An oiled solid oak table is made to be lived with: family dinners, homework, drinks with friends. Well cared for, it develops a patina over the years and only gets more beautiful. The good news: caring for it is simple. Here is our workshop advice.
Our finish: oil, not varnish
All our pieces are protected with Rubio Monocoat finishing oils. The oil soaks into the wood and protects it from within, without forming a plastic film on the surface. The result: the oak keeps its natural feel, and a small mark can be repaired locally without sanding the whole table.
Everyday care
- Wipe the table with a soft cloth or microfiber that is barely damp, then dry.
- For a deeper clean, use a mild soap made for oiled wood, such as Rubio Monocoat's cleaning soap, diluted in water.
- Avoid: harsh household cleaners, bleach, ammonia, abrasive sponges, disinfecting wipes and silicone-based sprays. They damage the oil's protection.
- Never leave standing water on the table, and don't use a steam cleaner.
Good habits
- Wipe up spills quickly, especially wine, coffee, vinegar and lemon: acids and dyes can mark the wood if left too long.
- Use trivets for hot dishes and coasters for cold drinks that sweat.
- Watch out for wet metal: oak is rich in tannins, and a can or iron object left on a damp surface can leave a dark stain.
- Keep the table out of direct sunlight and away from radiators: heat and light change the color and can make the wood move.
- Keep the room neither too dry nor too humid, ideally 40 to 60% humidity. Solid wood is alive: it swells and shrinks slightly with the seasons, and that is normal.
Stains and small marks
- Light stain: clean with oiled-wood soap, wipe with a damp cloth and let dry.
- Stubborn stain or water ring: very lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper (180 to 240 grit) or a soft abrasive pad, following the grain. Dust off, then apply a little maintenance oil.
- Small scratch: same method. On oiled wood, the repair blends into the rest of the table.
Refresh the table once or twice a year
When the wood looks dull or water no longer beads on the surface, it is time to feed the table:
- Clean the table and let it dry completely.
- Apply a thin coat of maintenance oil for oiled wood, such as Rubio Monocoat's maintenance oil, with a lint-free cloth.
- Leave it for a few minutes, then wipe off all the excess with a clean, dry cloth. No buildup should remain.
- Let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions before using the table again.
For a table in daily use, plan on once or twice a year. For a console or sideboard, once every two or three years is often enough.
Safety: oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own as they dry. Lay them flat outdoors to dry, or soak them in water before throwing them away.
A question about your piece?
A stain that won't come out, a mark after a move? Send us a photo and we'll tell you what to do. To learn more about wood species, read Pine, chestnut, oak, walnut, acacia, teak: which wood should you choose?