At Mercana, our goal is to create pieces that stand the test of time and seamlessly become a part of your lifestyle. Whether its bingeing TV shows on one of our plush fabric sectionals or enjoying an intimate dinner with your family on one of our solid wood dining tables – we want these experiences to last for years to come.
To ensure that our products stand the test of time, we use high-quality materials and focus on quality control at every step of the way. This means that with just a few simple and regular efforts as mentioned in this quick guide, your new solid wood table should look fresh and turn heads for years to come.
Why Solid Wood?
For several years now, solid wood furnishings have dominated the industry and this material continues to grow in popularity even after the introduction of engineered woods and other synthetic replacements like plastic and acrylic.
Solid wood is popular mainly because of its organic feel, strength and its ability to withstand the test of time. In addition to this, solid wood is preferred over other materials because it most certainly introduces warmth and organic charm to any room. If cared for regularly, a well-constructed solid wood article can last you a lifetime. Moreover, solid wood furniture is now available in modern designs and finishes that make for timeless additions to any space. Caring for solid wood isn’t considered very difficult and regular care can reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep your furniture looking new for years to come.
Preventive Care Tips
- Wooden tables and other articles are highly susceptible to scratching. If you’re placing a sharp object on a wooden surface, a coaster or table cloth is highly recommended to avoid scratching and etching
- Solid wood may expand because of exposure to heat and contract if there is a drop in the temperature. If this happens often, it can cause cracking and uneven bumps in the surface. To prevent this, we recommend placing your wooden furniture in areas that are away from heat sources. For example, placing a wooden table close to the fireplace or heat vent will almost certainly affect its durability
- Exposure to moisture will negatively impact the longevity as well as the quality of the wood and we recommend placing your furniture in areas with regulated humidity. Using wooden furniture outdoors is not recommended for the same reason
- Liquids such as ink, thinner, nail polish and paints that tend to stain surfaces must be kept clear as they can penetrate deep into the cracks and pores in the wood making it difficult if not impossible to clean
- Frequently clean any pits in the wood using a small brush to avoid debris build up over time
- When moving the table, lift it instead of dragging it
Everyday Cleaning Tips
- Dusting the table as often as possible is highly recommended. This will keep dust from settling on the surface, ensuring that the finish is visible and fresh. A lamb’s wool duster is recommended so you’re not just shooting dust into the air, but actually cleaning it off of the surface.
- Regularly wiping the surface of your solid wood furniture using a damp microfiber cloth soaked in mild soap water will ensure that the surface is kept clean and the shine is maintained.
- For tough stains or spills, a dedicated cleaning agent can be purchased. It is important to find one that is made for the type of wood your furniture is crafted from, to avoid any discoloration or damage.
- We do not recommend using ammonia-based products or ones that contain silicone. If using polishes, limiting the use to once every few months is suggested.
- The use of coasters or placemats is highly recommended when placing hot vessels or plates on hardwood surfaces, as heat tends to cause damage.
- If you own a table that has a natural wood slab with wormholes, consider cleaning the holes and grains with a soft brush to ensure that there isn’t a debris build up.
Stubborn Spots and Spills
Solid Wood is a hygroscopic material which means that it absorbs water molecules from its surroundings. Thus, it is important to dry up spills as soon as they occur. Here’s how to make sure spills don’t cause any more than minimal damage to your solid wood table.
- Step 1: Immediately blot the spill. This will make it much easier to get rid of or prevent any staining on the wood.
- Step 2: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe any excess liquids from the surface.
- Step 3: If further cleaning is necessary, use a damp microfiber cloth soaked and wrung in lukewarm water to clean the surface.
- Step 4: Wipe the surface with a dry cloth to ensure that the surface doesn’t remain damp.
- Step 5: Incase of staining, repeat step 3 and 4. This time, using a non-abrasive cleaning agent (made for solid wood tables) or a mild soap instead of just water.
- Step 6: If the stain persists, contact a professional cleaner.
Seasonal Care Tips
In addition to regular care and preventive measures, your solid wood table deserves some minor occasional pampering. Over time, the shine on your wooden table will become less noticeable and it is recommended that once a year, you polish your table using a suitable clear wax. Refrain from using silicone-based polish products as they’re absorbed easily by the wood and cause cosmetic damage to your table.
Your solid wood table is also affected by changes in the environment around it. for example, if the humidity drops drastically below 40%, the wood tends to show signs of cracking while humidity levels above 45% may cause the wood to swell. Either way, you’ll want to regulate the humidity and temperature in the room and ensure that humidity levels are between 35% and 45% while the temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees all year round.
These are all the tips we have for you in this article. In the coming weeks, we’re going to publish more such posts on cleaning and caring for your Mercana products so keep an eye out for them on our Facebook or Instagram! Meanwhile, if you have any clean and care questions for us, leave a comment below and we’ll get one of our experts to help you out (or, we may just write a new blog post about it!).
If you haven’t done so already, subscribe to our blog for more tips, decor inspirations, and exclusive content!