LD SHOPPE Wood Furniture Care Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- LD SHOPPE
Table of Contents
Wood Furniture Care
INFORMATION PACKAGE
Oak Wood
ABOUT OAK WOOD
The use of oak wood in the home and furniture has a long history in North
America and remains a popular choice to this day. With over 60 varieties of
oak, there are a number of different colors available. The common trait among
these varieties is the distinct grain pattern in the wood. It is very durable,
easy to work with, and a naturally beautiful material to bring to your home.
REGULAR CARE
Most oak furniture will be produced with a protective layer on the wood. For
everyday cleaning, you can simply wipe the surface down with a clean, damp
cloth or use cleaning
products specifically designed for hardwood. For concentrated spills that may
stain, blot the liquid immediately with a clean, soft, and slightly damp
cloth.
THOROUGH CARE
In the case of discoloration, or stubborn stains, or to remove a superficial
scratch, you can try sanding the entire surface first. Once you’ve sanded, make
sure the piece is clean and dry before applying a hard wax oil, or other like
products. When using this type of product, be sure to spread it evenly over
the full surface and remove any excess product to avoid spots after drying. If
you discover a set-in stain that you missed before, it’s best to seek out a
professional furniture restorer for their services.
REFRESHING THE SURFACE
Coating your oak furniture with protective furniture wax is a great way to
care for your pieces. In order to keep your furniture looking its best, we
recommend waxing or polishing every 6 months. We prefer to wax or polish with
a high content of beeswax for treating your solid oak furniture as this will
protect the grain and make the wood more resistant to cracks and wear over
time.
MORE INFORMATION
Oak prefers to be kept in conditions that are moderate in both temperature and
humidity. If kept in more extreme conditions, such as highly air-conditioned
rooms, conservatories, or near a radiator, we recommend you regularly check
on how the pieces are wearing and whether they are drying out or not. It is
recommended that you keep a small gap between the wall and the back of your
furniture to let air flow through, which keeps the temperature more stable and
prolongs the life of your oak. Lastly, unless your furniture has been designed
for outdoor use, we recommend you do not leave oak pieces outside.
Mango Wood
ABOUT MANGO WOOD
While many people will know mango trees for their sweet fruit, the interior
design industry adores them for providing one of the best sustainable
materials for furniture. The color variety in mango wood ranges from light to
dark browns, golden brown, yellow, black, and pink, and is often beautifully
grained. Though it is extremely hard-wearing, mango wood is still a softer
wood, making it easy to work with when creating furniture.
REGULAR CARE
To keep your mango wood pieces looking their best, clean them with a dry cloth
without any polish or solution to prevent the risk of removing the wood’s
natural wax. While cleaning, you can apply a small amount of natural beeswax
which will help strengthen the protective coating of the wood. Try not to use
a damp cloth to wipe the surface of your mango wood, as this may cause
discoloration. Avoid water spillage as this can cause the wood to swell, warp
or stain. Lastly, avoid exposing the wood to alcohol, deodorants, perfumes,
nail varnishes, and similar liquids. If the wood is exposed to any of these
products, wipe the surface immediately with a dry cloth.
THOROUGH
CARE
As soon as scratches or stains are discovered, seal them with a small amount
of matching paint or varnish. We recommend always testing a discrete area,
such as the underside of a table, before applying any varnish, wax, or cleaner
to a surface.
MORE INFORMATION
Positioning your furniture thoughtfully in a room can help avoid warping,
fading, and in some cases cracking. This will involve paying attention to
where you place pieces in proximity to heat sources and windows. We also
recommend, when possible, that you rotate your pieces to expose all angles to
an equal amount of air and light.
Acacia Wood
ABOUT ACACIA WOOD
We love how acacia can be sustainably farmed due to how quickly it grows.
Acacia is also an extremely durable wood as it resists water damage and
scratching, is close-grained, resistant to decay, naturally unpalatable to
insects, and is easy to care for and clean.
REGULAR CARE
Wipe down the wood with a soft cloth that has been slightly moistened with
warm, soapy water and avoid using cleaning tools with rough surfaces. Dry all
surfaces with a soft cloth or leave to air dry.
THOROUGH CARE
As soon as scratches or stains are discovered, seal them with a small amount
of matching paint or varnish. Always test a discrete area, such as the
underside of a table, before applying any varnish, wax or cleaner to a
surface.
REFRESHING
THE SURFACE
To refresh acacia wood, we recommend using wax or furniture oil. Using wax
creates a harder finish and can be done approximately once per year. If you use
oil instead, it is suggested as something to be done twice per year. When
refreshing acacia wood, we urge you to not use detergents or cleaners that
have ammonia in them as this can take moisture out of the wood.
MORE INFORMATION
Position acacia patio furniture underneath an umbrella or canopy to minimize
damage as a result of sun and rain. We suggest that you avoid placing acacia
wood furniture in direct sunlight, as this can cause the wood to dry out.
Reclaimed Wood
ABOUT RECLAIMED WOOD
These unique pieces carry knots and minor splits and cracks that you would not
typically find in something brand new, but this is what makes each of them
unique. With proper protection and care, you can make reclaimed wood furniture
last a lifetime.
REGULAR CARE
A soft, dry paintbrush is an ideal tool to clean the nooks and crannies that
will inevitably get crumbs stuck in them. If there is stubborn food or dust
buildup, use an aerosol spray can as the airbursts are helpful in the removal
of the particles.
THOROUGH CARE
There are many simple ways to remove watermarks with natural ingredients like
salt, water, or baking soda. Non-gel toothpaste can also remove watermarks, or
use a small amount of furniture polish to buff out the tough spots. To prevent
potential heat damage or burn marks, do not place hot plates or mugs directly
on reclaimed wood furniture.
REFRESHING
THE SURFACE
When caring for reclaimed furniture, we recommend using natural solutions like
olive oil, white vinegar, and water. The white vinegar and oil combination
works best on reclaimed wood furniture that is untreated, which means that the
piece has not been brushed with a finishing oil or shellac. If your furniture
has been sealed/treated, use gentle soap and a soft rag to clean the surface.
MORE INFORMATION
Arranging your furniture thoughtfully can help prevent warping, discoloration,
and other potential issues that arise from exposure to intense heat and light.
This will involve paying attention to where you place them in proximity to
heat sources and windows. We also recommend, when possible, that you rotate
your pieces to expose all angles to an equal amount of air and light. If your
reclaimed wood furniture is intended for the outdoors, do your best to keep it
in a shaded area as much as possible.
Teak Wood
ABOUT TEAK WOOD
Teak wood is valuable both for its elegance and its durability. It also
possesses some unique natural properties that most other woods don’t have.
You’ll find an abundance of natural oils and rubber locked right into the tight
grain of the wood. Though all woods contain oils and rubber that protect the
tree, teak has the ability to retain these elements even after being
processed. This makes it among some of the most naturally weather-resistant
woods.
REGULAR CARE
Teak is durable, easy to clean, and naturally stain-resistant. It is
recommended that once a week you dust your teak furniture with a lint-free
cloth. During the warmer months when your windows are open, or if dust-causing
work is being done in your home, we recommend that you clean your pieces more
frequently.
THOROUGH CARE
To prevent stains from spilling on your teak furniture, be sure to wipe them
up quickly with soapy water and a soft-bristled scrub brush. Stains that have
stayed longer may need a more thorough cleaning with a teak cleaner. You can
sand the top layer lightly to remove stains like these, however, before
sanding we recommend that you contact a professional.
Additionally, when brushing the surface, make sure that you are using a soft
brush so that you do not cause the wood to splinter or become discolored.
Brushes made of materials like brass or steel wool can lead to a rough,
splintery surface.
REFRESHING THE SURFACE
Teak wood furniture that is indoors should be oiled every 3 to 4 months. When
buying oil, we recommend opting for ‘natural’ colored oils to prevent any
changes in the color of the wood. Oil can be applied with a lint-free cloth or
fine triple-zero steel wool. Steel wool will help remove any stubborn stains,
but make sure to only rub in the direction of the grain, and never rub too
hard or long as this will damage the finish. When selecting a material to apply
and/or remove the oil, we recommend you do not use paper towels as they can
scratch the wood. After oiling, the teak must be rubbed with a dry, absorbent
cloth and you should leave it feeling just as dry to the touch as it did
before you started to oil it.
MORE INFORMATION
Properly cared for teak will change color slightly over time and the grain
will be more pronounced after oiling. New teak has a slightly yellow color,
whereas aged teak can become a rich, deep orange.
For any further questions about how to best care for your wooden
furniture, please contact sales@ldshoppe.com
The LD Shoppe