How to Care for Your Finished Wood Furniture

We often have customers ask us how to care for their finished wood furniture.  They are timid and concerned about their new furniture, since most of our pieces are finished with water-based products.

Water-based stains and polys are actually very durable once they are cured.  In addition they have very low VOC’s. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound.  VOC’s are emitted as gases from certain liquids. VOC’s include a variety of chemicals and can have adverse health effects.  As part of our commitment to our environment, we greatly limit the use of products containing VOC’s. We have tried numerous products and use a line of products that provide a smooth, strong and attractive finish.

 

With any finished wood furniture, there are a few basic care tips:

  1. Never leave standing liquids on the furniture.  Even with the best finish, a liquid that is left on wood will eventually penetrate the wood and can cause warping, discoloration, or rough up the wood.  Simply wipe up any spills, and it always helps to use coasters. It is not necessary to use table clothes or pads.

  2. Most clean up requires a soft cloth dampened with water.  If you have a persistent spot, you can use a small amount of dish soap in warm water to clean.

  3. If you don’t discover a liquid or food, until after damage has occurred, you will need to do a little repair.  We recommend a light sanding or buffing with 220 grit or higher sand paper. ALWAYS sand in the direction of the grain.  Remember, you can always sand more, but you can’t un-sand wood. Once the wood is smooth again, use a foam brush and lightly apply a poly.  Again, less is more. If it’s necessary to apply more than one coat, lightly buff between coats, once the poly is dry.

With normal use and care, it should not be necessary to re-finish your finished wood furniture.  If you decide to completely re-finish a piece of furniture, please consult with a furniture-finishing expert before you start the project.  

We hope these tips help you enjoy your finished wood furniture for years.

Colorado Wood.  Colorado Made. Colorado Style.