Proper Care of Finished Oak Furniture
As a hard wood for furniture making purposes, several oak varieties are very common. Among them are Green, White, Red, and Belgian oak. Oak has been used in the furniture making business for hundreds of years because it withstands the daily punishment that furniture is subject to. White Oak is especially well loved for furniture because of its extremely tight grain and natural water resistant properties.
Caring for your finished Oak furniture is pretty simple, and if done on a regular basis, will extend the life of your pieces for future generations. The following three tips will describe some common methods for the care and maintenance of finished oak products. But be aware, these methods should not be used on unfinished oak furniture. Unfinished wood requires a different set of care and maintenance practices.
Regular Dusting
The most basic and frequent practice in caring for your oak furniture is to dust on a regular basis. It is something that can be accomplished in very little time using a soft, damp cloth. Be sure to dust in the same direction as the wood's natural grain for the best job. Also, don't use a feather duster or a synthetic hand-held duster. While these devices may temporarily remove the dust from your furniture, they simply send the dust particles into the air where they can fall back down and settle on your furniture again.
Periodic Cleaning
Periodic cleaning using a mild soap is a requirement to keep oak furniture looking new. There are several brands of furniture soap that are specially formulated to clean your oak furniture without harming the wood or the finish. Just like with dusting, clean the wood with a soft cloth by applying and rubbing in the same direction of the wood's natural grain. For areas that can't be reached with your soft cloth, a soft-bristled paintbrush or toothbrush will do the job. Just be sure that you use as little cleaning solution as possible. Excess cleaning solution could seep down between joints and cause swelling and cracking.
Waxing
Oak furniture, whether treated or untreated, needs to be waxed every now and again. Be sure to use a quality furniture wax in a paste form which is robbed in and then buffed away. Avoid the temptation of cheap furniture waxes in aerosol cans, as these tend to cause a build-up which will cloud the finish. Waxing should be done every 60 to 90 days for the average piece of furniture. Over time, even with the best wax, you will notice cloudiness began to develop. When you do, this means it's time to strip off all the old wax and apply a fresh, new coat.