Hardwood Care Instructions
Solid wood furniture asks very little of you. A damp rag, a little common sense about heat and a room that is neither a sauna nor a desert will keep a Parkman piece looking right for decades. Below is everything we know about caring for the two finishes we use, plus the powder coated steel on our bases. Pick the section that matches your piece. If you are not sure which finish you have, email us and we will tell you.
Hard wax oil (most of our hardwood furniture)
Most of our hardwood pieces are finished in OSMO Polyx Oil, with Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C used on some pieces for color. Both are hard wax oils, which soak into the grain and cure inside the wood. That is why the surface feels like wood under your hand and why small marks can be repaired without refinishing the whole piece.
The first 30 days
Hard wax oil keeps curing for about 30 days after we apply it. During that month, treat the piece gently. Use coasters for every drink, including cold and room temperature ones, and wipe up spills right away. After that, go nuts.
Everyday cleaning
Less is more. A damp cloth handles nearly everything. For something stickier, add a touch of mild dish soap to the water, but do not soak the wood. For a stubborn mess, a green Scotch-Brite pad with water and dish soap and light pressure will take care of it. Skip steel wool and anything else abrasive, since those will scratch the finish.
Liquids
The finish is designed to resist rings, stains and other surface residue. Once the 30 day cure is behind you, cold and room temperature drinks can sit directly on the wood without coasters. Liquids left standing on the surface for 12 to 24 hours can damage the finish, so wipe up the puddle under the ice bucket before bed. Check the bottom rim of vases and planters for moisture before setting them down.
Heat
Heat is the one thing this finish does not like. Never set a hot pot, pan or baking dish directly on the wood. A trivet, pad or folded towel underneath is plenty of protection. Coasters are a good idea under hot coffee and tea mugs, because long stretches of heat can leave a ring or a mark.
Maintenance
None of this is required. Your furniture will last just as long if you never do any of it. If you want to bring back the original sheen, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner conditions the wood nicely. OSMO makes a Wash and Care spray for everyday cleaning and a Maintenance Oil for heavy use surfaces like a dining table that sees three meals a day. Rubio makes a Renew oil for the same job. Both manufacturers suggest a fresh coat of their product every 3 to 5 years for normal use, or every 1 to 2 years for heavy use. We are happy to talk you through it or do it for you.
Things to keep away from it
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will strip the finish right off, so never use one. Never apply any wax. Skip oil soaps, anything with ammonia, window cleaners like Windex, kitchen counter sprays and any furniture polish containing silicone, such as Pledge. Water, mild soap and the maintenance products above are the only things we recommend putting on an indoor hardwood piece.
Scratches
Hard wax oil holds up well against day to day scrapes, but it is still wood. Dragging a hard or sharp object across the surface will leave a mark. If a piece picks up a deep scratch or real damage, we are happy to quote a refinish.
Cracks and seasonal movement
Solid wood expands and contracts as the humidity in your home changes through the year. Small hairline cracks of up to 2mm or 1/16 inch can appear and are completely normal. They do not affect the strength or lifespan of the piece. To keep movement to a minimum, hold your home between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity, with a humidifier in dry months or a dehumidifier in very humid ones. If a larger crack or anything structural ever shows up, contact us.
Conversion varnish (reclaimed Douglas fir and some indoor pieces)
Our reclaimed Douglas fir furniture, and the occasional hardwood piece, is finished in General Finishes water based conversion varnish. It is a commercial grade coating and one of the most durable finishes available. The care routine is nearly identical to the one above, with a few differences worth knowing.
Everyday cleaning
The rules are the same. Use a damp cloth for regular cleaning, a little mild soap such as Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile if needed, and a green Scotch-Brite pad with light pressure for stubborn spots. No steel wool or abrasives.
Liquids and heat
The finish is designed to resist water rings, wine stains and other surface residue, so cold and room temperature drinks do not need coasters during normal use. Liquids left on the surface for 12 to 24 hours can still do damage, so wipe them up. Heat is the finish's greatest vulnerability. Never put a pot or pan straight from the oven or range onto the wood. A pad or towel underneath is enough for short periods, and coasters are a good idea under hot coffee and tea mugs.
Scratches
Old growth reclaimed Douglas fir is one of the hardest softwoods you can build furniture from, and the varnish protects well against everyday scrapes. Hard or sharp objects pressed or dragged into the surface will still leave marks, so treat it with the same care you would any wood.
Cracks and seasonal movement
The surface cracks and checks in reclaimed wood are part of what you paid for, and they will open and close slightly with the seasons. Gaps of up to 2mm or 1/16 inch are completely normal and do not affect the strength of the piece. If anything structural ever comes up, contact us.
Conditioning
If you would like to bring back the original shine of the varnish, polish it with a pH neutral cleaner such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It is purely cosmetic and the piece will last just as long without it.
Things to keep away from it
The list is the same as above, with one addition. Never use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, never apply wax and avoid oil based conditioners entirely on this finish. Skip oil soaps, ammonia, window cleaners, counter sprays and silicone polishes like Pledge.
Powder coated steel
The steel on our bases and frames is colored with a commercial grade powder coating, one of the most durable finishes available for steel. It needs no upkeep. Over years of use some surface scratching can show up. If you would ever like the coating renewed or changed to a new color, we can have it done at cost.
Questions
Email furniture@parkmanwoodworks.com or call 213-275-2355 with any question about your piece. We are always glad to hear from you. For what is and is not covered if something goes wrong, see our warranty.