To ensure the longevity of furniture wood, finishing products based on varnish, wax, oil, or paint are essential during the manufacturing process or when renovating furniture. After all, regardless of the role a piece of wooden furniture plays, it will inevitably be exposed to all kinds of minor stresses during its use.
Whether it's bumps, friction, spills, or even scratches—furniture is part of family life and is subject to the little mishaps of everyday life.
Although post-treatment agents are very useful, it is not necessarily clear how they differ, which substances are preferable, and, above all, whether they are harmful to health or the environment.
Here is a brief guide to help you learn more about these different products.
The Paint: Enhanced and Long-Lasting Protection
Varnishes used on furniture wood are considered film-forming. This means they provide an additional protective layer. The varnish is mainly clear (though tinted varieties are available, albeit less commonly) and gives the wood a completely different appearance, which can be glossy, satin, or matte.
Along with paint, it offers the most durable protection. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, a major advantage of varnish is that it protects the wood from impacts and water. It is therefore particularly recommended for furniture located in rooms with high humidity or that is subject to heavy wear and tear during use.
Caring for a piece of painted furniture is very easy; all you need to do is dust it off with a cloth.
It is also possible to treat the piece of furniture with linseed oil once a year after you have dusted it off. The benefits of linseed oil are that it nourishes and protects the wood while also giving it a greater sheen.
Streichen: For a Change in Style
When you paint a piece of wooden furniture, it takes on a whole new look, both in terms of color and appearance. The possibilities are endless. It’s a quick and easy way to transform or redesign a piece of furniture.
Since the paint is opaque, it will cover up the wood's visible characteristics (grain, color variations, etc.).
The paint forms a film, so it leaves a layer of material on the wood. This protects the piece of furniture from everyday wear and tear, whether from water or impacts.
Caring for a painted piece of furniture is very simple: Wipe off dust with a cloth and, if necessary, clean it with soap and lukewarm water.
Wax: The Basis for Colorless Polishes
Wax is one of the most commonly used finishing products in the furniture industry. Wax is a traditional method for achieving a subtle satin finish and is particularly well-suited for antique furniture, as it helps give it a new patina. However, wax does not form a film and preserves the wood’s authentic appearance.
What does "patinating" mean?
This process involves treating wood to give it an aged and rustic appearance, imitating the effects of the passage of time by highlighting its irregularities and grain patterns.
Like varnish, wax can also be tinted to enhance the appearance of the wood. However, this use is not very common, since wax is essentially colorless.
The advantage of wax is that it penetrates the wood and preserves its elasticity, making it last longer. It is a good alternative to varnish or paint, but offers less protection than either of those.
Another advantage is its unique, pleasant scent, which fills the entire room.
Here, too, caring for a piece of waxed furniture is not complicated. First, you should dust the piece with a cloth without dampening it, and then treat it with linseed oil to restore its shine.
Oil: a subtle finish
Oil is very similar to wax and allows you to enhance the wood by preserving its natural appearance and highlighting its aesthetic qualities. The oil penetrates the wood, nourishing its entire structure and protecting its fibers. It feels soft but does not form a film. The wood does not retain a visible layer on its surface. There are various types of oil; some are colored, but the most natural ones are colorless. To apply the oil evenly, it is recommended to use a brush.
Oil protects the wood from moisture and dust and ensures that the wood develops a patina over time. Compared to the other finishing products mentioned above, it is inexpensive but also offers the least protection.
To dust an oiled piece of furniture, use a soft cloth; do not use harsh cleaning products. You can reapply oil to the furniture once a year.
Choose Natural
Which of these different wood finishes should you choose to keep your home healthy while also benefiting from the protective and aesthetic qualities of wood?
The good news is that there is a natural counterpart for every category.
When it comes to varnishes and paints, we recommend using water-based products with simple formulations; ideally, varnishes should be colorless. Manufacturers of finished products typically highlight the eco-friendly and health-conscious aspects of their products. So, if a product is labeled as VOC-free, natural, or formaldehyde-free, that’s a pretty good sign.
When it comes to oils and waxes, plant-based options guarantee that you’re getting a safe product. Flaxseed oil, for example, is commonly used, but you can also use sunflower or olive oil.
As for waxes, there are those of animal origin, such as beeswax—the best known—and those of plant origin, such as carnauba wax. Note that plant-based wax is never used in its pure form but is always mixed with other waxes (animal or mineral).
If you're wondering what kind of finish your new furniture has, you can ask the brand. At Kipli, we're transparent about this. The artisans we work with use only natural finishing products to enhance our line of home furnishings.