Maintaining Wooden Furniture

Wood is a living, noble material that adds a warm, authentic touch to your home. It is essential to know how to look after your wooden furniture so that it retains its shine and beauty over time. However, maintenance varies depending on whether your furniture is made from varnished wood or untreated wood. Follow our advice to save time and money and preserve the elegance of your furniture.

For regular maintenance

With unfinished wood

Nothing could be easier! Simply wipe your furniture with a microfibre cloth to remove dust and other deposits that could clog it up.

For more advanced (annual) maintenance, you can clean it by scrubbing the surface with a brush soaked in black soap diluted in hot water (wring out the brush well before use).

To remove a stain :

For an ingrained grease stain, Terre de Sommières is your best weapon!

• Sprinkle it on the stain
• Leave for 2 to 3 hours
• Gently dab with a dry cloth and vacuum up the powder.

For another kind of stain

• Rub it gently with a dry stainless steel sponge.
• You can also use sandpaper to gently sand the wood, but always in the direction of the grain to avoid damaging it. 

Warning: Never use liquids to clean your unfinished furniture, as without protection, the wood will absorb the liquid and leave a whitish stain, including water and other abrasive products.

Unfinished wooden furniture has not been varnished, painted, waxed or oiled. Keeping the wood natural gives it a beautiful appearance, but it is not protected against external risks (marks, stains, dust), which is why cleaning this type of furniture is restrictive because a piece of furniture in untreated wood is more vulnerable.

With varnished wood

For effective cleaning, use a slightly damp sponge, then wipe immediately with a soft, dry cloth to avoid any traces of moisture. It's important not to rub too hard; instead, use gentle strokes or dab the surface lightly.

There's no need to buy expensive special products; a little washing-up liquid diluted with water is all that's needed if the furniture is particularly dirty. Be careful, however, to wring out your sponge well to avoid any water infiltration that could damage the varnish.

Warning: Never use abrasive sponges to clean your varnished wooden furniture, as they may scratch the varnish. Also, do not use abrasive products such as bleach or acid.

To remove an impact

You only need 3 tools: an iron, a cloth or paper towel and water.

Steps to follow:

• Dampen your cloth or paper towel
• Place your cloth or paper towel over the impact
• With your iron on maximum heat, pass over your tea towel or paper towel. Alternate circular and back and forth strokes.
• If necessary, repeat the 3 steps above each time your tea towel or paper towel becomes dry, until the impact has disappeared.

Precautions to take to preserve your wooden furniture

• Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight (blinds and curtains can be used to filter the sun's rays): over time, too much light on your wooden furniture can darken pale species and discolour dark ones. It can also discolour your varnish, stain or paint.
• Protect your furniture from humidity: excessive variations in humidity can cause cracking, splitting or mould. Avoid placing your furniture near sources of moisture or heat, such as radiators, to preserve its structural integrity.
• Beware of water accidents: spilling water on wooden furniture can leave whitish stains that are difficult to remove. Wipe off any traces of damp immediately to avoid this.

How to move your wooden furniture

Solid wood furniture should be moved with care to avoid damage. Here are a few tips:

• Unload your furniture before moving it: empty drawers, remove shelves and doors if possible to lighten the weight.
• Lift furniture by its legs or waist rather than by the top to avoid weakening it.
• Never drag furniture across the floor: this can damage the legs and scratch your floor. It's better to lift it, even if it requires a little more effort.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your solid wood furniture has a long life, while maintaining its beauty and elegance every day. Whether varnished or untreated, regular and appropriate maintenance will enable you to enjoy these unique and timeless pieces to the full, adding real value to your home.