Care and Maintenance

Sold Timber Care

Our Solid Timber furniture are natural products, as such each product will vary slightly due to the natural grain and knots.  All of our timber pieces have a protective coating. These can vary from a PU to natural osmo oil finish, as is the case for the Ethnicraft Oak range.  For exact product details please contact us.

Solid timber may expand and contract due to varying temperature conditions. This is normal and often part of a piece’s character. To minimise movement, solid furniture should not be placed outside (unless it is a specified outdoor product), in direct sunlight, or in heavily air-conditioned areas.

To care for your solid timber:

• Wipe the surface with a damp cloth, then dry with a soft clean cloth to prevent spotting.
• Wipe up any spills immediately.  If the liquid or substance are left to penetrate the wood, the furniture will eventually get stained.
• If you choose to polish your furniture with a product/solvent, you should always try it out on a small inconspicuous area first
• We recommend using water and natural soap rather than harsh detergents, for cleaning.

• General Rule: If it’s too hot to hold in your hand, it’s too hot to put directly on the timber.  Use coasters & protectors where possible

Ethnicraft OAK

For the Ethnicraft OAK collections the timber is sourced from well managed forests in Europe. The oak furniture is finished with a pigmented hardwax oil. This protective finish forms a natural coating, repelling most common substances and fluids, but is no foolproof guarantee against stains.

For daily care

• For regular dusting, use a dry, non-fluffy cloth
• For cleaning, use a damp sponge or cloth (not too wet!) with a mild solution of water and natural soap (no detergent) Cleaning & refreshing the surface
• For refreshing the surface of the furniture when the wood starts to feel dry or for removing stains, Ethnicraft recommends Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner* (3029). Do not use this product daily. The Liquid Wax Cleaner is no guarantee against stains.
• Through time and depending on wear, the original hardwax coating on the furniture may need to be renewed. Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Use extra fine sand paper (minimum 320 grit) and work in the direction of the wood grain, then apply the Osmo Hardwax Oil Natural (3041). The oil protection is no guarantee against stains.

Ethnicraft Teak

Our Ethnicraft Teak collection comes without a finish, or any kind of protective treatment. The wood is merely polished, allowing the natural oils to rise to the surface. The high density of teak has the advantage that stains stay on the surface and do not penetrate into the wood easily.

For daily care  

• For regular dusting, use a dry, non-fluffy cloth •
• For cleaning, use a damp – not too wet – sponge or cloth with a mild solution of water and natural soap (no detergent). Frequent cleaning with a natural soap solution will gradually build up a protective layer: as the wood absorbs the soap, it will become more stain repellant.

Preventive treatment

• If you want to protect the wood from the start, give your furniture a protective coating. We recommend Osmo Hardwax Oil, clear mat (3062).
• This finish seals the pores of the timber, forming a natural protection.
• Even then stains and marks should be removed immediately. If the liquid or substance are left to penetrate the wood, the furniture will eventually get stained.
• This product will darken the wood slightly! Stubborn stains
• Use extra fine sand paper (minimum 320 grit) in the direction of the wood grain and apply the Osmo Hardwax Oil, clear mat (3062).

Rugs

Vacuum dirt/dust out once a week with a motorised head.

Spot clean any spills with a mild soap and cold water by diluting the spill, using a small amount of soap then dilute again.
Be sure to absorb as much liquid as possible to avoid water marking – do this by using an absorbent material on either side of the rug to absorb from the front and the back. Do not clean using chemicals – it will strip the dye and compromise the weave.

Rotate  often so it wears evenly, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible