How to care for your new furniture

Taking care of solid hardwood

You may have guessed it from our name, but here at Oak Furniture Land, we’re big fans of solid hardwood. The beautiful finish and traditional charm that high quality timbers can lend to a home is unrivalled, and we’re truly committed to bringing only the best furniture into your space.

The appeal of hardwood is that each piece is both durable and unique. Our natural and rustic oak finishes, for example, show off the character of the wood, including the knots, whorls, filling, burl patterns, and antiquing that is signature to real timbers. Our painted ranges feature both smooth and shabby-chic finishes, and we even have more exotic stained and mango wood ranges which showcase the natural beauty of hardwood.

Additionally, hardwood furniture is much easier to take care of than cheaper “budget” alternatives, such as veneers or MDF pieces. These have a tendency to chip, peel, or warp, meaning expensive repairs or unattractive looking pieces. But because our furniture is made from solid timbers, your regular furniture waxing routine is all you need to nourish the wood and protect it from everyday life, creating a long-lasting protective seal.

Don’t forget about the finishing touches too! By adding protective felt pads to the feet and bases of your new furniture, you can keep your floors scratch-free, and make it easier to redecorate your home by creating a softer surface. We have both multi-packs and large felt floor pads available, so you can cut them down exactly to the size you need.

How to use furniture wax

Furniture wax is an important part of the care process, as it helps to nourish and moisturise the wood. When timber is freshly cut, more than half its weight is water. If too much moisture remains in the wood, it can warp; too little moisture causes wood to crack. We carefully kiln-dry our timbers to the perfect humidity levels that allow them to naturally adjust in your home, and the wax let’s them retain these ideal levels over time.

Regular use of furniture wax nourishes the individual wood fibres, and also creates a protective seal. We recommend polishing your product when it first arrives in your home, and then again at three-month intervals to keep the wood looking its best.

Using furniture wax is incredibly simple. To apply the wax polish:

1. Ensure the piece is clean, dry, and free from loose particles of dirt and other solids
2. If you are using our popular furniture wax, use a soft clean cloth, brush, or sponge to apply sparingly in small areas, following the wood grain
   • To obtain a uniform colour, blend the wax evenly over the whole surface by exerting a slight degree of pressure
   • Remove excess wax as you move along the piece, again, following the grain
3. For those who prefer liquid polish, apply it to a clean cloth or sponge and gently wipe over the entire surface of the piece
   • Use a circular motion and even pressure
   • For areas of light scratching or marks, press slightly hard to allow the polish to soak in
4. Allow the wax to dry for approximately 3 minutes, or until the polish achieves a hazy finish
5. Buff to shine with a second clean, dry cloth
6. The process can be repeated if you desire extra sheen to the piece

Caring for your new mattress