Oak Furniture – Care Guide

Oak has been used to make beautiful furniture for centuries. Oak is a hardwood, which means it has a higher density, making it strong and durable. Your oak furniture will last forever if you follow some simple maintenance steps.

The following is a quick and easy guide on how to best care for your oak furniture.

How to Properly Care for Oak Furniture

The first step is to buy good quality oak furniture. Make sure that it is kiln dried if you will be using it inside, the lower moisture content in kiln dried furniture will suit the humidity inside your house. Immediately after bringing the new furniture into your home you will need to treat it with a wax polish.

Cleaning Oak Furniture

If you have been diligent in applying wax to your oak furniture, cleaning it will be a breeze.

The wax provides protection from dirt and debris so all you will need to do is wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth.

If you prefer to use a cleaning product, make sure you use one specifically created for hardwood products.

If you accidentally spill something on your oak furniture, use a damp cloth to blot the spill immediately.

If you don’t notice the spill and the stain has set into your hardwood you may have to contact a professional furniture restorer to help you out.

Waxing Oak Furniture

Begin by testing your wax on a small hidden area of your furniture like the bottom of a chair seat.

After the wax dries, check to ensure you are happy with the look the wax provides. If you are satisfied, you can go ahead and apply the wax to all parts of your furniture.

Apply the wax in the same direction as the wood grain.

After allowing the wax to sit for about five minutes you will want to remove the excess wax by buffing. It may sound tedious, but it really doesn’t take very long, and it will be worth the effort.

Continue to regularly wax your oak furniture for the next six months. This will help to form a durable seal on your furniture and ensure that your beautiful furniture lasts a lifetime.

Waxing your furniture is necessary to protect the grain of the wood, make your furniture crack resistant, and after waxing, the finish on the furniture looks even more beautiful.

Environmental Factors

Kiln dried hardwood furniture is meant to be placed indoors. This wood will not last in extreme cold or heat. Even air conditioning, direct sunlight or the heat from a radiator can cause your oak furniture to fade, dry out and lose some of its beauty.

Take some time to consider where you will place your oak furniture. If you place your furniture in the right places in your home (away from sources of heat and direct sunlight), leaving a small gap of about 25mm between the wall and the back of the furniture you will find that your oak furniture will maintain its beauty indefinitely.

The simple trick of leaving a space between the wall and the furniture is crucial, as it allows air to flow through which keeps the temperature of your furniture more consistent. Remember, hardwood furniture can scratch up your wooden floors so be sure to place small pieces of felt under the bottom of your furniture to protect both your floors and the furniture.

Don’t bring your oak furniture outside. If you are looking for hardwood furniture for your garden or patio, make sure you purchase hardwood furniture that has been specifically designed for the outdoors.

It may surprise you to know that if you take care of it properly, oak furniture actually gets more beautiful as it ages and develops a lovely patina. The furniture in your home will hold so many memories throughout the years.

Family dinners and game nights at your beautiful oak table, sideboards and cabinets that hold your children’s artwork and precious china.

Your oak furniture will age right alongside you, and remain a fundamental part of your home forever. You will never regret choosing the best oak furniture and taking the time to maintain and care for it.