Winter presents its own set of challenges for wooden furniture. Cold air and low humidity can affect the quality and appearance of products such as beds, sofa sets, dining tables, and coffee tables.
Caring for these products during the winter will keep them looking beautiful and increase their lifespan. The best techniques will protect the wooden surface, finishes, and structure, keeping each piece new throughout the cold months.
Maintain Indoor Humidity Levels
Check the moisture content of this room regularly, especially if you keep a lot of wooden pieces there. A constant moisture content will prevent the wood from drying out.
Maintain Furniture Away from Heating Sources
Direct heat can harm wood because it dries it and causes it to shrink. Place furniture pieces from sofa sets and coffee tables of wood at a distance from areas of direct heat, say, radiators, heaters, and fireplaces, where possible. Direct heat could cause surfaces to crack or warp. However, all wooden pieces should be kept away from these sources within several feet to avoid even heating and preserve the integrity of the wooden structures.
Clean and Dust Regularly
The winter months tend to highlight the dust on darker furniture surfaces. Dusting regularly with soft microfiber cloths helps prevent dirt buildup that could scratch the wood. Use a gentle wood cleaner when cleaning dining tables, coffee tables, and other furniture. A good cleaner should nourish the wood without leaving a residue. Chemicals can strip the wood of its natural oils and leave it more susceptible to the cold.
Block Direct Sun Rays
The sun rays of winter are so intense they will easily cause harm if they fall directly onto the wood surfaces in your bedroom or living room furniture surfaces. Your furniture can appear faded or discolored. Even your dining table appears the same way. Therefore, blocking direct sun on windows during peak sun hour times by pulling down the curtain, installing a blind covering the window, or even sticking on window films offers protection against UV sunrays by preventing them from passing inside the rooms. Your furniture won't fade to a different color and finish.
Apply Wood Wax or Polish
Wood polishing creates a coat of protection against winter's dry air. Use good-quality wood wax or polish that suits the type of wood of your coffee tables or sofa set. Reapplication of wax helps the wood retain its natural moisture to avoid cracking and splitting. Apply the wax following the product's instructions. Always ensure that you coat the surfaces evenly for an excellent finish.
Protective Covers and Pads End
For furniture surfaces, scratch and temperature change protection come in covers or pads. Covers are beneficial for sofa sets and dining tables when not in use. Table pads, for example, keep surfaces scratch and stain-free. On your coffee table, using coasters will prevent water rings from hot beverages. These simple accessories help keep all your furniture pieces clean and polished.
Regulate Indoor Temperature
Due to indoor temperature fluctuations, temperature changes happen more often during winter. Keep the temperature in your room steady and in the range of 60°F to 70°F so that it does not warp and expand. Severe temperatures may cause cracks in wooden furniture, especially when it is huge, like your bed or dining table.
Rotate Furniture Positions
Rotate the placement of furniture so that each piece ages perfectly. Over time, in certain areas, some sunlight or heat will be more experienced than others, causing even fading or warping on different pieces. Rotating also refreshes looks in rooms without having the new furniture.
Drying Surfaces of Liquids
Drinks or wet items are best not placed directly on wood surfaces like a dining tables or coffee table. Use coasters, trivets, or placemats to keep something between liquids and the wood. This small step will prevent unsightly water rings and preserve the smooth furniture finish, keeping the look intact over time.
Tighten Loose Screws and Joints
Wood expands and contracts with cold temperatures, loosening some of the joints or screws on your furniture. Check your sofa sets, dining table, and bed frames for loose screws or bolts at the beginning of winter. Tightening such materials will increase the stability of your furniture and avoid more damage. This simple maintenance tip means that your furniture remains safe, secure, and durable.
Consider Protective Finishes
Protective coatings like varnish or polyurethane shield the wood against heat and moisture fluctuations. They are perfect for furniture commonly exposed to direct sunlight or heat.
Do Not Over-Decorate
Use lighters and keep changing them so there will be no long-term stress on one spot. In this way, the moisture level of the wood does not increase, the wood surface remains undamaged, and your furniture retains its shine.
Use Essential Oils for Natural Moisture
Natural oils such as lemon or orange oil rejuvenate wood's natural moisture without a sticky residue. These oils also give your home a fresh scent while keeping your furniture polished. Use a bit of oil on a soft cloth to gently buff wooden surfaces. Essential oils help preserve your furniture's shine, ensuring that your sofa sets and coffee tables stay vibrant and smooth all winter.
Do Not Drag Furniture
Dragging furniture across floors may scratch and damage furniture legs, especially on pieces such as beds and dining tables. When rearranging or cleaning, lift furniture rather than dragging it. If you cannot lift a heavy piece, use furniture sliders or ask for help. This way, you will not cause damage from dragging your furniture, and your furniture will be sturdy and long-lasting.
Conclusion
Winter care for wooden furniture is a matter of just a few simple practices, which can make a difference. Bed, sofa sets, dining tables, and coffee tables are well protected by maintaining humidity, positioning furniture wisely, and polishing surfaces. Every step will ensure that the furniture is beautiful, functional, and free from damage caused by winter. Taking time out for these care techniques ensures that your furniture looks new, season after season. If you are looking for excellent quality wooden furniture with a new taste, check out options from Urbanwood sure to stand the test of time in your home and look just as great.
