CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR
SOLID WOOD FURNITURE
Lock & Mortice furniture is produced in accordance with the highest standards of design and manufacturing. We expect you will have our furniture for a very long time, so caring for it is important. We are honoured to have our furniture in your space—thank you for your purchase.
Solid wood is a natural product—it varies in colour and grain depending on the origin of the tree. This means there will be colour variations, patterns, even knots in your piece, and we hope you join us in celebrating the uniqueness of this incredible natural material. You may have heard wood referred to as a living material, and it is in the sense that it responds to its environment. The technical term for this is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air.
In warmer months, wood absorbs moisture and expands, while in colder months it expels moisture and contracts or shrinks. What does this mean for your furniture? You can expect slight shifts in size, although this is typically unnoticeable. Occasionally, small cracks develop, especially during the transition periods with high temperature and humidity fluctuations. To mitigate this, we recommend a room temperature of 18 °C to 24 °C and a constant humidity of 50-60%. In the dry and cold winter months, avoid allowing the relative humidity to drop below 40%. Solid wood may be subject to colour change under the influence of some types of artificial light and UV rays (especially sunlight). Generally, lighter woods tend to become darker with age, whereas darker woods fade. This is a natural process, not a defect, and we recommend not leaving decorative items in one spot and unmoved for long periods as the colour won't change evenly under them.
We also recommend that the piece of furniture never be placed near or underneath heat sources, such as an infrared heating system or a fireplace, as this can lead to severe dehydration and increased potential for cracks in the wood.
Solid wood furniture is beautiful and elegant, but it's also tough and resistant. With a few simple measures, you can enjoy it without worry or fuss.
There are three main types of care when it comes to your solid wood table: preventative care, maintenance, and rescue.
PREVENTATIVE CARE
The best thing to do to ensure that your furniture lives on as an heirloom piece is to implement preventative care from day one. Our main recommendation is to clean spills and stains immediately. This will prevent the formation of major marks.
Regularly wipe down the whole surface, not just your favorite spot that gets the most use. In fact, if one end or area gets significantly more use than another, rotate the piece every once in a while. And if one spot is more exposed to light or if the light hits the piece in a consistent pattern, rotate it periodically as well.
EVERYDAY MAINTENANCE
Solid wood furniture is almost indestructible. With proper care, its quality and beauty can be easily maintained. The patina, which will develop over time, will add to the natural beauty of the material.
Similar to high-quality leather, the more consistent you are with care, the better it will wear. For daily care, we recommend using a well-wrung cloth moistened with clean water, chemical-free natural cleaners, or mild dish soap. A Norwex cloth and water will clean better than many products, and it's what we use in our own homes and showroom. A refreshing spray can also add an extra layer of protection, just refrain from products with harsh chemicals. A good rule is, if you wouldn't use it on your face, don't wipe it on your table. To remove excess moisture from the surface, wipe with a dry cloth.
Our finishes have been formulated to mimic natural wood tones using a state-of-the-art natural, food-safe hard wax finish. This means it's safe for the environment and your family, and it doesn't require harsh chemicals or furniture polish, as these will ruin the finish. Avoid placing hot items on the wood, and be aware that candle wax and some spices may stain the surface.
Small signs of use are normal and part of the natural wear. As long as spills are cleaned up quickly, regular maintenance should allow your table to age gracefully.
RESCUING AND REFINISHING
If a major stain, burn, or something else has happened to your wooden furniture, there are some things that can be done to rescue your beloved piece.
The most important thing to remember is that if a stain has set in one specific spot, do not scrub it. Scrubbing forces water into the pores of the wood, which only aggravates the problem. There are different methods of cleaning for different stains, so the best thing to do is to contact a professional that works with solid wood.
If hot wax has dripped or spilled onto your table surface, allow it to cool, scrape it off with a non-metal scraper, then place an old rag or craft paper over the wax and iron it on low heat until the rag or paper absorbs the wax.
For big stains, burns, or other major issues, the options are light sanding and refinishing by a professional. Check your warranty and see what's available, and, if possible, talk to the original manufacturer. Regardless of how comfortable you are with wood materials, refinishing a solid wood piece requires precision and expertise to avoid worsening the situation.
We hope you enjoy your Lock and Mortice furniture! Cherish and use it freely. Choosing a piece made from some of the hardest hardwoods in North America means you can confidently welcome the passage of time.
