Natural wood gives a home warmth, texture and soul, but it also needs specific care to stay beautiful over time. These are our tips for keeping your natural wood furniture in perfect condition.
In this article
Why natural wood deserves special care
Unlike laminates or synthetic materials, natural wood is a living material. It breathes, reacts to changes in light and temperature and gradually develops a patina that tells the story of the home. Good care does not mean keeping it flawless like on day one, but helping it age well.
With a few simple habits and the right products, you can stop it drying out, staining excessively or warping. The result is tables, sideboards and headboards that feel solid, pleasant to the touch and more special over time. It is the same idea of buying less and better that we talk about in sustainable decorating.
Key idea: think of your wooden furniture like a favourite piece of clothing. If you wash it properly, hang it the right way and look after it a little, it lasts for years and you like it more and more.
Know your furniture's finish: oil, wax or varnish
Before cleaning or applying any product, it is important to know what finish the wood has. An oiled table is not cared for in the same way as a lacquered piece. If you don't remember, you can ask us in store or pay attention to the feel and the shine.
How to recognise each finish
You will notice it by: a very matt appearance · a warm texture to the touch · it marks more easily with liquids.
You will notice it by: a satin sheen · a subtle scent of wax · it copes well with dust.
You will notice it by: an even shine · a very smooth surface · greater resistance to daily use.
Pro tip
If you are not sure of the finish, always start with a very gentle clean on a hidden area. Better to use too little product than too much.
Basic care routine: from daily upkeep to yearly checks
There's no need for a complicated ritual. With a small routine, your furniture will stay clean and balanced without extra effort.
Every day or every few days
- Remove dust with a soft, dry cloth, preferably microfibre or cotton.
- Use coasters and placemats on coffee tables and dining tables.
- Avoid cleaning with very wet cloths. Too much water is one of wood's main enemies.
Every month or every quarter
- Wipe with a slightly damp, well wrung-out cloth, following the grain.
- Check edges and corners for small cracks or drier areas.
- Depending on the finish, apply a thin coat of specific oil or wax to nourish the surface.
Stains, spills and heat: how to react in time
Accidents happen. A marked glass, a glass of wine or a hot tray can leave a mark. The key is to act quickly and with the right product.
If water or a drink is spilt
- Dry immediately with a clean cloth, without rubbing hard.
- On oiled or waxed woods, then go over it with a dry cloth following the grain.
- Avoid harsh cleaners with ammonia or bleach.
Wine, coffee or food stains
- First remove the excess with kitchen paper, dabbing gently.
- Clean with a cloth only slightly dampened in lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap.
- If the mark persists, get advice before sanding or using paint strippers so you don't make the area worse.
Heat marks and white rings
- They are typical of putting very hot containers down without protection.
- They can often be reduced by applying a little very gentle heat with a cloth and a warm iron, always carefully and testing on a small area first.
- If the stain is very visible, a wood professional can polish and renew the finish.
Magazine inspiration
In many interior design projects, you will see lovely trays, table runners and stone or fibre coasters. They are not just decorative. They are the best way to protect the wood without giving up seeing it.
A set of Natural Round Coasters or a Hot Stop trivet under hot dishes prevents most rings and marks.
Sun, damp and heating: the great silent enemies
Wood contracts and expands with changes in temperature and humidity. That is why it is worth paying attention to where you place your most special pieces.
- Avoid placing furniture right against radiators or hot air vents.
- Protect areas with a lot of direct sun with curtains, blinds or solar films on the glass.
- In coastal homes or very damp ones, air the room daily and use a dehumidifier if swelling appears.
- If a wooden tabletop warps slightly, don't force it. Often it goes back into place once the environment stabilises.
Dining tables, sideboards and occasional furniture
Dining tables and coffee tables suffer the most day to day. They are the setting for meals, homework, meetings and endless coffees.
How to protect the most-used surfaces
- Use table runners, linen tablecloths or fibre trivets to protect the most heavily used areas.
- Avoid cutting directly on the wood. Always use chopping boards.
- On sideboards and console tables, place protectors under vases, lamps and objects with a metal or rough base.
- If you decorate with candles, make sure they sit on plates, trays or candle holders that catch the wax.
Outdoor furniture: how to extend its life outdoors
If you have outdoor wooden furniture, such as benches, tables or armchairs, it will be more exposed to sun and rain. Consistency matters here. It is one of the steps we recommend when getting your home ready for autumn.
Outdoor wood, step by step
- Whenever you can, place it in semi-covered areas or under pergolas.
- Use breathable covers during winter or periods of little use.
- Renew the teak oil or exterior protector once or twice a year, depending on the climate.
- Clean the surface with a soft brush and soapy water before applying the product again.
Green tip: don't be afraid of the natural change of tone in outdoor wood. That soft grey is very Mediterranean and can be beautiful when paired with good textiles and plants.
If you want to combine it with other natural materials, we give you ideas in rattan and natural fibres.
Quick checklist for looking after your natural wood furniture
- Identify the finish of each piece: oiled, waxed or varnished.
- Remove dust with a soft cloth and avoid very wet cloths.
- Protect heavily used surfaces with tablecloths, runners and coasters.
- Act quickly on stains and spills, without harsh products.
- Keep the wood away from direct heat sources and extreme sun.
- Check once or twice a year whether it needs oil, wax or a professional touch-up.
Frequently asked questions about wood care
How do you clean natural wood furniture?
Day to day, it is enough to remove dust with a soft, dry microfibre or cotton cloth. Now and then, wipe with a slightly damp, well wrung-out cloth following the grain. Avoid very wet cloths and cleaners with ammonia or bleach.
How do you remove a white ring from a wooden table?
It can often be reduced by applying very gentle heat with a cloth and a warm iron, always carefully and testing first on a small area. If the mark is very visible, it is best to have a professional polish and renew the finish.
How often should wooden furniture be oiled?
Indoors, depending on the finish, a thin coat of specific oil or wax every month or every quarter helps nourish the surface. For outdoor furniture, it is best to renew the teak oil or protector once or twice a year, depending on the climate.
Would you like to furnish your home with natural wood?
At Pino & Jacaranda we select wooden tables, sideboards and occasional furniture with a Mediterranean character and quality finishes, made to be lived with for many years.
Discover wooden furnitureAt Pino & Jacaranda we believe a good piece of wooden furniture doesn't wear out, it ages: with little care, it gains character and becomes part of the story of the home.
Because well-cared-for wood is one of those materials we like more and more as the years go by.
