Buying natural wood furniture isn’t just a positive step toward better respecting nature—it’s also good for your health. Indoor pollution, particularly that caused by the chemical treatments used on most furniture, is a cause for concern. Major health organizations are paying increasing attention to this issue. We’ve written an article on indoor pollutionif you’d like to learn more. All wooden furniture requires special care to maximize its lifespan and maintain its aesthetic appeal. It’s best to opt for natural products that are just as effective as synthetic ones, with the significant advantage of not polluting your indoor environment. In this article, we’ll share some tips for caring for your wooden furniture and ensuring it lasts as long as possible.
Why is it important to protect wood naturally?
Wood is a noble material whose primary quality is its exceptional durability. Wood is a living material, and it ages quite slowly—provided it is properly cared for. It is considered environmentally friendly because processing it requires less energy than traditional materials. Furthermore, it has a low carbon footprint. Wood is also a renewable resource. The PEFC certification — as is the case with the solid wood we use for our furniture Kipli —guarantees its traceability. This means that the wood used comes from sustainably managed forests. Trees are planted to replace those that have been cut down. As a result, the wood supply remains inexhaustible.
Wood is therefore a worthwhile investment. It is entirely natural, provided it is treated and maintained with safe products. It does not emit VOCs. To preserve its natural and eco-friendly qualities, it is recommended to maintain it with products that have similar properties. For scratches, impacts, and spills, there are quick and accessible solutions to address these everyday mishaps.
Which natural products are best for which types of furniture?
The Basic Rules
Depending on the type of wood, panel, and finish, furniture maintenance may vary (See articles on types of finishes)
However, there are a few key steps to follow to get off to a good start, beginning with dusting the furniture before a more thorough cleaning. It couldn’t be simpler: use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth and start dusting from the top, working your way down to the base of the furniture. Be careful with the products you use; avoid products that are too harsh or abrasive. Any product used should be applied to the soft cloth, not directly to the wood. This allows for better control of the amount used and helps prevent any stains.
One final step in caring for your furniture is to follow the grain of the wood. In other words, don’t wipe back and forth; instead, follow the natural lines of the wood. Finally, you’ll need to determine whether the wood has been painted or varnished, as this adds an extra layer to the surface. And the care routine may differ from that for waxed or oiled wood, for example.
Natural Products to Choose
Before using any product—even a natural one—we recommend testing it on an inconspicuous area of the furniture to ensure that the wood reacts well to it. Normally, all the products listed below are safe for your wooden furniture. Nevertheless, it is prudent to test them before use.
- Soap, white vinegar, brewed tea
Among the most basic, natural, and easy-to-find products are black soap and Marseille soap. These soaps are suitable for all types of wood and do not damage the material in any way. Using soapy water couldn’t be simpler: just dampen a cotton pad with a mixture of warm water and soap, and gently wipe it over the stain you want to remove. Then, rinse with another damp cloth without any soap.
Another very common and economical product is white vinegar. For this use, dilute the equivalent of 3 teaspoons of white vinegar in about 250 ml of water. Then simply dampen a cloth with this mixture (it should not be soaked). It’s best to gently wipe the wood in the direction of the grain using circular motions. Finally,cold tea infusion can also be used to clean soiled furniture. Boil ½ liter of water, then add two bags of regular black tea and let them steep for a few minutes. To clean, follow the same procedure as for the previous two methods: dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and apply it gradually to the furniture in the direction of the grain. Wipe the solution off thoroughly with a dry cloth.
⚠ Be careful not to leave the wood in contact with water for too long, as this can damage it. Always wipe up spills with a dry cloth. The tips above do not apply to waxed furniture, which should not be exposed to water.
- Linseed Oil: Tocomplete the care of your wooden furniture, you can apply linseed oil to the pieces—except for those made of varnished, painted, or teak wood. Linseed oil protects the wood from moisture, fungi, insects, and UV rays. It gives the wood a satin finish. However, it can darken very light-colored wood. Do not use it too often if you want to preserve the light color of your furniture. Apply the oil with a brush. To thin it, you can mix it with turpentine, a natural solvent derived from pine resin.
- Waxed Wood Furniture: Avoid using water to clean waxed furniture. It is recommended that you first apply maintenance oil or use it to remove a stain. Water-based solutions should be used only as a last resort, as they may leave marks on the wood.A wool cloth or a cork can also be used to remove a stain from waxed furniture. Please note that for any valuable antique furniture, we suggest consulting a professional before using any products, even natural ones. Similarly, if you have any doubts about a piece of furniture you’ve recently purchased, you can ask the brand for advice; they’ll be able to guide you.