How to maintain your wooden furniture?

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Nateo CONCEPT

Taking care of your wooden furniture

Warm, durable and aesthetically pleasing, wood is a material very commonly used in the design of furniture and can therefore be found in many rooms of the home. But it is also a material that must be maintained to stay clean, keep its beautiful hue and last over time. So what are the different types of wood that can be found in the home, and how do you care for a piece of wooden furniture? We explain everything!

Where do we find wooden furniture in the home?

The use of wood is very widespread in homes for the creation of furniture. Indeed, this material offers a wide range of possibilities since it is easy to work with and therefore allows for many options. Moreover, it is a material that remains affordable, which makes it much easier to purchase a piece of wooden furniture than, say, a marble piece. Wood is also robust and long-lasting, so it is no surprise to see high-quality wooden furniture pass through several generations.

We can therefore find wooden furniture in the living room with tables, chairs, wooden bookcase furniture, and more. Wood is also found in bedrooms with beds, bedside tables and dressers, for example. These are used in both adults' and children's rooms, for example with teen furniture, children's furniture or baby furniture such as a changing unit or a Montessori furniture. Wood can even be found in the bathroom with storage elements, as well as outdoors with wooden garden furniture such as a garden set, for example. With the right treatment, wood can indeed withstand moisture and rain very well.

Armoire Vintage
Armoire Vintage Noyer

Recognising the different types of wood

Before tackling the maintenance of your furniture, it is important to identify the type of wood you wish to clean and care for, in order to use the right techniques and the right products. Indeed, several types of wood can be distinguished, such as:

  • Raw wood: This is wood that has not undergone any treatment or protection. Its colour may therefore change over time and it is particularly susceptible to stains. That said, raw wood offers an authentic look and allows you to enjoy the true colour of the chosen species.
  • Waxed wood : Waxed wood is wood that has been treated with a wax. The wax protects it, can tint it, and give it a shiny appearance.
  • Oiled wood : Here, an oil is applied to the wood in order to nourish and protect it. The oil penetrates deep into the wood.
  • Varnished wood : It has a protective layer of varnish that helps preserve the wood from stains and other marks.
  • Painted wood : Painted wood allows you to colour the wood as desired, offering a very wide range of possibilities and colours.
  • Lacquered wood : Lacquer is even more resistant to moisture than paint. It is generally used on outdoor furniture.
  • Stained wood : Wood stain is a product designed to impregnate the wood to protect it from moisture and UV rays.
  • MDF wood panels : What is known as MDF is a composite material made from wood fibres, and it is very commonly used in the manufacture of furniture.

There is therefore a multitude of possibilities when it comes to wooden furniture, and we also recommend favouring eco-friendly furniture.

Why choose eco-friendly furniture?

In order to limit one's impact on the environment, it is recommended to opt for what is known as eco-friendly furniture. Eco-friendly furniture refers to wooden furniture that meets certain specific criteria, which earns it the designation of eco-friendly furniture.

We speak in particular of eco-friendly furniture to refer to furniture certified PEFC or FSC. The wood used in their production comes from sustainably managed forests, which helps limit the environmental impact during their manufacture. You can also favour furniture made from reconstituted wood panels with a low formaldehyde content, or wooden furniture finished with water-based paint. This allows you to opt for eco-friendly furniture while also limiting the presence of volatile organic compounds and thus preserving your well-being.

Our care advice

Wood is a material that requires proper maintenance to last over time and preserve its beautiful colour. For storage furniture, a simple dusting with a microfibre cloth on a regular basis should be sufficient.

For furniture that needs a more thorough cleaning, such as a dining table for example, we recommend spraying an appropriate cleaning product onto a cloth and then wiping it over the surface. When it comes to choosing cleaning products, we recommend avoiding overly abrasive products and favouring formulations that respect wood fibres. Eco-friendly formulas will be ideal, especially when it comes to cleaning eco-friendly furniture!

Finally, in the event of stains or marks, there are products available that allow for a deeper clean. If unfortunately the desired result cannot be achieved, you may consider retreating the wood with an oil, a wax or a wood stain depending on the type of furniture. In that case, we recommend seeking advice from a professional.