Cleaning
Dust regularly with a soft, clean cloth. For general cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth and dry the surface afterwards. Wipe up spills promptly.
Forget-Me-Knot Furniture
Furniture Care & Aftercare
Practical advice for looking after your furniture, including everyday cleaning, protecting surfaces, maintaining different finishes and caring for solid wood.
View care advice
Care information
Caring for your furniture
Our furniture is designed for everyday use. With the right care, solid wood and painted furniture can retain its appearance for many years.
This guide covers routine cleaning, protecting surfaces, maintaining different finishes and dealing with common issues.
General guidance
Everyday furniture care
These basic recommendations apply to most furniture, regardless of the finish.
Surface protection
Use coasters, placemats and heat-resistant trivets to protect against moisture, heat and marks. Avoid placing hot pans or dishes directly onto wooden or painted surfaces.
Positioning
Keep furniture away from direct heat sources such as radiators. Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight and changes in humidity can also affect timber and finishes.
Finish-specific care
Caring for different finishes
Different furniture finishes have different cleaning and maintenance requirements.
Waxed timber
Waxed timber benefits from occasional maintenance to preserve its appearance and protective finish.
- Clean with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth.
- Wipe spills promptly and keep surfaces dry.
- We recommend a suitable furniture polish containing natural beeswax for maintaining waxed timber.
- Apply sparingly, following the product instructions, and buff with a soft cloth.
Painted furniture
Painted furniture is easy to maintain with regular gentle cleaning.
- Wipe with a soft cloth, slightly damp if needed.
- Dry the surface after cleaning.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners, solvents and scouring pads.
- Avoid applying beeswax polish, furniture oil or abrasive treatments to painted surfaces.
Oiled timber
Oiled wood may benefit from occasional maintenance to refresh its finish.
- Wipe up spills promptly and dry the surface.
- Use gentle cleaning methods rather than harsh detergents.
- When maintenance is needed, use an oil suitable for the timber's existing finish, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Sealed surfaces
Sealed surfaces generally need only routine cleaning and do not require regular waxing or oiling.
- Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Dry the surface afterwards.
- Use coasters and trivets to prevent marks.
- Avoid waxes, oils and abrasive treatments unless specified for the particular coating.
Important: Always use cleaning and maintenance products intended for your furniture's particular finish. Test unfamiliar products on a small, inconspicuous area first and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Quick reference
What to do and what to avoid
A summary of our main furniture care recommendations.
Recommended
- ✓ Use coasters and placemats.
- ✓ Clean using a soft cloth.
- ✓ Wipe up spills promptly.
- ✓ Maintain reasonably stable room conditions.
- ✓ Use appropriate products for each finish.
Avoid
- × Hot objects placed directly on surfaces.
- × Harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
- × Water left standing on furniture.
- × Prolonged exposure to direct heat.
- × Unnecessary sanding or abrasive treatments.
Further information
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about caring for our furniture.
Can I use ordinary furniture polish?
We recommend a furniture polish containing natural beeswax for suitable waxed timber surfaces. Apply sparingly with a soft cloth and buff according to the product instructions.
Painted, oiled and sealed furniture should be cared for according to its finish rather than using a general-purpose wax polish.
How often should I wax my dining table?
Waxed tables may need occasional maintenance, depending on how frequently they're used. If the surface begins to look dry or worn, a light application of a suitable natural beeswax-based product can help maintain the finish.
Always follow the product instructions and avoid applying more wax than necessary. Painted, oiled and sealed tables have different maintenance requirements.
Is it normal for solid wood to move?
Yes. Solid wood naturally expands and contracts as temperature and humidity change. Small seasonal movements, including minor changes in gaps or dimensions, can occur.
Keeping furniture in a room with reasonably stable temperature and humidity helps minimise these changes.
Can I place furniture near a radiator?
Solid wood furniture is best positioned away from direct heat sources, including radiators and range cookers. Concentrated heat can cause excessive drying, timber movement or changes to the finish.
Is solid wood furniture suitable for rooms with underfloor heating?
Solid wood furniture can be used in many rooms with underfloor heating, provided the room is maintained at normal indoor temperatures and humidity levels.
Avoid excessive heat and very dry conditions. Seasonal timber movement may still occur, as with any solid wood furniture.
Will sunlight change the colour of my furniture?
Natural timber and some furniture finishes can change colour over time through exposure to sunlight. Avoid prolonged strong direct sunlight to help reduce uneven fading.
How should I look after an extending dining table?
Keep extension mechanisms clean and free from dust or debris. Operate extensions gently and ensure the table is on a level surface. Avoid forcing moving parts, and make sure extension leaves are properly aligned before use.
What should I do if something spills on the table?
Wipe up the spill promptly with a soft cloth and dry the affected area. For marks that remain, use a cleaning method appropriate to the furniture's finish.
Avoid abrasive pads, strong solvents and vigorous scrubbing, which can damage the surface.
Need further help?
For a problem not covered by this guide, you can contact our furniture studio using the link below.
Contact us