The ultimate guide to caring for reclaimed wooden furniture
There’s no denying that the many variations in colour and grain of natural wood make it one of the most beautiful materials we have at our disposal.
From chunky coffee tables to floating shelving kits, reclaimed wood comes in a plethora of shades, ranging from warm cinnamon to bright almond tones to complement any home décor style.
Furthermore, it is the uniqueness of each piece of wood that makes it so special, so when you place your order for a stunning piece of reclaimed wooden furniture from Ashley Moore, you’ll want to keep it looking its beautiful best as it will reward you with years and years of faithful service.
To keep your reclaimed wooden furniture in tip-top condition, or for tips on how to transform it using paint, our ultimate guide to caring for reclaimed wooden furniture has all the information you need for ongoing maintenance.
Cleaning
Our reclaimed wooden furniture is created using solid wood, which can become dull and scratched over time if not given a good clean every now and again.
Once a week, give your reclaimed furniture a good dust using a soft, lint-free cloth. As reclaimed wooden furniture has already been waxed prior to leaving our workshop, there is no need to use any polishing products as the wax will still cover the surface of the piece, giving it a high shine without the use of any chemicals.
Waxing will need to be carried out occasionally to restore that high shine, but we’ll come to that a little later on in this article.
If you spot any coffee stains or other marks on the surface of your furniture, then don’t panic. Removing marks, spillages and built-up dirt doesn’t require any special products or materials. Just use a soft, clean cloth with a little warm water to gently wipe the surface.
If the marks still remain, please don’t be tempted to turn to harsh chemical cleaners as this could damage the patina of your furniture. Instead, use a little warm, soapy water before wiping down with a clean cloth to remove the stain.
Guarding against damage
Reclaimed wooden furniture is robust and hardwearing, but it can be susceptible to elements such as UV rays and moisture.
To avoid damaging your furniture, make sure that you keep your piece in an area of your home that is free from high levels of moisture. Kitchens are absolutely fine as the moisture from cleaning and cooking isn’t always present, but if you have a wall that is constantly damp or a conservatory that leaks in heavy rain, it’s probably best that you don’t use these areas to position any type of wooden furniture.
Also, you’ll want to keep your furniture away from harsh sunlight as this can bleach the colour, so if you are looking at placing your piece near a window where bright light streams in all day long, then you might want to consider using a table cloth or linen covering to protect the colour during the summer months.
Waxing
Waxing your reclaimed wooden furniture allows the beautiful colours of the wood to come through as well as protecting the surface and nourishing it at the same time.
As your new piece of Ashley Moore reclaimed wooden furniture acclimatises to your home, it’s a good idea to give it a wax every month for the first three months as it gets used to the new temperatures in your home.
After this time, waxing every other month is fine, but make sure that you purchase a good quality natural wax for the best results.
Waxing is quick and easy to do too, so add it into your usual household cleaning routine and you’ll hardly notice the extra few minutes it takes to wax your reclaimed wooden furniture to bring out that gorgeous colour and high shine.
Painting
As home décor trends change, you might find yourself wondering what your chunky coffee table would look like in a vintage white shade. The good news is that reclaimed wooden furniture is just as easy to paint as other types of furniture, but there are a few extra steps to be followed to get the best results.
Cleaning
Over time, you’ve probably used wax to keep the surface of your reclaimed wooden furniture sparkling. Before you add any paint, you’ll need to remove any waxy residue as this will affect the end result, so use some sugar soap to gently clean away any leftover wax and leave to dry.
Sanding to Remove Scratches
Much loved pieces of furniture often get scratched, so use this as an opportunity to give your piece a good sand down. You can do this quickly by hand or use a sander if you feel confident enough, just don’t forget to brush off any wood dust afterwards.
Prime for Perfection
For a great finish, taking a little extra time to apply a coat of primer really does deliver excellent results. A good quality wooden floor primer is ideal for this task as it ensures that no stains will come through once you’ve applied your paint.
Sand Again
Many people skip this stage, but a very quick final sand using ultra-fine sandpaper will help remove any air bubbles trapped by the primer and deliver an ultra-smooth finish that is completely free from bumps and blemishes.
Time to Paint
Finally, its time to get creative with your paintbrush!
For the best finish, it is always wise to give your piece of furniture several coats of paint instead of slapping on way too much paint in one go as this can result in drips and runs that will ruin your project.
Instead, take your time and leave an hour or so between coats of paint so it can dry. This way, you can check your progress and decide if you want to add more coats of paint for a solid colour or allow some of the wooden tones to come through for an on-trend vintage look.