When it comes to purchasing an extendable dining table for your home, the material factors in the long run. Nobody wants to change and set up new ones every few years; therefore, look out for sturdiness and durability. Your dining table must stand the test of time, and while it is crucial to invest in quality material, what matters more would be how you take care of it. Most homeowners opt for wood because of how structurally strong it is, while MDF, plywood sags with time. Functional pieces are designed for comfort and style, Admish dining tables are exceptional, providing essential elements for living spaces, such as seating, storage, and surfaces.
Wooden tables might be sturdy, but, after all, they are natural products that need appropriate maintenance to keep their lustre and appearance. One important aspect to consider is the best way to attach legs to table, ensuring stability and longevity. Here are some tips on how you can easily take care of your wooden table.
How To Protect Your Wooden Dining Table?
With time, any product would show wear and tear, and dining tables are nothing different. There are minor things you could do daily that will drastically help protect the wood for a long time.
- Keep It Away from Heat: When you are considering the space to fit your dining table, consider the objects that would surround it and whether there is a nearby heat source or not. If there is a radiator within 1-2 metres, it could potentially destroy the integrity of your wooden table structure.
Direct heat causes the wooden structure to shrink, and this could be problematic, especially if you have an extendable dining table. You do not want your wooden dining table to shrink or crack.
- Keep It Away From Direct Sunlight: Your wooden dining table should be positioned away from direct sunlight, as again, the sun could cause splits and cracks, ruining the whole structure of the table. Direct sunlight also causes discoloration of the wooden tone.
If there is no other space where you could fit it, make sure to draw the blinds so that prolonged sun rays do not fall on the table. You could even opt for a UV-resistant tabletop finish if you have the budget.
- Keep It Away from Moisture: Moisture can be a huge culprit in destroying your wooden dining table. As it is a dining table, food and liquid are bound to spill; however, you must clean the space immediately because when left on, it would get absorbed and break the finish and the wood grains.
It could leave permanent watermarks and cause swelling in the worst-case scenario. It is also recommended to use coasters and placemats when dining to avoid sharp cutlery from creating scratch marks or gauging the dining table.
Do not place piping hot mugs, pots, or plates on the table directly to prevent any burn marks from damaging the table. If you have kids at home, covering the table is advisable. This could also be done when you have guests coming over to avoid any irreparable damage from occurring.
Most of the wooden dining tables now come with a wax or oil finish and require treatment every six months if possible. Go for natural wax. Lastly, be careful when cleaning your table. Do not purchase and use any harsh chemical, one with silicone, as it could damage the wooden table finish.
How To Clean Your Wooden Table?
A table is a place that would be frequented by your family daily during mealtimes, family discussion, and just to have a good laugh. When it comes to cleaning your wooden tables, you have to be careful as to go for products that do not contain any harsh chemicals that could break the top and destroy the wood or cause any kind of swelling. This kind of damage is irreversible, and then you would have nothing to do.
Cleaning Your Wooden Table with Vinegar
Most of the dining tables now come with oil or wax top finish or lacquer; therefore, here are some tips to help you clean your table thoroughly every time.
- Get some warm water in a bowl, and then add a few tablespoons of white vinegar to it. Remember, vinegar is acidic; therefore, it should be diluted before you use it. The acidity is what helps in cleaning and disinfecting the dining table after spilling any food or liquid.
However, the right ratio is important, that is, one tablespoon of white vinegar to one cup of warm or lukewarm water. For oil and wax finish, limit yourself to a maximum of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, while for varnish or lacquer, you could add another spoon.
- Use non-abrasive, soft microfiber because rough-textured washing cloth could damage the wood. If your wooden dining table comes with a definite texture, then go for a thistle brush to clean the top before you apply the warm water and vinegar solution.
- After you have cleaned the table with white vinegar and water, take the same cloth and wipe the table again with clean water to remove any white vinegar residue or any dust or dirt particles. After the whole cleaning process, get a dry, soft cloth and wipe the table thoroughly as soon as possible.
If you do not have white vinegar at hand, use mild liquid soap; however, clean away any residue by wiping it with a dry cloth. Get your table polished after every few years to maintain its shine and lustre.
How To Fix Scratches on The Wooden Dining Table?
A scratch or two might not make a huge difference, but with time, your table is bound to undergo wear and tear. Invest in a wood filler that matches the wooden notes of your table to fill in any deep scratch. Another DIY hack would be to use a putty knife or even a credit card to smoothen the surface and get rid of any excess wood filler. After this, make sure to add some wax or oil.
Wooden dining tables, to maintain their longevity, require your care and maintenance. Wrapping up, this kind of guide would give you detailed information on how you should be taking care of your wooden dining table. These steps could even be applied to other wooden furniture.