Tips for Caring for Your Wood Furniture

So you’ve bought your first piece of solid-wood furniture, congratulations! Now how do you care for it? By following a few easy guidelines, your fine wood furniture will last for many years to come.

Determine the Finish

There are two basic types of wood finishes: skinning finishes and penetrating finishes. Both finish types are intended to protect the wood, but each interacts differently with the wood fibers. You can find out what finish has been used by checking the website or spec sheet of the specific furniture in question.

Polyurethane vs. Polymerized Oil

A skinning finish (such as polyurethane) sits on top of the wood, and creates a hard coating. This waterproof finish is good for high-use furniture such as restaurant tables and counters. Alternatively, a penetrating finish, such as polymerized oil, soaks into the wood and binds with the wood fibers at a molecular level to a durable matte finish that is water-resistant. 

Sjotime Industries uses a highly-rated polymerized oil finish on most of our home furnishings. We feel this method keeps the natural look and feel of the wood, while bonding with the wood to protect it. In addition, this 0% VOC oil is made from natural ingredients that not only protect the wood but your home’s indoor environment as well.

A Little TLC Goes a Long Way

With a little preventive maintenance, your can ensure your furniture will last a long time.

• Dust regularly with a dry or slightly dampened soft cotton or microfiber cloth, to remove dirt particles.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
• To prevent scratches, use felt pads on the bottom of heavy objects that may be sitting on the wood surface.
• For deeper cleaning, always use a product recommended by the finish or furniture manufacturer. The wrong cleaning product may damage the finish, causing more harm than good.
• Keep furniture away from direct sunlight and heating vents, which can fade and dry out the wood.

Repairing Water Damage or Stains on Wood Furniture

There may come a time when your furniture needs a deep clean, or has some stains or scratches that need attention. This is where it’s important to know the finish type, and always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best results. 

For instance, if the furniture has a polyurethane finish, and has water damage or scratches, it may require removing the entire finish, repairing the damage, and re-finishing, which can be time-consuming and costly.

For furniture with a polymerized oil finish, repairing scratches or stains can usually be done relatively easily and inexpensively, with products designed to work in tandem with the oil finish. Sjotime Industries recommends several cleaning and repair products that work nicely with our polymerized oil finishes. 

Following these easy maintenance tips will help ensure your beautiful wood furniture will stand the test of time. 

Sjotime Industries is a Denver-based furniture design company, whose products are built to last generations. For more information, and to view their furniture collections, please visit www.sjotime.com.