The solid wood table is the heart of your dining room. It stays firmly on the floor, does not shift easily, provides support, and creates a rustic feeling. Your beautiful wooden table will still look chic in 50 years, provided it is properly cared for and protected. In this article, we would like to show you how best to protect your table from stains and damage!
6th place: Pay attention to dry air
Excessive humidity not only promotes mold growth but can also damage your wooden furniture in the long run. A lot of steam is often generated while cooking and serving. Therefore, it is important to ensure sufficient ventilation. At the latest, when moisture condenses on windows or small droplets form on smooth surfaces, it is time to ventilate. Also, always make sure to cook with the extractor hood turned on.
5th place: Protect the feet
The feet of a wooden table are particularly sensitive because friction with the floor often leads to damage to the wood. In addition, the floor, especially in the kitchen, is often wet. This means the feet of your table are often in contact with water for too long, which is very bad for the material. A simple solution for this is plastic sleeves, which you attach to the legs of your table to protect the feet from moisture and friction. In an emergency, you can also use simple coasters made of plastic or cardboard.
4th place: Protection against bruises & scratches
It is most difficult to remove bruises and scratches. These can only be removed by sanding & planing, and even then only if they are not too deep. To avoid scratches and dents, you should use heavy cotton tablecloths. Never place pots and large bowls directly on the table, but always on heat-insulating, soft pads. Also, make use of drink coasters and placemats.
3rd place: Varnishing or oiling
A varnished table is generally better protected than an oiled one, but the oiled table often looks better and more natural. Whichever variant you choose, you should always use the right care product when maintaining your table. Varnished tables can usually be wiped with water and you can even use a little soap. Oiled tables, on the other hand, should come into contact with less moisture; here it pays off to brush them off.
2nd place: The two-tablecloth strategy
To optimally protect your table, it is best to combine two tablecloths: on top, use a heavy, soft full-ply cotton tablecloth that protects against dents and heat; underneath, you can place an inexpensive waterproof oilcloth (you can find an example of this here), which protects the table against moisture.
1st place: Avoid heat stains & standing water stains
Large white stains on a dark natural wood table are a real disaster. These occur when you place hot objects, such as a cooking pot, on the table with little or no insulation. To avoid this situation, it pays to invest in cork coasters. Make sure you have a sufficient number in different sizes.
