Oiled wood also needs occasional refreshing. How often you should re-treat it depends on how frequently the furniture is used and the stress it is exposed to. For instance, it may be sufficient to refresh the wooden surface quarterly or even less frequently with care oil.
Good indicators that the surface needs care are: when the color depth diminishes, water resistance decreases, or the surface feels dry and brittle. At that point, new care oil should be applied. This replenishes the wood's pores with oil, renews the protective effect, and restores the natural wood tone's color depth.
With proper cleaning and care, your oiled or waxed wooden furniture will last significantly longer. Here we have some general care tips and a step-by-step guide on how to best care for your furniture.
This care recommendation assumes naturally oiled wooden furniture. UV-oiled, waxed, or varnished wooden furniture requires slightly different care. If in doubt, test in an inconspicuous area to see how the furniture reacts to the care oil and if it absorbs. Our 25ml care pouch is particularly suitable for a sample.
STEP-BY-STEP
Only clean furniture can be maintained. Remove loose dust or dirt from the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth. Then add some OLI-NATURA Wood Soap to a bowl of lukewarm water, wipe over the surface with a damp (not wet) cloth, and let it dry – done. For stubborn dirt, treat undiluted and then wipe with water.
Massage it in circular motions with gentle pressure. If using a brush, spread the oil in the direction of the wood grain until the wooden surface is evenly coated. Use the care oil sparingly. Depending on the wood's absorbency, 10-20 g/m² may be sufficient.
Allow the care oil to penetrate for about 10 minutes. Now, remove any excess oil with an oil absorbing cloth or a cotton cloth and polish the surface again.
3) ALLOW TO DRY
THE RIGHT CARE UTENSILS
First things first: you don't need a huge collection of products to be well-equipped for all furniture care eventualities. Here you will find a list of necessary tools. Optionally, our Care Set No. 1, which already includes everything important, is recommended.
- For oil application, you can use an ordinary lint-free cotton cloth, a white polishing pad, or a brush. Some swear by a brush for cleanliness, while others prefer direct finger contact with the cloth.
- Disposable gloves can protect you from the slightly sticky care oil.
- For removing excess oil and final polishing, the OLI-NATURA oil absorbing cloth is particularly good. Optionally, you can also use an ordinary, lint-free cotton cloth or even paper towels.
- When caring for furniture, remember to protect your clothing: it's best to wear an old piece of clothing or an apron to avoid stains.
General Tips & Tricks
Regularly dust your wooden furniture with a dry, possibly damp, but never wet cloth. For stubborn dirt, you should never use conventional household cleaners, as these can leach the wood and attack the surface protection.
Standing Moisture & Heat
In general, you should avoid excessive moisture and wipe away liquids such as wine, water, coffee, or fruit juices as quickly as possible. Hot pots or similar items should also not be placed on wooden table or kitchen countertops without a coaster.
Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains that cannot be removed with pure "OLI-NATURA Wood Soap", simply soak a white polishing pad with "OLI-NATURA Wood Care Oil" and rub vigorously over the stain in the direction of the wood grain. Alternatively, you can also use "OLI-NATURA Oil Thinner". Then apply some "OLI-NATURA Wood Care Oil" to a cotton cloth and wipe over the area to be treated. Wipe off excess care oil – done! Stains that have been deep inside the wood for a longer period can usually only be removed by sanding and re-treatment.
Scratches & Dents
On naturally oiled surfaces, minor dents and scratches can be easily repaired: depending on the depth, sand locally with coarse, then 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 dust thoroughly and simply re-oil with some "OLI-NATURA Wood Care Oil". Any color difference will equalize over time.
NOTE ON THE RISK OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION!
Special attention should be paid to oil-soaked cloths and rags, which can spontaneously combust due to heat buildup. This is because naturally drying oils harden by absorbing atmospheric oxygen, generating heat that is normally released into the environment and is completely harmless. However, in oil-soaked and crumpled rags, cloths, pads, or sponges, the heat cannot escape, so they can spontaneously combust in the worst case. Therefore, never leave oily cloths or rags lying around carelessly, but soak them with water, hang them outdoors, and let them dry. Once treated in this way, they can be disposed of safely after drying. Alternatively, oil-soaked cloths and sponges can be stored under water or temporarily in an airtight container.
