How to Care for Living Room Furniture and More? On Differences and Maintenance
Wooden Furniture – Types and Proper Cleaning
If you’re a fan of the natural look of furniture for the living room, bedroom, or office, you’ve likely considered wooden tabletops or solid wood legs in your arrangements or plans. It’s no surprise—these are timeless and aesthetically pleasing solutions. However, it’s worth knowing more about the standard borcas collection and custom made-to-order furniture, so that proper care can translate into durability and a flawless appearance. In this article, you’ll learn how to clean wooden tabletops, what veneer and solid wood are, and discover the differences between lacquering and oiling.
Skog desk with an oak veneer top and white legs (RAL 9003) from the Oslo collection.
Made-to-Order Furniture in Solid Wood and Veneer
Extra durable and sturdy furniture is often produced using veneer board and solid wood. Their popularity is growing both in Poland and abroad, primarily because they’re more durable compared to, for example, standard particleboard. Veneer is a thin, natural wood layer applied directly onto a wooden furniture board. Meanwhile, solid wood furniture is made entirely of natural material after processing and proper impregnation.
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Properly protected wooden tabletops resist mechanical damage, including cracks and scratches, making them perfect for everyday use. Their high-quality materials also ensure a great look. Solid wood furniture or veneered pieces feature truly exceptional finishes. Even if you have two seemingly identical solid wood tables, each will differ in its unique wood grain and slight variations in tone. This means that wood furniture has a one-of-a-kind character.
Solid oak in the Troost nightstand, finished with a semi-matte lacquer
As a wooden furniture manufacturer, we work with full dedication to every detail, sourcing all wood from local suppliers. Once the furniture is in use, caring for it becomes crucial. Above all, wooden furniture should be kept in a dry place, away from abrupt temperature or humidity changes. Placing a wooden dresser right next to a radiator is never a good idea.
How to Clean Solid Wood and Veneer Furniture?
Many of you wonder before and after purchasing: “How do I clean Scandinavian-style furniture made of solid wood and veneer?” The answer is actually quite simple. Use a soft, dry cloth (preferably microfiber) to remove dust from the wooden surface or legs. For deeper stains, you can use products specifically designed for cleaning wood. Never spray cleaning products directly onto the tabletop or wood furniture surface. Instead, apply a small amount of wood cleaner onto a cloth. Also avoid excessive moisture, which can lead to the wood “swelling.”
The wooden Troost nightstand, made entirely of solid wood
Lacquered or Oiled?
When buying wooden furniture, you’ll encounter two ways of protecting it against external factors—oiling or lacquering. If you want to preserve the natural look of wood, go for oiling. This deepens and intensifies the color, highlighting the grain with a slightly rustic feel. While oiled wooden furniture is durable, one drawback is that the effect is not permanent. In the case of small imperfections, you’ll need to apply another coat of oil. The wood itself becomes less resistant to scratches or wear. Without regular maintenance, it won’t look appealing. Daily care of oiled furniture is quite simple: use a damp cloth, and for bigger stains, choose special soap meant for oiled surfaces. Reapplying wood oil at least once a year is also important.
Oiling solid wood in our workshop
Lacquered wooden furniture is a different story. We, as a manufacturer, prefer to finish our tabletops with semi-matte lacquer. Why? A high-gloss surface can reflect too much light, while a completely matte surface can look dull. Semi-matte wood lacquer has a more natural appearance. That’s not the only advantage. Wood lacquer can serve a decorative purpose by covering the surface with a subtle sheen, making it a great choice if you’re unsure how to refresh furniture. Additionally, lacquer seals and impregnates the wood, creating a protective layer against scratches or discoloration. Lacquers for wood also close the pores in solid wood, making the piece more structurally sound, so you don’t have to worry about the wood cracking over time. We sometimes use acrylic lacquer as a clear base coat. For lacquered furniture, never use products containing acetone, ammonia, or alcohol, as these can damage the wood. Also skip abrasive sponges and brushes. After wiping with a damp cloth, remember to dry the surface thoroughly, perhaps with a microfiber cloth.
Veneered tabletop finished with lacquer on the Fjord desk from the Oslo collection
Natural, Whitewashed, and Aged Oak – What Do These Mean?
Within the borcas furniture range, you’ll see labels such as whitewashed oak, natural oak, and aged oak. What exactly do they mean, and how do they differ visually? Whitewashed oak is in line with current furniture-production trends—modern and stylish. Pieces with a whitewashed oak finish look very natural and fit both Scandinavian and even glamour-inspired interiors. Meanwhile, natural oak displays the wood’s authentic character, with clearly visible grain and a truly unique surface texture. Another interesting option is aged oak, which enhances the wood’s organic qualities and blends easily with more traditional interiors, too. We achieve these shades using specialized wood stains. As for maintenance, it’s essentially the same as for other borcas furniture: simply wipe with a damp cloth and then dry thoroughly.
Vogel S desk from the Amsterdam collection, with a solid oak top and solid beech legs in black (RAL 9004)
Vogel S desk from the Amsterdam collection, whitewashed oak top and solid beech legs in white (RAL 9003)
5 Natural Oak
7 Whitewashed Oak
21 Aged Oak
See All of Borcas’s Furniture Finish Options in Our e-Swatch
Now you know the different types of wood and how to care for them so you can enjoy your solid wood or veneered furniture for a long time. We hope this clears up any doubts. We also invite you to check out our collection of unique Scandinavian furniture for your interior. If you have any questions, feel free to reach us by phone or email.
