Solid wood is not fragile — it has been used for furniture for thousands of years and it will outlast most of what surrounds it. But it is a living material, and it responds to the air around it. In a British home, that air swings between damp winters and very dry, centrally-heated rooms, and those swings are what cause most of the problems people blame on “bad wood”.
Five minutes of care a year is genuinely all it takes.
The one thing that matters most: humidity
Wood expands when the air is damp and shrinks when it is dry. In a heated room in January, indoor humidity can drop below 30%, which is drier than most wood is comfortable with. Over time this causes small cracks, loose joints, and gaps between boards.
The fix is simple:
- Keep relative humidity between 40% and 60%. A cheap hygrometer costs a few pounds.
- Do not put furniture directly against a radiator or above an underfloor heating vent.
- In very dry spells, a bowl of water near (not on) the furniture, or a humidifier, helps.
- In damp spells, ventilate. Wood that stays wet for weeks is at risk of mould.
Everyday care
- Dust with a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth. Weekly is plenty.
- Never use spray polish containing silicone. It builds up a film that is very hard to remove and makes future refinishing much harder.
- Wipe spills straight away. Water left sitting on an oiled surface will leave a mark within minutes.
- Use coasters and mats for hot drinks and anything wet. A hot mug can leave a white ring that is difficult to remove.
- Lift, do not drag. Dragging loosens joints faster than anything else.
Oiling: when and how
Oiled wood (rather than lacquered) needs a thin coat of furniture oil every 6–12 months. You will know it is due when water stops beading on the surface and starts soaking in instead.
- Dust and wipe the piece clean. Let it dry completely.
- Apply a small amount of oil to a lint-free cloth — not directly to the wood.
- Rub with the grain, thinly and evenly. Thin coats are the whole trick.
- Wait 15–20 minutes, then wipe off anything still sitting on the surface.
- Leave for 8–12 hours before using it normally.
Do not oil more often than the piece needs. Over-oiling leaves a sticky surface that attracts dust.
Lacquered or varnished furniture does not need oil at all. Just clean it with a damp cloth.
Fixing the five most common marks
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| White water ring | Rub gently along the grain with a cloth and a little mayonnaise or non-gel toothpaste, then re-oil. Most rings lift easily if dealt with within a few days. |
| Heat mark | Same approach as a water ring. If it has gone deep into the wood it will need sanding back. |
| Light scratches | A walnut rubbed along the scratch often colours it enough to disappear. Deeper scratches: fine sandpaper (240 grit), then re-oil. |
| Small dents | Put a damp cloth over the dent and press with a warm iron for a few seconds. The wood swells back surprisingly well. |
| Sticky residue from tape or stickers | Lighter fluid or white spirit on a cloth, then re-oil. Test on a hidden area first. |
Moving house
Most furniture damage happens on moving day, not in daily use.
- Remove legs or unscrew what comes off. A stool that arrived flat-packed should leave flat-packed.
- Keep the fixings in a bag taped to the piece. Not in a drawer, not in a pocket.
- Wrap in blankets, not plastic. Plastic traps moisture and can mark a finish.
- Give furniture 24 hours to settle in the new house before you put anything heavy on it, especially if it has been in a cold van.
When to ask the maker
If a joint loosens, a leg works loose, or a piece develops a crack, contact the seller before attempting a repair. Most solid wood furniture can be fixed, and a good maker would rather send you a part or advise you than have you reach for wood filler.
We keep spare fixings for everything we make. If something has come loose on one of ours, tell us and we will sort it.
The two-minute annual routine
- Check the humidity in the room.
- Wipe everything down.
- Oil anything that looks dry.
- Tighten any fixings.
- Look for small problems before they become big ones.
That is the whole job. Do that and a solid wood piece will comfortably outlast the sofa, the carpet and possibly the house.