• 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 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 manufacture’s care requirements.

Wood is a beautiful and remarkable natural product that weaves itself into our daily lives and with

thoughtful care, it will provide generations of function and use.

Print Care Guide Here!