{"id":1182,"date":"2015-07-15T16:26:41","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T06:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/?p=1182"},"modified":"2015-11-27T10:58:02","modified_gmt":"2015-11-26T23:58:02","slug":"how-to-care-for-custom-timber-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/how-to-care-for-custom-timber-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"Handle with Care: 5 Ways to Care for Custom Timber Furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quality timber furniture can become a treasured family heirloom that lasts for generations. Four Handkrafted master craftspeople reveal five ways to care for your custom timber furniture to ensure it stands the test of time.<\/em>
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1. Keep It Simple<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"cleaning<\/a>Less is more when it comes to the day-to-day cleaning of your custom timber furniture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe simplest way to clean your furniture is with a weak solution of dish washing liquid and water using a soft, slightly damp cotton cloth, then dry it off afterwards with a soft cotton rag,\u201d says Nicholas Bailey<\/a> from Nicholas Bailey Fine Furniture.<\/p>\n

Avoid using solvent-based or abrasive cleaning products, and don\u2019t apply furniture polishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would never apply a wax paste or similar,\u201d says Nathan Day<\/a> from Nathan Day Design. \u201cChances are you will do more harm than good.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Know Your Finish<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a>How you maintain your furniture depends on the type of finish that has been applied.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lacquered piece of furniture looks its best the day it leaves the workshop, while an oil finish will age far more gracefully,\u201d explains Nathan Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cLacquer is sprayed on and forms a protective coating over the timber. It\u2019s a zero maintenance finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Natural oil finishes, on the other hand, require more care.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn oil finish is penetrative, soaking into the timber and providing protection from moisture and staining,\u201d continues Day. \u201cUnlike lacquer you can re-apply oil periodically to bring the finish back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs timber is a natural product, it\u2019s important to nourish it,\u201d says Sunny Wilder from WilderCoyle<\/a> Furniture & Design. \u201cWe only use a natural oil and beeswax finish which allows the timber to breath and lets you feel the actual grain of the wood. When it looks dry give it a little oil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Depending on how heavily the piece is used, you\u2019ll generally need to apply a thin coat of oil with a soft cotton cloth once or twice per year.<\/p>\n

3. Protect Against Spills<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"oiling<\/a>Whether it\u2019s a glass of red knocked over at a dinner party or your morning coffee gone awry, spills happen.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to clean up the spill as quickly as possible with a damp cloth, however any lasting damage is largely dependent on the furniture\u2019s finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally, oil finishes are absorbed into the timber so will not be as resilient to heat and spills,\u201d says Alex Fossilo from FOSAX <\/a>Design Co. \u201cPolyurethanes, on the other hand, build up on the surface of the timber and fill the grain.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a piece of furniture is going to be used heavily I\u2019d recommend a 2pac polyurethane finish like Beckers Acroma that has a high resistance to scratches and staining from coffee cups and plates. Or there is a good oil called Livos that, if applied correctly, builds up a thickness over several coats to provide pretty good protection in high use situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Go Easy on the Air Con<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a>Excessive air conditioning can have an impact on your timber furniture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe general moisture content of a piece of seasoned timber is around 12 per cent,\u201d explains Nathan Day. \u201cAir conditioning is drying and will draw the extra moisture from the timber causing it to shrink and possibly distort.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important never to place your timber furniture directly beneath or in front of an air conditioning vent, and keep it away from heaters, which may have a similar effect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal would be to keep the furniture in the most consistent environment as possible to minimise moisture change and movement in the timber,\u201d says Alex Fossilo.<\/p>\n

5. Draw Your Curtains<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Sunlight can discolour timber and break down a range of finishes over time, so it pays to practice caution when exposing your timber furniture to direct UV light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have clients who have put UV tinting onto their windows to block a lot of the UV light getting in and degrading artwork and furniture,\u201d says Nicholas Bailey.<\/p>\n

Another option is to choose a more protective finish for your timber furniture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some Polyurethane products that have UV-absorbing additives that help to reduce yellowing and discolouration, although they will never stop it 100 per cent,\u201d says Alex Fossilo.<\/p>\n

When all else fails, says Sunny Wilder, embrace the natural quality of timber and appreciate it\u2019s rich evolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we really love about timber is the way it patinas and ages over time. So although it\u2019s important to care for it, it\u2019s also important to let it live, use and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a>By Shane Conroy<\/p>\n

(Many thanks to Luke & Alison Collins of Bombora Custom Furniture<\/a> for sharing their\u00a0lovely photos with us. You can check out their related blog post here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

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About Handkrafted:<\/em><\/p>\n

Handkrafted <\/a>has brought together Australia\u2019s most comprehensive community\u00a0of independent bespoke furniture makers. With hundreds of craftspeople and artisans that can cater to all styles, budgets and geographies,\u00a0we’ll\u00a0match you to\u00a0the right maker for your custom furniture project.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Commissioning a piece of furniture through Handkrafted is a unique and fulfilling experience. Support local makers and\u00a0kickstart<\/a>\u00a0your own project today.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Quality timber furniture can become a treasured family heirloom that lasts for generations. Four Handkrafted master craftspeople reveal five…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1285,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t