Care Instructions for Solid Wood, Veneer, Furniture Board and Steel Furniture

Storage and usage conditions for solid wood furniture

Wood is a natural material and reacts to humidity and temperature – this is known as wood movement. Furniture should be used indoors, away from direct weather exposure.

Regular solid wood furniture care and maintenance helps preserve the beauty of the surface. If you want to compare finishes in your own lighting conditions, we recommend color samples.

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Care and usage instructions for oak tables

The following rules apply in particular to oak table tops and oak tables. You can also visit our dedicated page: oak tables – care guide.

Basic care rules for a solid wood table

• Clean furniture regularly to remove dust – do not allow dirt to build up excessively.
• Use products intended for wood: one type for cleaning and another for maintenance.
• Do not use abrasive sponges, scrapers or products with granules (risk of scratches).
• Do not use thinners, caustic agents, stain removers or aggressive chemicals.
• Remove dirt and wet stains immediately with a soft, dry cloth or a wood care product.
• Do not apply the product directly onto the furniture. Apply it to a cloth first (microfiber/flannel), then clean the surface.
• Always wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain.
• Keep at least 1 meter away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, stoves or ovens.
• Do not place hot, damp or very cold objects directly on the tabletop – always use coasters or pads.
• Ventilate the room and avoid prolonged moisture exposure (wet floors, rugs, direct contact with water).
• Always wipe up spilled water immediately and dry the surface thoroughly.

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Cleaning desks (worktop and carcass)

A desk is a heavily used piece of furniture, so apart from standard cleaning it is important to protect the worktop against prolonged moisture, high temperatures and micro-scratches. Make sure you dust regularly and remove dirt quickly.

Desk top – daily care

• For dust: use a soft, dry cloth (microfiber).
• For dirt: use a slightly damp cloth and dry the surface immediately afterwards.
• Use a mouse pad and laptop mat (this reduces micro-scratches and localized heat build-up on the surface).
• Do not leave wet cups or bottles without a coaster – any water should be removed immediately.

Carcass and storage elements (drawers, shelves)

• Clean the carcass like other cabinet furniture: minimal moisture, quick drying, no aggressive chemicals.
• Avoid applying water around drawer runners and hinges – dry these areas after wiping.
• Clean the inside of drawers with a dry cloth or vacuum using a soft attachment.

What to avoid (important)

• Do not use abrasive products, solvents or caustic cleaners.
• Do not use steam cleaning and do not leave a wet film on the worktop.
• Do not place hot dishes directly on the worktop – always use protective pads.

If the desk has veneered elements or a furniture board carcass, also follow the rules in: Cleaning veneer and Cleaning furniture board.

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Cleaning cabinet furniture (sideboards, display cabinets, dressers, shelving, TV units)

Cabinet furniture such as sideboards, display cabinets, dressers, shelving units and TV furniture should be cleaned regularly using soft cloths and a minimal amount of moisture. The most important principles are quick drying and avoiding aggressive chemicals – especially around edges, joints and hardware.

Basic cleaning rules

• For everyday refreshing, use a soft, dry cloth (microfiber / flannel).
• For light dirt: use a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately.
• If you use a cleaning product, apply it to the cloth – never spray it directly onto the furniture.
• Wipe gently in the direction of the grain (for wooden or veneered elements).
• Do not allow moisture to remain on edges, joints and trims.

Drawers, fronts and hardware

• Clean fronts with a soft cloth – avoid pressing hard near handles and edges.
• Around hardware (hinges, runners, handles), do not leave a wet film – dry the surface after wiping.
• If the furniture contains glass, clean it separately and make sure glass cleaner does not run onto wooden or veneered parts.

What to avoid (important)

• Do not use thinners, acetone, bleach, caustic agents or abrasive cleaners.
• Do not use rough sponges, wire wool, scrapers or steam cleaning.
• Do not place wet objects directly on the furniture (for example vases without pads or wet glasses).

If you want to match the finish to your interior, use color samples or visit What we make our furniture from.

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Cleaning veneer (natural veneer)

Veneer is a natural layer of wood, so it should be cleaned gently and protected from excess water. The key is to remove liquids quickly and dry the surface thoroughly – especially around edges, joints and trims.

Basic veneer cleaning rules

• Use a soft, dry cloth (microfiber / flannel) to remove dust.
• For light dirt: use a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately afterwards.
• If you use a cleaning product, always apply it to the cloth, never directly onto the surface.
• Wipe in the direction of the grain without applying strong pressure.
• Remove spilled liquids immediately – do not allow moisture to seep into the edges.

Stains and more difficult dirt

• Start with warm water and a soft cloth.
• If that is not enough, use a small amount of a mild cleaning agent (without granules and without abrasive properties).
• Always test the product first in an inconspicuous area.
• After cleaning, wipe the surface with a clean, slightly damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

What to avoid (important)

• Do not use thinners, stain removers, caustic products, bleach, abrasive cleaners or creamy cleaners with granules.
• Do not use steam cleaning and do not soak the surface with water.
• Do not use abrasive sponges, scrapers, wire wool or hard brushes.
• Avoid prolonged contact with moisture (wet decorations, damp pads, wet cloths left on the surface).

If you want to choose a finish in your own lighting conditions, we recommend color samples. We describe our materials and furniture construction here: What we make our furniture from.

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Cleaning furniture board carcasses (laminate / melamine)

Furniture board carcasses are easy to clean, but the most sensitive areas are edges and joints. Excess water may cause swelling and delamination, so follow one simple rule: minimal moisture + quick drying.

Everyday cleaning

• Use a soft cloth and water (optionally with a small amount of mild cleaning product).
• After wiping, remove any remaining product with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
• Dry thoroughly – especially around edges, joints, hardware and handles.

Greasy marks and fingerprints

• Gently wipe with a solution of warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
• Do not scrub – lift the dirt away with the cloth instead of rubbing aggressively.
• Finish by wiping with clean water and drying thoroughly.

What to avoid (important)

• Do not use caustic cleaners, thinners, aggressive degreasers or abrasive products.
• Do not use rough sponges, pads, scouring powders or scrapers (risk of dulling and scratches).
• Do not allow water to remain on edges and joints – this is the most common cause of damage.
• Avoid steam cleaning and leaving a wet film on the surface.

Additional usage recommendations

• Use coasters and pads for hot dishes and drinks – do not place them directly on the surface.
• If any liquid is spilled, wipe it dry immediately.
• For heavily used furniture, felt pads under decorations or devices are recommended to reduce the risk of scratches.

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Care instructions for powder-coated steel frames

Steel elements in furniture (for example legs and frames) are usually protected with a powder-coated finish. Proper care minimizes the risk of scratches and corrosion.

Rules for using and cleaning powder-coated steel

• Avoid exposure to fire, water, salt, acids, aggressive solvents, cement, lime and abrasive cleaners.
• Do not place the frame in wet or permanently damp areas – this may lead to corrosion.
• Do not use scouring powders or hard pads – they may scratch the surface.
• For typical dirt: use a damp cloth or chamois. For more difficult dirt: use a nylon sponge.
• Do not use steel wool or wire brushes.
• Oil or grease stains should be removed with a soft cloth lightly dampened with water and a mild kitchen detergent, then dried thoroughly.
• Periodically clean the surface with water and a small amount of mild cleaning product, then dry it thoroughly.

What to avoid (important)

• Do not use solvents, acetone, acids or abrasive cleaners – they may damage the powder-coated finish.
• Do not use steam cleaners – high steam temperature may damage the coating and accelerate corrosion.

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FAQ – solid wood furniture care

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Important information

Natural ageing of wood, colour changes caused by light and signs of everyday use are typical for furniture made from natural materials. Damage resulting from improper care, the use of aggressive chemicals or solvents, steam cleaning, high temperatures, flooding, impact or modifications carried out by unauthorized persons may affect the acceptance of claims under warranty or liability.

The detailed scope of warranty exclusions is set out in the store terms and conditions and the warranty terms. If you have any questions, please contact: info@rawood.eu.

See also: What we make our furniture from • Shop • Wood color samples