Caring for new cabinet furniture?

When cared for correctly by following a few very basic rules and care procedures, wooden furniture will give you a lifetime of continuous use and enjoyment.

Our solid wood furniture is made from one of nature’s most beautiful materials and each piece of wood carries its own unique features with variations in grain, pattern, colour and may even contain small natural knots and furrows in its surface. These minor imperfections are not faults in the wood but are natural features which give every piece of furniture its own individual identity and add to the enjoyment of owning a piece of furniture made from solid wood.

All wood contains water within its structure and any changes in its moisture content will affect its density, volume, shape and behaviour in your home. Wood will naturally absorb moisture if it is available, so taking a few careful steps to avoid excessive absorption will help avoid any problems with this.

Our suppliers accurately environmentally-controlled manufacturing processes ensure that when it is under manufacture that the woods moisture content is constant and stable throughout manufacture right up until the point that it leaves the factory.

This means that when it is kept under "average" household humidity levels of 35-40% it will maintain the size and dimension tolerances under which it was manufactured.

However any changes in household humidity (which also changes with ambient room temperature) which vary widely from average levels, will cause the furniture to absorb or even lose water resulting in changes in structure and shape and in very extreme cases, drawers or doors jamming or cracks appearing in surfaces.

To avoid extremes in the wood temperature and moisture content a few simple rules can be followed:

• Allow adequate room ventilation to create air movement and stabilise humidity and temperature levels.
• Avoid keeping your furniture where extreme fluctuations in temperature may occur such as in direct sunlight or close to radiators or heat sources.
• Direct sunlight can also create fluctuations in surface colour so if you are displaying items on top of furniture then it is a good idea to rotate them at regular intervals to avoid "patches" appearing on the surface.
• Direct localised heat sources from hot plates and cups should be avoided at all times - use protective covers or mats to avoid placing objects directly onto the wood.
• Mop up any spillages as soon as possible - remember wood naturally absorbs moisture so avoid exposing it if you can.
• Regularly maintain wax and oil finishes on furniture to protect wood from moisture and moisture absorption
• Avoid slamming drawers and doors as this can cause damage and splitting of the wood
• Avoid dragging your furniture when moving it. Lift it at all times from an area where the furniture is strongest. Avoid lifting directly from tops of furniture - use supporting rails or structures where possible.

Lacquered finishes: Maintenance is straightforward with the furniture requiring no more than regular cleaning with a good quality furniture polish.

Wax finishes: In general, wax finishes require a little more attention than lacquered finishes but usually no more than occasional re-waxing with specialist waxes available from most DIY stores. This is a simple task that can be undertaken with no specialist skill and we will be more than happy to advise on the best wax to match you furniture and how to apply it.

Oil Finishes: To maintain the finish of your oiled Furniture, we recommend regular treatments with Danish Oil. Since leaving the factory, your furniture may have spent some time in transport and storage and a treatment soon after you take delivery may benefit the appearance of your furniture followed by six monthly intervals should suffice though more frequent applications can be applied. Areas of heavy usage, such as table tops or tops of chests, will benefit from more frequent applications. Oiling could not be easier. Simply apply a thin coat with a soft, lint free cloth and leave for 5-10 minutes for the oil to penetrate, before removing any excess. Leave for a further 30 minutes and wipe dry. Always pay careful attention to all manufacturer’s instructions.

PLEASE NOTE : NEVER USE CHEMICALS, ABRASIVE MATERIALS OR CLEANERS ON  FURNITURE AS THESE MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE WOOD SURFACE.