Caring for your furniture and the different woods used in furniture production
When you buy a wooden piece of furniture it needs care and maintenance as it once was a natural living product that wascut down and manufactured into furniture, thus is deprived of its natural lubricants, this necessitates the need for aftercare to maintain its beauty and durability. Below is some information on the different woods used in the production of furniture and how to care for it.
Oak
The incredible popularity of oak being used in furniture production comes from the fact that it is plentiful and thereby very affordable, it is also a durable, heavy hardwood with beautiful grain. Oak is known for its prominent grain which means little spots and dings just blend in. However oak is porous so it can stain easily, especially if it does not have a modern finish like a glossy varnish. It can also become dry and cracked if not properly moisturized. To maintain oak furniture, you will need to protect it from extreme temperature swings, moisture and sun.
To care for your furniture’s shine and repel water, treat the wood with furniture oil, wax, or polish. Moisturize at least once a month to prevent cracking or more frequently (like once a week) if the furniture gets daily wear and tear. You may also want to oil a new or used piece of oak furniture that appears dry.
Teak
The rubber content and the oils present in the lumber give Teak an edge over other woods for furniture making as they make it weather resistant. It also successfully resists pests and insects, humidity, wind damage and sun damage! Unlike other types of wood, Teak is not prone to cracking and warping.Teak makes its own oil that helps resist water, mould, and weathering. It is for this reason that teak wood has been used for centuries, over other hardwoods, when durability matters. Teak is naturally waterproof, which makes teak wood unique and durable in areas where moisture is common and other materials would have a tough time surviving.
Unlike many other types of wood, teak requires little maintenance. If you are curious to find out how to clean teak furniture, the answer is quite simple. All you need is mild soap and some warm water. For more stubborn grime, feel free to use a soft scrub brush and then rinse the surface with a clean, damp cloth.
Pine
While pine is quite different than oak, it is also a good choice for furniture, depending on your purpose. It may not last quite as long as oak, but pine is still a strong, shock-resistant material suitable for furniture, particularly if you like the rustic or country.Pine is a very stiff wood. This makes it durable and strong when used in furniture. It is not quite as strong as oak, but it does still offer durability. While furniture made from pine is still moderately heavy and sturdy, it is lighter than oak.
When cleaning pine furniture, avoid using plain water and acidic products. Mix a good wood soap, such as Oil Soap, with hot water to remove most dirt and grime. Avoid silicone-based cleaners and all-purpose cleaners.
Elm
Similar to ash, being tough and fibrous, but not as flexible, with flowery patterns and straight grain, with an added fleck… perfect for chair seats, accent panels, drawer fronts etc – pale nutty brown. Elmis the timber of choice for the making of Windsor chair seats. In the case of chair makers and wheelwrights, who use elm for making the hubs of cartwheels, the attraction is the grain of elm which twists and intermingles as it grows, such that it is resistant to ’tearing’ and almost ‘grabs’ at timber that is tightly jointed and is resistance to water.
To care for Elm products, start by wiping down your wood furniture with a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. You never want water to sit on the wood, so quickly wipe it down with another dry microfiber cloth. For regular dusting, a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth will do the trick.
Ash
With its typical straight grain and beige-to-light-brown hue, ash wood is an extremely attractive option for fine furniture. It is one of the most durable varieties and has an extensive history in furniture making. It is durable, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and absorbs wood stains well.
Ash can be finished in numerous ways, including varnish, wax, lacquer and oil. Each finish will require different care. That said, you will want to keep your ash furniture in a dry area and dust it regularly. It is best to avoid commercial cleaners and polishes, which may damage the finish or make it sticky.
Rubberwood
The rubberwood used in furniture comes from the tree that produces latex. They are also called rubber trees, para wood, asian hardwood, plantation hardwood native to Brazil, these trees often grow on plantations with lots of production throughout Asia. The trees mature after about nine years. That is when the latex extraction starts, and it continues until latex production starts to slow, and dry up usually when the tree is about 25 to 30 years old.
When it is no longer useful for latex production, the tree gets harvested for other purposes, including furniture. Rubberwood is used as a solid wood, but it is also used for veneer.
Caring for rubberwood:Simply use a solution of water and soap then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. We recommend using a furniture wax to maintain your rubberwood tops, this will keep them looking their best for longer and help your tops last for years on end.
We here at The Furniture Store hope that the above information will help you to become more knowledgeable as to the woods used and the care given to your purchases of the different products when buying furniture.
Please note that there is no advice given for non-solid furniture products.
The Furniture Store has an extensive range of solid furniture in store.
Contact us at www.furniturestoresireland.com or call Tom at 0879174838. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
