Caring for your solid wood furniture
Well-cared-for solid wood furniture will stay with you for years. Good news: care is simple. It mostly depends on two things, your furniture's finish (varnished or oiled) and the humidity in your home, especially during Quebec winters.
Varnished or oiled: what is your furniture's finish?
Most of our suar furniture is varnished. A few pieces are oiled. The finish is listed on each product page; if in doubt, write to us.
The water drop test: place a drop of water in a discreet spot. If it beads up and stays on the surface, the piece is varnished. If the wood darkens and absorbs the drop after a few minutes, it is oiled.
Everyday care
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
- To clean, use a slightly damp cloth, with a little mild soap if needed, then dry right away.
- Quickly wipe up wine, coffee, cooking oil and water.
- Use coasters, placemats and trivets: a hot dish set directly on the surface can leave a mark.
- Avoid cleaners containing ammonia or bleach, silicone aerosol sprays and abrasive pads.
Varnished finish: no oil or wax
Varnish forms a protective layer on the wood. Oil and wax cannot penetrate it: they leave a greasy film that attracts dust. A damp cloth and mild soap are all you need. If the varnish is scratched or damaged, contact us rather than sanding it yourself.
Oiled finish: feed the wood once or twice a year
An oiled piece is refreshed with a wood oil about once or twice a year, or whenever the surface looks dry and dull.
- The surface must be clean, dry and dust-free.
- Apply the oil with a lint-free cloth in even strokes, always following the grain (along the length of the boards). Treat the whole surface in one go, without stopping.
- After about 10 minutes, wipe off the excess with a clean cloth until the surface feels dry.
- Let it dry as directed on the oil before setting anything back on it.
Important: oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own as they dry. Lay them flat outdoors to dry, or soak them in water in a closed container before throwing them out.
Quebec winters: watch the humidity
Solid wood “breathes”: it absorbs moisture from the air and releases it. In winter, heating dries our homes a lot. The wood loses moisture, shrinks slightly and small cracks can appear, mostly at the ends of the top and around knots.
- Keep the room's humidity between 35 and 50% (an inexpensive hygrometer shows you the exact level).
- A humidifier helps a lot when the heating is on.
- Keep furniture away from baseboard heaters, heating vents and fireplaces.
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can lighten or darken the wood unevenly.
Cracks and knots: the mark of real wood
Knots and small cracks are part of solid wood. They do not weaken your furniture and are not a defect: particleboard or veneer furniture doesn't crack precisely because it isn't solid wood. With stable humidity, the wood settles and cracks can tighten again when the warmer season returns.
Moving solid wood furniture
Always lift solid furniture with two people, without dragging it or pulling it by the legs. For a table, first clear the top and hold it by the top.
Need help?
A stubborn stain, damaged varnish, a crack that worries you? Our after-sales team is there after your purchase, and our Montreal warehouse can repair and touch up your furniture. Contact us with a photo and we will tell you what to do.
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