Oak Furniture Care Made Easy
When buying their first piece of oak furniture, many automatically assume that because it is made from strong, solid wood it doesn't need any maintenance. Most first time oak buyers have no idea of oak furniture care and are further confused by all the information out there. Taking proper care of your oak wood furniture doesn’t need to be a hassle and this 'oak furniture care' web page tells you how!
Follow these simple steps and your oak furniture will stay in fantastic condition:
Step 1. Be careful where you put your oak furniture. Place your furniture in a position where it won’t be exposed to extreme temperatures; in particular avoid placing right next to radiators in the winter as they will dry the wood out. Also, consider how much sunlight the furniture will be exposed to as placing a piece in direct sunlight can evaporate the oils from the wood leading to cracks. Tables can be protected by covering them with table cloths in the summer when the sun is at its strongest.
Step 2. Invest in quality furniture cleaning products for your oak wood furniture. The cheaper the product then the less active ingredient it will include, the more of it you will need to clean the wood and the more likely the wood will be damaged. Unfortunately you cannot afford to scrimp on this if you want to keep oak wood in good condition... it's best to be safe and pay the extra and avoid expensive repairs in the future. Always be careful to gently dust your oak wood in the direction of the grain using a dry, clean cloth without any grit on it, to prevent scratches occurring. Never use a wet or damp cloth as this can damage your oak.
Step 3. Regularly oil/wax the wood. If your oak has a lacquered finish then you may be able to skip this step. Always refer to the instructions included in your product packaging for what regular care is required. This should usually be done about once every 2-3 months using a natural wax polish applied to the wood along the grain using a clean cloth. Once applied, remove the wax by buffing against the grain. If you are concerned about cracks appearing in your wood, you may also occasionally apply a light, natural furniture oil in the direction of the grain to prevent the wood from splitting.
Step 4. If you have items placed on top of your oak furniture these can leave marks over time; moving them occasionally to a different position will prevent this occurring. Do not cover oak with plastic if possible as plastic can seep into the wood. Be careful about placing hot objects, such as lamps, near to the wood as well as these can warp and mark its surface.
The colour of your oak furniture will change slightly over time: oak is affected by exposure to light and this is an entirely normal part of its aging process. With extendable tables and drop-leaf tables, it is a good idea to fully extend the table regularly so that all of the oak panels are exposed to the light and remain the same colour.
Oak Colour Tone Matures Over Time, This Is Increased By Excess Light Exposure
For quality oak furniture, see some of our new stunning oak ranges including the Kensington Oak Dining Furniture Range and the Modern Oak Bedroom Furniture Range. All available for home delivery from Address72 for your utmost convenience.
Article by Rebecca, Address72 Team
