Caring for oak furniture

How to care for your oak furniture so that it keeps it's good looks!

Although oak is highly durable, it does require routine maintenance and care. Caring for oak furniture preserves the elegance of this unique hardwood.

To clean oak furniture and replenish the wood, use inexpensive furniture polish wipes with pre-moistened lemon scent that leaves behind a bright shine. Choose a product that cleans, polishes, and protects oak furniture, cabinets, and wood panelling.
 
Central heating is not very favourable for oak wood and can cause it to dry and crack. If oak furniture cracks on the surface, it is probably finished with shellac the main ingredient in old polish. You can revive the oak furniture by brushing wood alcohol thinner over the surface.

Wood changes shape when exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. This causes the wood to swell, shrink, lose its colour, or warp. Be careful moving furniture, dragging the pieces across the floor will cause damage to the joints.

Extra leaves for oak tables should be kept upright in a dry, cool environment to prevent warping. Storing leaves flat on the floor is not ideal and causes the wood to bow. Wood furniture should be stored under a waterproof jacket of tarpaulin in a garage or storage unit that is moisture-free and climate controlled.

Caring for untreated oak furniture is as simple as wiping it down with Danish oil and a soft cotton cloth. Danish oil is an excellent lubricant that helps in preserving oak wood and also helps the oak wood retain its’ lustre. Oak furniture grows more beautiful with time and enhances the feel and look of the home.

There are a variety of products to help you care for fine oak furniture. You can purchase furniture touch up kits. Each kit contains markers of different shades to restore colour of light, medium, and dark coloured wood. This product restores worn edges using special dyes for fast and easy repair. Reapply to darken if needed to match the finish. 
 
Your oak furniture is going to need waxing every couple of months. Waxing helps, the wood grain resist cracking and keeps your oak finish looking like new. You want to apply the wax with a clean cloth in the same direction as the grain and remove the wax by buffing. Waxing helps protect oak furniture from nicks, marks, and scratches. 

To get rid of wax build up, take the oak furniture outside and wipe down with mineral spirits. After the mineral spirits dries, use Murphy’s soap to clean the wood. If someone places a glass on your oak furniture and leaves a ring, try putting butter on the mark. After leaving it overnight, wipe away the butter and polish the wood. The watermark should have disappeared. 

Solid oak furniture can last a lifetime with the proper care. With only minimal time and effort, caring for oak furniture keeps your investment in prime condition.