from the surface, always wipe with a dry cloth. The use of detergents is not recommended as this may discolour the surface. However, if cleaning agents are used, it is important to wipe the surface with a clean cloth immediately afterwards.

Your new piece of furniture will be delivered with an oiled surface, which means it is ready for immediate use, but must be regularly treated with a suitable wood care product.
The first follow-up treatment is recommended after three to four weeks. After that, the piece of furniture should be treated two to three times a year, depending on the intensity of use and wear and tear.

With an oiled piece of furniture, it is important to treat both the front and the back to even out any tension in the wood. When you treat your new piece of furniture for the first time, some of the wood fibers may stand up, leaving the wood rough to the touch. In this case, sand it down lightly with a sanding sponge (grain 220).

Small scratches:
For small scratches in the piece of furniture, first sand with 180 grit sandpaper. Remember to always sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. Then lightly regrind with 220 grit.

Stains:
Red wine stains, grease stains and the like can best be removed by gently rubbing with a cleaning sponge lightly dipped in wood cleaner. Repeat this treatment several times, each time a few days apart. Then sand in the direction of the grain with 220 grit. If the stain has penetrated deeply into the wood, first sand with 180 grit sandpaper and then with 220 grit. When sanding with coarse 180 grit sandpaper, it is important to sand down a larger area to avoid indenting the wood. The abraded area can also look a little lighter after this treatment. However, this balances out after a while due to exposure to light.

Stearin:
Allow the stearin to dry and remove as much as possible with a sharp object. But be careful not to scratch the wood.
Then try to remove the stains with mineral spirits. Please note that petroleum ether is highly flammable. Ensure good ventilation and use only small amounts. Follow up as described in the Stains section.

Dents and scratches:
Most dents and scratches can be removed if the wood fibers are not broken. Brush the affected area with lukewarm water (the water expands the wood). After drying, sand with a sanding sponge (grain 220). If necessary, repeat the treatment. In the case of stronger dents, you can treat them carefully with steam. To do this, a tea towel is moistened in clean water, folded up and placed in three to four layers on the dent. Then press the tip of a hot iron onto the fabric for a few seconds at a time. The heat creates steam, which penetrates the wood and causes it to expand. Never hold the iron directly on the wood surface. Allow the area to dry and then sand lightly with a sanding sponge (220 grit).

If you have any further questions about wood care , we will be happy to provide you with personal advice.