When you buy quality furniture, you need to know how to care for it – that includes understanding how to clean oak furniture and properly maintain it amidst any spills and stains. With 17% of adults planning to spend either a ‘a lot’ or ‘a moderate amount’ on furniture upgrades in the next 6 months, it’s more important than ever. When it comes to oak furniture, prevention is always better than the cure.
Contents
- Cleaning
- Prevention
How to clean oak furniture
Oak is hardwood, and you should take special care to keep it clean. Despite this, not everybody knows how to clean oak furniture properly. To keep your pieces looking their best:
- Dust regularly. Allowing dust to build up can damage oak furniture, particularly in rooms where grease can also build up (kitchens and diners), so make sure this is part of your routine.
- Once dusted, use a soft, damp cloth to clean your oak furniture.
- Afterwards, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the piece again and remove any excess moisture.
- Finally, you should reapply protective layers, such as wax, as regularly as recommended by your furniture manufacturer.
How to clean old oak furniture
When dealing with old or antique oak furniture, it's crucial to exercise caution during the cleaning process. However, the fundamental guidelines remain consistent whether your oak furniture is brand new or aged. For example, when considering how to clean an oak table like a Victorian writing desk a slightly damp cloth is still the preferred method.
After gently wiping down the furniture, be sure to follow up by using a soft cloth to ensure it is thoroughly dry. As is customary, apply a thin coat of wax or oil suitable for the piece and then use a soft cloth to polish it, resulting in the finest possible finish.
Of course, accidents can happen (even after you’ve cleaned or restored your pieces). If you experience a stain or spillage on your oak furniture, here is what you should do.
How to remove stains from oak furniture
Knowing how to remove stains from oak furniture properly is vital. When something goes wrong, you need to know how to treat the stain and do it as fast as possible.
For fresh water stains, you may be able to rescue the situation by acting quickly – this could be the difference between the water seeping into the oak or not. Wipe the excess moisture with a dry cloth, then use a hairdryer on a low setting to evaporate the rest.
If the stain has settled, you will need to do a bit more work. Much like cleaning, knowing how to remove stains from oak furniture is about being careful and gentle. Depending on the situation, you should use the following:
- Vinegar mixed with water or olive oil can sometimes remove lighter stains.
- Surprisingly, mayonnaise is excellent at removing stains from oak. Leave a little on the stain for around an hour, then wipe.
- Toothpaste can be applied to a tougher stain, along with some baking soda if necessary. Leave it to sit, then wipe away.
Dealing with harsher stains
For darker stains, it might be time for a complete restorative job done by a professional. Otherwise, you might consider upcycling the oak furniture with a new paint job.
Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult – all you need to do is properly prepare the wood for sanding, sand away the marks until the surface is smooth, prime the wood and then add a couple of coats of paint. Of course, you will need to consider what colours go with your oak furniture, now it has been newly painted, but that’s all part of the fun.
If you decide to restore it to its original state and bring back the piece’s former glory, you can also remove embedded stains by stripping away the finish with sandpaper and refinishing the surface(s) with wax, stain or oil.
How to wax oak furniture
Sometimes prevention is better than the cure, hence why we recommend waxing your oak furniture. Applying wax to your furniture is a straightforward and vital procedure, especially for items exposed to moisture, like dining tables. This process not only safeguards the wood's grain but also enhances its resistance to cracking, ensuring the longevity of the finish.
It only takes a few steps:
- To begin, ensure you have the appropriate tools. We suggest using a wax brush or cloth, but be cautious about using a cloth with excessive fibres. When in doubt, refer to the instructions provided by the wax brand you've chosen.
- Prior to the wax application, make certain that the area is free of any dust or particles to ensure a smooth finish.
- Now, you might want to conduct a test application of the chosen wax on an inconspicuous part of the furniture. This allows you to practice the wax application technique and assess the finish's quality discreetly.
- During the wax application, employ a circular motion as you maintain even pressure. If you encounter areas with slight scratches or marks, apply slightly more pressure to help the polish absorb.
- Ensure that you apply the wax in the same direction as the wood grain and in thin, even coats. This approach ensures the proper drying and hardening of the wax.
- Once the wax has dried, buff up the surfaces with a clean cloth until you achieve a shiny lustre.
Why oak furniture care matters: preserving beauty and planet
When we cast our minds towards the pressing issues of landfill and deforestation, we often think about agriculture or fast fashion, but ‘fast furniture’ is also fuelling the climate emergency as global greenhouse gas emissions increase. With unimaginable amounts of waste and our money on the line, it only makes logical sense to hold on to our oak furniture for as long as possible. What better call to action to preserve these beautiful pieces could there be?
While oak furniture is inherently durable, we need to remember that it is made from a natural material, thus, we need to treat it as such. Compared to other types of wooden furniture, oak has a clearly visible grain pattern that multiplies its unique and timeless beauty. Sometimes stains and scratches can hide in the pattern, making the damage less unsightly, but I’m sure we can all agree that we’d rather have little to no staining at all.
This distinctive grain pattern is a testament to the authenticity and natural origins of oak, and it's what makes oak furniture so sought after. To maintain this beauty and honour the planet's resources, it's essential to adopt proper oak furniture care practices, ensuring longevity and sustainability. In doing so, we not only preserve the charm of our oak furniture but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious and responsible approach to consumption.
Caring for oak furniture
With that preamble out of the way, let’s get down to business. How do you care for and clean oak furniture? Well, it all starts with a good solid foundation and opting for high-quality furnishings.
Start off on the right foot with high-quality pieces
Start on the right foot by ensuring you invest in high-quality, expertly treated oak furniture to prevent warping and enhance its durability. That's why we exclusively source our oak pieces from top-notch, sustainably sourced and lacquered oak, guaranteeing that your furniture is constructed for long-lasting use. Upon the arrival of your furniture at your home, help the oak acclimatise to its new surroundings by applying a wax polish.
Storing it safely in the home
As we mentioned previously, it’s crucial to bear in mind that oak is a natural material that requires specialist care. This means we need to consider how and where it is stored in the home.
Firstly, position pieces so that they’re situated out of direct sunlight. Your room layout is crucial, especially for larger pieces of furniture, such as oak dining tables and sideboards. Too much direct sunlight can dry oak, leading to cracking and fading.
You should also place pieces where there are no heat or moisture extremes. Keep oak furniture away from radiators and ovens to prevent overheating. Likewise, do not place oak furniture in damp areas, which can cause damage and warping.
Protecting its surfaces from water and temperature damage
You should be careful not to place hot, cold or wet items directly onto oak furniture. For surfaces such as oak coffee tables, use coasters, table runners and placemats to keep the furniture safe. Once you’ve ensured that your oak furniture is protected, you should clean it regularly.
Caring for your investments
From bedside cabinets to TV units, if you take proper care with your oak furniture, it could become a cherished part of your life for generations to come. For more information and oak furniture inspiration, visit Evelyn Lily's blog today.
