Properly care for naturally oiled furniture
Even oiled wood needs occasional refreshing. How often you should maintain it depends on how frequently the furniture is used and the level of wear it is exposed to. It may be sufficient to refresh the wood surface with maintenance oil quarterly or even less often.
Good indications that the surface needs maintenance are fading color depth, reduced water resistance, or a surface that feels dry and brittle. New maintenance oil should then be applied. This refills the wood’s pores with oil, renews its protective effect, and restores the natural wood tone’s color depth.
With the right cleaning and care, your oiled or waxed wooden furniture will last considerably longer. Here you will find some general care tips and step-by-step instructions on how to care for your furniture properly.
These care recommendations are based on naturally oiled wooden furniture. UV-oiled, waxed, or lacquered wooden furniture requires slightly different care. If in doubt, test on a less visible area how the furniture reacts to the maintenance oil and whether it absorbs it. Our 25 ml care sachet is particularly suitable for a test.
STEP BY STEP
Only clean furniture can be treated. Remove loose dust or dirt from the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth. Then add a little OLI-NATURA wood soap to a bowl of lukewarm water, wipe the surface with a dampened cloth, and leave it to dry – done. For stubborn dirt, treat it undiluted and then wipe with water.
Massage it in using circular movements and gentle pressure. If you use a brush, spread the oil in the direction of the grain until the wood surface is evenly coated. Use the maintenance oil sparingly. Depending on the absorbency of the wood, as little as 10-20 g/m² may be sufficient.
Allow the maintenance oil to absorb for approximately 10 minutes . Then remove any excess oil with an oil-absorbing cloth or a cotton cloth and polish the surface once more.
3) ALLOW TO DRY
THE RIGHT CARE TOOLS
First of all: You do not need a huge collection of products to be well equipped for all furniture-care needs. Here you will find a list of the necessary tools. Optionally, our Care Set No. 1 is recommended; it already contains everything important.
- For applying the oil, you can use an ordinary lint-free cotton cloth, a white polishing pad, or a brush. Some people swear by a brush for cleanliness, while others prefer direct finger contact with the cloth.
- Disposable gloves can protect you from the slightly sticky maintenance oil.
- The OLI-NATURA oil-absorbing cloth is particularly suitable for removing excess oil and for final polishing. Alternatively, you can of course use an ordinary, lint-free cotton cloth or kitchen paper.
- When caring for your furniture, remember to protect your clothing as well: It is best to wear an old garment or an apron to avoid stains.
General Tips & Tricks
Dust your wooden furniture regularly with a dry, possibly slightly damp, but never wet cloth. For firmly attached dirt, never use conventional household cleaners, as they can leach the wood and damage the surface protection.
Standing Moisture & Heat
In general, you should avoid excessive moisture and wipe up liquids such as wine, water, coffee, or fruit juice as quickly as possible. Hot cooking pots or similar items should likewise never be placed on a wooden table or kitchen worktop without a trivet.
Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains that can no longer be removed with undiluted »OLI-NATURA wood soap« , simply soak a white polishing pad with »OLI-NATURA wood maintenance oil« and rub it firmly over the stain in the direction of the wood grain. Alternatively, you can use »OLI-NATURA oil thinner« . Then apply some »OLI-NATURA wood maintenance oil« to a cotton cloth and wipe the area to be treated. Wipe away excess maintenance oil – done! Stains that have been deep inside the wood for a long time can generally only be removed by sanding them out and refinishing the surface.
Scratches & Dents
Minor dents and scratches on naturally oiled surfaces are easy to repair: Depending on their depth, sand the affected area first with coarse and then with fine sandpaper, up to grit 180 or 220. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain. Sanding marks should no longer be visible. Then remove the dust thoroughly and simply re-oil with some »OLI-NATURA wood maintenance oil« . Any difference in color will even out over time.
WARNING: RISK OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION!
Particular attention must be paid to oil-soaked rags and cloths, which can spontaneously ignite due to heat accumulation. Naturally drying oils harden by absorbing oxygen from the air. This generates heat, which is normally released into the surrounding environment and is completely harmless. However, in oil-soaked and crumpled rags, cloths, pads, or sponges, the heat cannot escape, meaning they may spontaneously ignite under unfavorable conditions. Oily cloths or rags should therefore never be left unattended; instead, soak them with water, hang them outdoors, and allow them to dry. Treated this way, they can be disposed of safely once dry. Alternatively, oil-soaked rags and sponges can be stored under water or temporarily kept in an airtight, sealable container.