FURNITURE CARE
I use a non-toxic, zero voc combination of naturally drying oils and beeswax for the majority of the furniture that I produce. This finish allows the wood to age naturally, mellowed by both sunlight and air, to create an unmatched patina and depth of character. These finishes allow the wood to take on its own luster, while at the same time are hard wearing and easy to maintain for years to come.
FURNITURE CARE
The oil and wax finishes on your furniture will provide more than adequate protection against normal household use. Unlike hard varnishes, lacquers and polyurethane finishes, the oil finishes will not discolor, and are far less likely to show abrasive scratches over time. For minor food stains and their like, a soft damp cloth will be sufficient to remove any dried material, and it’s advisable to use coasters on any fine furniture. However, a little liquid, if not left to sit for too long, will not harm the finish. It is important to not use chemical cleaners, including furniture “polishes” such as Pledge. These can be harmful and discoloring to the wood, and over time leave undesirable residues on the surface.
WHEN TO WAX
Each piece of furniture is supplied with a kit to maintain its finish. From time to time, cleaning and waxing the surface can help to replace any lost or dulled luster. The frequency of waxing is solely dependent on the use of the furniture. A tabletop that is used for daily dining may need to be waxed once a month, where as a chair may only need to be attended to once or twice a year. If it seems that the luster is a bit dull, there is no harm in applying a coat of wax.
HOW TO WAX
To re-apply wax to your furniture, you will need some hard furniture wax, some 0000 grade steel wool, super fine white Scotch-Brite pads #7445, and a soft rag such as an old t-shirt. The steps are as follows:
1. Lightly steel wool the entire surface working in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Take a clean cloth and wipe off any steel fibers that may be adhering to the wood work.
3. Use another piece of cloth to apply an even light coat of wax with the grain of the wood. When applying wax to a chair, be mindful to not get any on the seat upholstery.
4. When this is done, use the Scotch-Brite pad to lightly wipe the wax in the direction of the wood grain. You should be evening out the wax but not removing it, and overlapping your strokes as you work.
5. At this point, allow the wax to set for 5 minutes so that it can begin to dry.
6. Now with the unused surface of the Scotch-Brite pad, rub the surface clean once again in the direction of the grain.
7. The final step is to buff the surface with a clean soft rag until the wood feels smooth and the luster is restored.