Oak Furniture Maintainance

This time I’ll blog about how to take care the furniture that is made of oak.

For centuries, oak has been a popular material from which to construct tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture thanks to its strength, durability and beauty. However, oak does have the tendency to stain easily and can become dry and cracked if not properly maintained. Maintaining oak furniture involves protecting it from extreme temperature swings, moisture and heat, as well as preserving its structural soundness by only moving it with care.

These are the steps on how to maintain oak furniture:

1       Read the instructions for oak furniture maintenance from the manufacturer.

If you've bought a new piece of oak furniture, ask for a pamphlet with care instructions from the manufacturer or store.

2       Leave any drawers or doors open in new furniture.

This allows the smell of furniture oil to dissipate. New furniture has most likely been recently oiled before packed and shipped to your home. You need to air the wood out to minimize the odor of wood oil.

3       Move all oak furniture carefully.

No matter how strong and sturdy a piece looks, always move it with care by lifting it instead of dragging, and carefully setting it down. This will preserve the integrity of the joints.

4      Avoid placing oak furniture next to a source of heat or in direct sunlight. This can cause dryness, cracking and fading of the color.

5  Maintain oak furniture by treating it periodically with special furniture oil. Once a month is sufficient to prevent cracking and to create a moisture resistant layer with regular use, but if a piece of furniture is exposed to wear and tear daily, such as a table, chair or desk, oil it once a week. If you buy a new or used piece of oak furniture and it appears dry, oil it before use to restore the wood's sheen and protect it.

6       Avoid putting hot items such as dishes or pans directly on the wood. Instead, use place mats or table mats with felt backs.

7       Avoid putting oak furniture outside. Unless specifically designed for outside use, oak furniture should always be used inside.

8     Be careful not to expose oak to strong cleaning agents, coffee, wine, water or other liquids.

9     Wipe up any spills on the oak wood immediately to avoid staining. Use a clean cloth or paper towel.

1    Repair any dents or marks. If your piece of furniture has been marked or dented, it's sometimes possible to repair it yourself if it's solid wood or has been soap-treated. You cannot repair oak furniture that's lacquered or has been veneered.

·         To repair a mark or dent, put a damp cloth, preferably made of cotton, over the spot.

·         Place the tip of a hot iron onto the cloth so the wood rises up.

·         Once the blemish is dry, sand it down with a fine-grain sandpaper, then oil it.

That’s all about how to take care of your wood furniture.

(Source: www.wikihow.com)