How to Care for Oak Bedroom Furniture: Tips for Longevity

Oak bedroom furniture boasts exceptional durability, strength, and resistance for your sleeping quarters. Adding a real design style to any bedroom with its warm and robust aesthetic. But did you know Oak bedroom furniture offers more than just looks alone? It is also resistant to moisture, mould and pests, ensuring longevity and reliability alongside a quality mattress, making it one of the toughest materials for bedroom furniture.

Oaks’ warm hues and distinct grain patterns provide timeless elegance and marry up with a wide range of interior design styles. Whilst oak furniture is tough, some monthly TLC will help ensure your furniture looks its best. This bedroom guide will show you how to keep your oak bedroom furniture looking fabulous for years to come!

1. Understanding Oak Wood Furniture

• Oak is a hardwood known for its strength, durability, and distinctive grain patterns.
• It’s naturally resistant to moisture, decay, and pests, making it ideal for furniture construction.

Before we dive into looking after your furniture, let’s take a moment to understand why oak is such a popular material for bed frames, bed bases, bedside tables and bedroom furniture.

Oak stands out as a suitable choice for bedroom furniture due to its longevity, making it a favourite among homeowners and interior designers alike. Understanding the unique properties of oak wood is the first step in caring for your bedroom furniture effectively.

One of the most compelling reasons for selecting oak is its inherent durability and strength. Oak is a hardwood renowned for its robust nature, ensuring that furniture crafted from it remains sturdy and resilient for years to come. Oak bedroom furniture can take pretty much anything you or your children can throw at it!

This durability makes oak furniture a reliable investment in the bedroom, with pieces capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear without losing structural integrity. Even if the oak gets scratched, chipped or damaged, this wood can be sanded down, treated and repaired with relative ease compared to man-made bedroom furniture or veneered furniture.

Beyond its durability, oak possesses a natural resistance to humidity, further enhancing its suitability for bedroom furniture. This resistance means that oak pieces are less susceptible to damage from spills, dampness, and insect infestations, providing peace of mind for sleepers concerned about long-term maintenance and upkeep.

Additionally, oak’s resistance to deterioration compared to other materials makes it particularly well-suited for bedroom environments where fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels may be present. It doesn’t warp, mould or degrade as quickly as MDF, Plywood, engineered wood or veneered chipboard furniture.

2. Dusting and Cleaning

• Regular dusting is key to preventing dirt and debris from accumulating on the surface of your oak furniture.
• Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals that can damage the finish or strip away the natural oils of the wood.

Caring for oak bedroom furniture ensures it can last a lifetime and also maintains its natural beauty by keeping the wood hydrated and polished. If you don’t regularly ‘feed’ your oak with a suitable polish, it turns dull, can crack and look lacklustre. Polishing your furniture also helps bounce light around your bedroom, making it feel brighter and more welcoming.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to looking after your oak bedroom furniture with a few simple store cupboard items and some elbow grease!

i) Dusting Bedroom Furniture

Regular dusting prevents the accumulation of dirt and debris on the surface of the furniture. Use a soft, dry cloth or a microfiber duster to remove dust from the surface gently and crevices of the wood.

Wet dusting is also an option for people with a dust allergy or asthma. Use one damp microfibre cloth to wipe down the oak surfaces and another dry cloth to remove any leftover moisture.

The wet dusting method helps trap dust rather than simply moving it around the room.

ii) Cleaning oak

Periodically clean your oak furniture with a mild, pH-balanced wood cleaner or a solution of water and vinegar. Alternatively, a mild mix of washing-up liquid (1 part detergent to 40 parts water) provides a cleaning spray to remove stains or marks without stripping the oak of its natural oils.

Dampen a soft cloth with the cleaning solution and gently wipe the surface of the furniture, following the direction of the wood grain. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.

iii) Protecting Bedroom Furniture from Damage

Place coasters, placemats, or protective pads under items to prevent water rings, heat damage, and scratches. Avoid placing hot or wet items directly on the furniture’s surface, as this can damage the finish. Hot cups and plates will cause the oak’s lacquer to turn white as it heats up.

If this happens, remove the hot item and let the wood cool down; it usually returns to normal. However, it’s always worthwhile preventing this.  If you leave hot items on too long, it can cause the polish and varnish to be damaged forever, requiring full sand down and varnish treatment.

3. Polishing and Conditioning Oak Furniture

• Oak wood furniture benefits from occasional polishing and conditioning to restore its natural lustre and nourish the wood.
• Repeat the polishing process each month, but avoid over-polishing, as this can lead to a buildup of product residue.

Apply a high-quality wood polish or conditioner specifically formulated for oak furniture to restore its natural lustre and nourish the wood. At John Ryan by Design, we use a beeswax furniture spray, which is excellent at repelling dust and leaving a durable gloss finish to our oak.

Use a soft cloth to apply the polish in circular motions, allowing it to penetrate the wood. Leave the polish on for a few minutes before buffing the surface to a shine with a separate, clean, dry cloth.

Other types of Oak Polish

Several types of furniture polish are suitable for oak furniture depending on the level of gloss shine you are looking for, smell and duration of the protective finish of the wax. As John Ryan by Design, we always prefer natural wax such as beeswax to polish and treat our bedroom furniture as it lasts the longest.

i) Beeswax Polish

Beeswax polish is a natural option that enhances the natural beauty of oak while providing a protective layer against moisture and dust. It nourishes the wood and adds a subtle sheen to the surface. It is one of the best polish types for oak furniture and is long-lasting.

ii) Carnauba Wax Polish

Carnauba wax polish is known for its high gloss finish and excellent protective properties. It creates a durable barrier that shields oak furniture from moisture, scratches, and stains. If you want a super high shine, this is the polish for you!

iii) Oil-based Polish

Oil-based polishes, such as linseed oil or tung oil, penetrate deep into the wood, nourishing it from within and enhancing its natural colour and grain. They provide long-lasting protection against drying and cracking. They also add a gorgeous aroma to your bedroom. However, oil-based polishes need to be handled with care as too much tends to cause the wood to raise its grain, making it feel rough.

iv) Silicone-based Polish

Silicone-based polishes offer a quick and easy way to add shine to oak furniture. They create a glossy finish and provide temporary protection against dust and fingerprints. However, they do build up quickly if used too often.

v) Water-based Polish

Water-based polishes are eco-friendly options that contain fewer harsh chemicals. They provide a gentle cleaning and conditioning effect, restoring the lustre of oak furniture without leaving behind a greasy residue. You need to use water-based furniture polish more frequently as it’s not as intensive for bedroom furniture.

How often should I polish my bedroom furniture?

As a rule of thumb, look to polish your bedroom furniture every month. If you polish too frequently, layers of polish can build up, making the furniture greasy and slippy to use. Excess polish also opens up the grain of the wood as it saturates it. Resulting in your oak furniture having a rough texture until it dries out and the grain contracts again.

How to make your own oak furniture polish

If you’re sensitive to chemicals or simply want to reduce your carbon footprint, why not consider making your own natural furniture polish at home? All you need is a few common ingredients, and you’ll be brewing up some fantastic natural polish without spending a penny!

Making homemade furniture polish is a straightforward and environmentally friendly way to care for your oak furniture while avoiding the harsh chemicals found in many commercial polishes. Here’s a more detailed recipe for homemade furniture polish:

Ingredients for Furniture Polish

• 1/4 cup of white vinegar: Vinegar is a mild acid that effectively cuts through grease, grime, and residue without damaging the wood.
• 3/4 cup of olive oil or vegetable oil: Olive oil or vegetable oil nourishes and moisturizes the wood, restoring its natural lustre and preventing it from drying out or cracking.
• Optional: 10-15 drops of essential oil: Essential oils add a pleasant fragrance to the polish and offer additional benefits. For example, lemon essential oil has antibacterial properties, lavender essential oil has a calming effect, and orange essential oil is invigorating, allowing you to choose a fragrance that works for you!

Instructions

1. In a small bowl or container, combine the white vinegar and olive oil. The vinegar acts as a natural cleaner, while the oil conditions and protects the wood.
2. If desired, add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil to the mixture. Experiment with different scents to find one that you enjoy and that complements the natural aroma of the wood.
3. Stir or shake the ingredients vigorously to ensure they are well-mixed. The vinegar and oil may separate over time, so be sure to mix the polish each time before use.
4. To apply the homemade furniture polish, dip a soft cloth or microfiber cloth into the mixture and wring out any excess liquid.
5. Gently rub the polish onto the surface of your oak furniture, following the direction of the wood grain. Apply a thin, even layer to avoid streaks or buildup.
6. Allow the polish to penetrate the wood for a few minutes, allowing the oil to nourish and condition the surface.
7. Using a clean, dry cloth, buff the surface of the furniture in circular motions to remove any excess polish and reveal a natural shine.
8. Repeat the process as needed to clean and polish all of your oak furniture pieces, focusing on high-traffic areas and areas prone to fingerprints or spills.

Homemade furniture polish is not only effective in cleaning and conditioning oak furniture, but it’s also safe for use around children, pets, and individuals with sensitivities to chemical cleaners. By using natural ingredients, you can keep your furniture looking beautiful while minimizing your environmental impact.

4. Protecting Against Moisture and Sunlight

• Oak furniture should be shielded from excessive moisture and direct sunlight, as these can cause warping, fading, and damage to the wood over time.
• Place your oak furniture away from radiators to minimize warping or drying out.
• Use coasters, placemats, and protective pads to prevent water rings, heat damage, and scratches from everyday use.

Exposure to radiators and direct sunlight can pose significant risks to oak furniture, particularly in the bedroom, where pieces are often placed for practicality and aesthetics. Radiators emit heat that can cause the wood to dry out and shrink over time, leading to cracks, warping, and structural instability. Additionally, prolonged exposure to sunlight can result in fading, discolouration, and deterioration of the wood’s finish.

Position furniture away from radiators and direct heat sources to minimize exposure to fluctuating temperatures and prevent excessive drying of the oak pieces. You may also want to consider keeping blinds or curtains closed on very bright days to prevent the wood from being bleached by the sun.

5. Handling and Moving Bedroom Furniture

•  When moving or rearranging your oak furniture, lift and carry it properly to avoid strain or damage to the wood and joints.
• Lift heavy objects instead of dragging or pushing them across the floor
• Consider using furniture pads or sliders to protect the floors and minimize friction when moving heavy pieces

When moving or rearranging furniture, lift and carry it instead of dragging or pushing it across the floor to avoid scratches and damage. Use furniture pads or sliders to protect the floors and minimize friction when moving heavy pieces.

Monitor the furniture for signs of wear and tear, such as scratches, dents, or loose joints. Address minor issues promptly with touch-up markers or wood filler to prevent further damage. Using polish on your weekly cleaning routine should help avoid most scratch or spill issues as the polish adds a protective layer to the furniture.