We have already explained in detail why solid wood furniture is ideal for a healthy home and what you need to pay attention to when buying it in our article on “Furnishing with solid wood furniture”. Today we would like to show you how to properly care for furniture made of oiled solid wood so that you can enjoy it for a lifetime. Caring for oiled solid wood furniture is easier than you think.
Care tips for oiled solid wood furniture: General information on the effects of oil
How the care of solid wood furniture looks in detail depends on the condition of the surfaces. If you take a look at furniture stores or online shops, you will quickly notice that solid wood furniture is available in a wide variety of designs.At the naturloft furniture storeFor example, you can find untreated as well as lacquered, glazed or oiled furniture made of solid wood online. While natural wood requires special attention, painted alternatives are much easier to care for. The advantage of painted surfaces is that dirt and moisture cannot penetrate the wood because the pores are closed. This can definitely make sense for furniture that is subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as dining tables.
With oiled solid wood, the surface is sealed and thus protected from moisture and dirt, but the pores of the wood remain open. The wood is still able to “breathe” and contribute to the regulation of humidity in rooms. The positive thing about wood oil is that it highlights the natural structure of the wood grain and smoothes the surfaces. The color is noticeably intensified, making the entire look even more attractive. Compared to lacquered pieces of furniture, the characteristic look is completely preserved by treating with oil. The oil serves to protect the positive aspects of the natural material without altering it.
Care tips – surface sealing
Solid wood should be oiled regularly to prevent it from drying out and to increase its longevity. Sealing is particularly important for heavily used furniture such as tables to prevent stains. Good oils even protect against stubborn substances like red wine. However, liquids should be removed immediately, otherwise the wood will absorb them, leaving unsightly damage. Make sure to only use organic oil so that the valuable properties of solid wood are not destroyed by inferior products.
Here are step-by-step instructions for oiling:
1. Shake oils well before use.
2. The wood care oil is first applied evenly with kitchen paper or cotton cloths and must be allowed to take effect for 15 minutes. If some areas dry out and no longer shine during the quarter hour, apply additional oil there.
3. Using a clean cotton cloth, work the oil in along the grain and remove excess oil. Polishing seals the wood.
4. Do not use the piece of furniture for at least 24 hours after oiling.
To avoid color differences, you should always oil the entire piece of furniture and never just individual areas.
The following video explains which oils are particularly suitable for treating solid wood:
As a rule, furniture manufacturers sell organically based oils that are individually tailored to the type of wood and are also completely harmless.
Repair surfaces
Over time, use can cause small damage and contamination to the wood. With special wood sanding spongesnyou can repair the surface. To do this, first apply oil as explained above and allow it to take effect. Then take the sanding sponge and pull it evenly over the wood in the longitudinal direction of the grain. If it is already dry in places, add a little more oil to it. The wood must be completely smooth after sanding. After sanding, remove excess oil and sanding residue with clean cloths and polish. Oil again if necessary and then polish again.
Further tips for daily use
To remove dust, use a dry or moderately moistBaumwolltuchideal. Coarse sponges or microfiber cloths are not suitable for solid wood. A slight moistening is sufficient. Too much moisture should be avoided. A gentle, neutral soap can be used to gently remove stains.
In general, aggressive cleaning products such as scouring milk should not be used on solid wood. They would damage the wood. “Be warned against so-called wood care products because they often contain surface-aggressive solvents – unless the solid wood furniture manufacturer has expressly named them,” explainsthe Pro Massivholz initiativeon-line. Only use oils recommended by the furniture manufacturer.
In everyday life, solid wood furniture should also be protected from strongHeat, humidity and sharp-edged objectsbe protected. For example, it would not be advisable to place a solid wood cabinet in close proximity to an oven. The heat source can lead to an unfavorable drying out of the wood, which in turn can have shape-changing consequences. Keep this in mind when setting it up.
Because solid wood naturally expands and contracts due to its ability to absorb and release moisture, fastening materials can become loose. Therefore, tighten screws regularly to ensure they remain consistentstabilityof the piece of furniture.
In order to prevent color differences due to natural darkening, we recommend thisWohnmagazin Living at Home: “Expose the wood evenly to sunlight and never leave objects in the same place on it for too long.”
Further facts about living
Would you like to find out more about the manufacturing process and the use of individual types of wood? In addition, read our article on “Healthy living and sustainability“.
