How To Make Your Custom Oak Furniture Last Longer

Oak is a popular furniture material because it has so many advantages over most of the alternatives. One of the key benefits that attracts many shoppers to custom oak furniture is the durability. Oak is a strong material, and as long as it is not neglected, it can last a lifetime.

While this hardwood does offer superior durability when compared to many other materials, it will need some care. In this post, we are going to tell you some of the basic steps that go into making oak furniture last longer.

Placement

If you want oak furniture to last longer, you should consider where it is placed in the home. You should try to avoid setting it in a place that receives direct sunlight. Over time, sunlight will fade the finish, and that will mean that you have to get it refinished sooner. You should also avoiding placing it near radiators or heating vents. The dry air from the heating system could dry the wood out and cause the joints to loosen.

Dust Regularly

You should dust your oak furniture regularly. When dust and dirt is allowed to sit on a piece of wood furniture for a long time, it can be hard to remove from the finish. If you want to keep it looking good and in good shape, you should dust the furniture with a soft cloth.

Clean it the Right Way

Cleaning oak furniture is an important part of making it last longer, but you need to clean it the right way. Some people might make the mistake of using a standard household cleanser to clean oak furniture, and this could damage the finish.

When you clean your custom oak furniture, just use a damp rag or sponge with water. Wipe it down by hand and be careful not to soak it. Once you have it wiped clean, get a dry cloth to remove any excess water.

Polishing

Polishing oak furniture can do more than just make it look good. When you use the right type of polish, it works with the finish to protect and preserve the wood. However, that is the key – you have to use the right type of polish.
The aerosol polishes can be attractive because they are easy to use, but you may want to think twice before using it on your furniture. Many of these polishes have chemicals that can be bad for the finish.

Oil polishes are better than the aerosols, but they have their issues as well. They can work to protect and preserve the wood, but dust and grime can easily stick in the oil. Along with that, after several applications, they can give the finish a muddy appearance.

If you are looking for the best option, you should apply wood furniture wax. It takes a little more work to apply, but you do not have to worry about dust building up in the polish and it provides a better protective coating than your other options. Not only that, but wax lasts a long time. Depending on the conditions, you may only need to wax your oak furniture once every five years.