How To Care For Your Oak Table And Chairs

Oak tables and chairs are not as care-free as formica or plastic but with some basic routine maintenance, they will last a lifetime. Oak is a very strong wood, which is why it is so often chosen for wooden tables and chairs. Even though oak is known for its strength, there are some basic things you need to know before you make your purchase. Wood will swell or shrink due to changes in the temperature and humidity of the room they are in. While these changes are seldom drastic, you should take a few extra precautions to keep them to a minimum.

Place your oak table and chairs as far away as possible from heat vents, radiators, stoves and direct sunlight. Hot air blowing straight out of a vent or heater onto your wood furniture can dry the wood out enough that it can actually split or crack. Also, allow as much room as possible around the outside of the chairs so that they are not constantly being scraped against one another or a wall.

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If you keep the humidity in your home close to 45% year round, your solid wood table and chairs will thank you for it. Extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity can wreak havoc on your wood furniture.  A simple Hygrometer can be purchased inexpensively at most discount /home improvement stores that will tell you the both the temperature and humidity level in your home. In the winter, the central heat in your house can cause the humidity to drop well below this level. By using a humidifier to raise the humidity level, you will help your furniture to last longer. An added benefit is that your skin will also appreciate the extra moisture.

Here’s how to best protect your investment:

• Position your table and chairs so that they are as far away as possible from fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents.
• Avoid direct sunlight either by moving your furniture or using blinds during the hours that the sun hits those windows
• Use a humidifier in the winter and an air conditioner or dehumidifier in the summer to keep the humidity in your home around 40-45%.
• Never place pitchers or glasses, or anything wet for that matter, directly on your wood table; always use a coaster.
• Use pads underneath all of your hot or cold serving dishes.
• Don’t store extra leaves in a basement or any area of your house that is not climate controlled.
• Keep all solvents such as alcohol and nail polish remover away from your wood surfaces.
• Dust frequently to keep the wood surfaces free from abrasive particles that can cause tiny scratches that build up over time.
• Using a soft cloth and a quality furniture polish, wipe with the grain of the wood.
• You may want to consider purchasing a special pad to use under your table cloth, especially if you have small children.
• And last, but not least, use decorative place mats to cushion your dishes and utensils. These will also catch most of the things that are dropped or spilled during a meal.

If you follow some simple guidelines, your solid wood table and chairs will last you a lifetime and possibly even become an heirloom to be handed down from generation to generation.

Tags: oak tables, table and chairs, tables and chairs, wood furniture, wooden tables