Tips to Maintain Wooden Furniture

Maintaining furniture is a task but an extremely rewarding one. Here are a few tips that you could use to make sure your wooden furniture lasts long.

Wooden furniture, with its vintage charm, adds a sense of allure to your home. Any wooden piece is a center piece worthy of all attention. It is for this very reason that one must give its maintenance extra care and attention. But it’s extremely important to know what helps and what does not. 

Here are a few valuable tips that could help you maintain your furniture better.

Regular Cleaning & Maintenance:

1. Dust it well

A sparkling piece of furniture makes for a sparkling room. And the right amount of dusting helps in doing so. Make sure you use a soft, dry cotton cloth to wipe any dust off. If you could clean your sofas, tables, etc. on a bi-monthly basis, then there’s nothing like it.

2. Clean Spills Immediately

Accidents happen, but prompt action minimises damage. Blot any liquid—water, wine or coffee—straight away with a dry cloth. Avoid rubbing, which can spread moisture into the grain. For sticky or greasy marks, use a barely damp cloth and follow with a dry one right away. The quicker you tackle spills, the less chance they have to penetrate or stain.

3. Use Appropriate Cleaning Products

Not all cleaners are wood‑friendly. Steer clear of harsh chemicals, ammonia or silicone‑based sprays that strip finishes. Instead, choose pH‑balanced, wood‑safe polishes or mild soapy solutions recommended by Durian. Apply sparingly on a soft cloth, then buff gently to restore radiance. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first to ensure compatibility.

4. Maintain the Finish

Over time, finish wear is natural—but a little upkeep goes a long way. Every few months, refresh your furniture with a high‑quality wood polish or wax, following the grain and working in thin layers. This top‑up fills micro‑scratches and replenishes protective oils. For lacquered or water‑based finishes, follow Durian’s specific care instructions to avoid clouding or stickiness.

5. Avoid Extreme Humidity

Wood is a living material that expands and contracts with moisture. To prevent warping, cracking or joint separation, keep humidity levels in your home between 40%–60%. In dry winters, use a humidifier, and in humid summers, run dehumidifiers or air conditioning. Position furniture away from direct heat sources and air vents to maintain a stable environment.

How to Protect Your Wooden Furniture:

1. Minimal exposure to sunlight

Be careful about exposing wooden furniture to sunlight for prolonged time periods. It results in a phenomenon called ‘spotting’ where bright and dark spots appear across the cross-section. On a wooden table, you could use a tablecloth to effectively mitigate its effect.

2. Be mindful of temperature

Avoid using extremely hot and cold objects on wooden furniture for better maintenance. They tend to leave an impression that may distort the original texture of the surface. Make sure the exposure is limited to permissible time intervals and not for too long.

3. Let it age with grace

Furniture ages with time and you need to let it age gracefully. Just like wine, it may acquire new character in its twilight years. Some wood may lighten and some may darken with the passage of time. So when you’re buying any wooden furniture the next time be very mindful of its aging habits.

4. Keep sharp objects at bay

You should be very careful about not letting sharp objects too close to wooden furniture pieces. A scratch never looks good. Never. 

5. Oil and Wax Regularly

Oiling and waxing wood is highly recommended since it gives it a shiny varnish to it. Also,   it adds a protective layer, a coating on the surface thereby enlivening its appearance. If you could oil and wax your wooden units once in three months, it’ll be wonderful.

6. Use Warm Water For Cleaning

You should use warm water and mild dish soap to clean furniture. Be careful not to soak it for longer time periods. Clean it until the dust wears off. The residual moisture can be wiped away with a cloth later.

These are a few good tips that you can adopt to maintain your wooden furniture. And the biggest tip- do it with love! It’ll show and your furniture will glow!