Caring for pine furniture

Pine furniture is a popular choice for its warm hues and unique grain patterns. Giving pine proper care and attention is important to maintain its natural beauty and longevity. The experts at Edmunds & Clarke have some essential tips and tricks for caring for painted pine furniture.  

First, understand the characteristics of pine.

Pine is a softwood. This makes it easier to work with due to its less dense nature, and because pine is porous, stains can penetrate deep into the wood to allow for a wide variety of colour choices and finishes.

The pine furniture available to buy at Edmunds & Clarke, is available in a wide variety of choices. You can choose natural waxed pine or opt for a painted finish in one of our beautiful and carefully chosen colour options or for some pieces you can even colour match to a Farrow & Ball colour – just include the colour name and we will match the paint colour for you.

How to look after your pine furniture. 

If you are considering buying pine furniture or you have some at home already, then you may be wondering how best to look after it.

How to care for waxed pine furniture. 

Like most things, pine furniture requires regular cleaning. To clean waxed pine furniture without damaging its finish, you should start with a soft, dry dusting cloth to gently remove any dust from the surface. If you can, avoid using a damp cloth or water, as this can penetrate softwoods like pine, causing it to warp or crack. However, sometimes a duster is not quite enough to clean up sticky stains, and you will need to use mild soap and water, but you must wipe it dry as soon as possible.

To maintain your waxed pine furniture, you should regularly reapply furniture wax polish, like the Mylands Wax Polish we have available, in Clear or Stripped Pine. We recommend waxing your pine furniture every 3 – 6 months, to keep its lustre and to protect the wood from everyday damage.

How to care for painted pine furniture.

The painted surface adds a layer of protection as well as colour, but the furniture will still need to be cleaned regularly. Like waxed pine, it is better not to allow the surface to get wet or at least to not stay wet, and only use mild detergent and warm water to wipe the surfaces clean. Regular dusting is necessary to avoid dirt building up.

Many of the pieces available from Edmunds & Clarke give you the option to have a waxed or natural finished top, which should be cared for like waxed pine, with regular waxing to protect and enhance the natural surface.

General furniture care tips 

• Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring sponges on natural finishes like wax or on painted furniture, this could cause permanent damage to the surface.
  
• Use coasters! Preventing heat or moisture damage is important, so put a coaster under your cuppa to avoid rings or other damage.
  
• To avoid scratching or damaging your flooring, you may consider getting some floor protectors, we have some available from the furniture care section of the site.
  
• Handle your furniture with care. Don’t drag it across the floor, lift it using careful manual handling techniques, and if it is too heavy for you, get a friend or someone to help you. Be careful and look after your back.

If you would like specific advice about caring for any of the pine furniture pieces available from Edmunds & Clarke, get in touch and our experts will be happy to discuss your queries and concerns, or visit the showroom in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and meet us in person.

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