How to Care for Oak Furniture? | Oak Furniture Care Tips

Wood is a natural product and its beauty lies in its natural grain and texture. Most of our solid oak dining tables come in a choice of oiled finishes, from white through to blonde, smoked to grey and into black.

The wood's appearance will change over time, depending on the environment in which it is kept – naturally strong and hardwearing, some movement should be expected as it settles into your home. Though try to keep your dining table away from direct sunlight or heat sources. In extreme cases, this may cause the wood to dry out and crack.

Keeping your oak dining table or occasional table looking its best requires a little maintenance and, depending on the manufacturer and texture of the grain, different rules apply.

Daily cleaning

Wipe your dining table with a clean, dry cloth. If you cannot remove spills and stains with a dry cloth, use a wet cloth that has been well wrung-out. Always wipe in the direction of the grain, and dry immediately afterwards with a dry cloth. Never use chemicals, scouring pads, wire wool or similarly abrasive items on your table.

Vinegar, lemon juice and other acidic substances can damage a table very quickly: immediately wipe any spills with a damp cloth and dry with a soft dry one. And use placemats wherever possible, to protect the table from heat and liquids.

Oiling a wooden table

We recommend oiling your table twice a year. For smooth surfaces, sand gently with an extra-fine sandpaper in the direction of the grain and remove all dust with a soft, dry cloth. Apply the recommended oil – our experienced team are always happy to help – at between 15 and 25 degrees centigrade.

Remember, a little goes a long way, so apply sparingly. Leave for at least 30 minutes, then repeat the process three to four times. Wipe away any excess with a lint-free cloth.

Depending on the environment, it make take up to 24 hours to dry.

Neptune dining tables 

Holloways is a Neptune partner store, and we retail the full collection of Neptune's solid oak and tulip wood dining tables and dining chairs.

Neptune treats its timber furniture with IsoGuard, a trademarked protective formula which is linseed oil-based and free from VOCs, working to protect the timber from spills and changes in heat and humidity. By bonding at a molecular level, IsoGuard does not affect the natural matt texture of the wood. It is as much a finish as a protective treatment, and comes in a handful of shades from Natural Oak to Chalked Oak and Seasoned Oak.

Specialist Neptune IsoGuard cleaning products, from Treatment Oil to Surface Soap and microfibre e-cloths, are available to order. They include Tannin Spot Remover – an effective treatment for stains caused by damp metal to mugs and flower pots, and an IsoGuard care kit, for removing grease and water marks.

Our Neptune specialist, Victoria Twinberrow, is always on hand for aftercare and design advice. Call her on 01886 884665 to discuss your requirements.