Caring for Wooden Interior Pieces So They Last

Having wooden interior pieces in a room brings a certain sense of calm.

But if you keep using them without paying attention to their care, they can quietly gather dust or dry out and become brittle. Solid wood interior goods and furniture in particular are vulnerable to water, which can make it hard to know how best to care for them.

This time, we'll use a care wax made from natural ingredients to look after some wooden items our staff use and love.

The Difference Between Coated and Uncoated Wood

Wooden products fall into two categories: those whose surface has been treated with oil, wax, urethane coating, or the like, and those that are left uncoated (solid, untreated wood).

▼Coated

For example, if a piece of furniture's instructions mention "oil finish," it means the surface has been treated with an oil (usually plant-based) that has soaked into the wood. An oil finish is a type of coating, but unlike chemical coatings, it doesn't form a strong film on the surface—instead, the oil penetrates deep into the wood itself.

Because it doesn't create a thick oil film on the surface, an oil finish doesn't interfere with the wood's ability to "breathe." On humid days the wood absorbs moisture, and when the air is dry it releases moisture. This is the defining characteristic of an oil finish: it protects the surface with oil while still allowing the wood to retain its natural breathing function.

While an oil finish is a highly penetrating type of coating, there are other coated finishes that create a much firmer surface coating. One common example found in everyday goods is "urethane coating." This finish involves applying polyurethane resin to the wood's surface, and because it coats the surface, it has benefits such as covering over irregularities in the wood grain, increasing water and heat resistance, and improving scratch resistance.

▼Uncoated

In contrast to coated products treated with an "oil finish" or "urethane coating," items without such treatments are referred to as untreated or uncoated. The main purpose of coating is to prevent scratches and stains by forming a film on the surface, so uncoated products are, conversely, more prone to scratches and stains and more vulnerable to water. That said, precisely because no coating is applied, uncoated wood lets you directly experience the appeal of wood in its natural, unadorned state—a quality unique to uncoated pieces.

Wood is a material that breathes by absorbing and releasing moisture from the air, meaning it constantly expands and contracts. If left completely untreated in an environment with large swings in temperature and humidity for a long time, the wood will breathe in response to those conditions, which can lead to cracks, splits, or warping. It's best to care for it regularly using maintenance products suitable for solid wood.

Polish and Wax

Now let's take a look at the oils and waxes used to care for wooden products.

◇Kenntliger Möbelpolitur

Kenntliger Möbelpolitur is a polish for wooden products made entirely from natural ingredients.

It can be used not only on coated and uncoated wooden products, but also on plastic, linoleum, and even metal and leather goods. It gently removes dirt while offering both protective and polishing effects. Having just one bottle on hand is very convenient, since it works across such a wide range of materials.

・Can be used on both coated and uncoated surfaces.
・Gentle protection and shine
・Usable on wood as well as metal and leather.

Notes
Because it's a liquid that soaks in easily, applying it unevenly may cause streaking.
Beginners may find the application technique a bit tricky. Apply a small amount at a time, spreading it thin and working it into the wood.

◇Kenntliger Pflegewachs

When used on uncoated wooden products or flooring, it provides both protection and shine. For areas prone to water exposure or high humidity, applying two or more coats can offer even greater protective benefits.

・A wax suited to uncoated wooden products
・As a solid wax, it's easy to control how much you apply

Notes
Not suitable for use on coated flooring or furniture, as the wax may dissolve the coating.

Before and After Care

Here's an idea of how the polish and wax feel, respectively.
The polish has a smooth, runny texture and a faint tint of color. The wax, on the other hand, is firm inside the tin, but softens once you take some onto your finger, making it easy to apply. Both have a distinctive scent, so be sure to ventilate the room well while using them.

Here's how solid wood looks after a light application of wax and polish. The wax spread easily and could be evenly applied with a finger. The polish soaked in quickly, which made it a bit tricky to spread without unevenness, but once it dried, the unevenness wasn't very noticeable.

The way each product soaks in differs depending on the wood's material and condition, so when caring for a piece, it's best to test it on an inconspicuous spot before applying it more broadly.

Next, here are comparison photos of before and after care. The photo shows a single coat of Kenntliger Möbelpolitur applied.

The result varies depending on whether you apply one coat or two, and on how thoroughly it dries, but caring for wood with polish or wax tends to deepen its color slightly, much like when it's wet with water.

Make Care Part of Your Everyday Routine

We tried caring for a wooden interior item that our staff actually uses and loves. The piece we maintained was the Step Up Box from Oak Village (Oak Village).

This storage box is made from domestic nara (oak) wood and finished with plant oil, so for maintenance we used Kendringer Möbel Politur.

Caring for a three-dimensional piece of furniture turned out to be more time-consuming than expected. In particular, storage items like this one have a lot of nooks and crannies, which made it tricky to apply the polish evenly. Actually doing the maintenance also gave us a chance to notice dirt and dust that had accumulated inside.

Polish and wax don't need to be applied all that often, but simply wiping the surface regularly as part of your daily routine should be enough to keep it looking beautiful.

This time, we introduced how to care for wooden interior items. Beyond interior goods, there are all kinds of wooden products in everyday life, from tableware to toys.

The care methods differ depending on the item's use—whether it touches your mouth, or is used by children, for example—but what they all have in common is the idea of "caring for it yourself so you can love it for a long time." As the characters suggest, "otei-ire" (maintenance) literally means "putting your hand to it." As the new-life season approaches, there will likely be many occasions to bring wooden interior pieces into your home.
When that time comes, why not try caring for it with your own hands?

And there's more. Reading material related to wooden products.

▼Wooden toys: care for them and love them for years to come