Caring for solid timber
Solid timber is a living material. Looked after, a Goldenwood piece will outlast the room it was made for. This guide covers the day-to-day, the seasonal, and what to avoid.
Day to day
- Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth — water only is best. If the piece feels grubby, a drop of mild pH-neutral soap in a bowl of water, then wipe dry straight away.
- Lift, don't drag. Felt pads under lamps, decanters, and ceramics help avoid ring marks.
- Use coasters for cold drinks and trivets for anything warm.
- Wipe spills as soon as you see them, before liquid finds the grain.
Seasonally
Timber expands and contracts with the seasons. In a Sydney winter your piece may shrink very slightly across the grain; in a humid January it may swell. This is normal and not a fault.
If you are running ducted heating or air conditioning hard, try to avoid pointing the vents directly at the piece. Aim for indoor humidity between roughly 40% and 60%.
Two-pack polyurethane finishes
Most pieces leave the workshop in a two-pack polyurethane finish, and every kitchen, vanity and built-in does. It needs no oiling or polishing: wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and, if needed, a drop of mild soap. Avoid solvents and abrasive sponges.
If your piece has an oiled finish
We will tell you at handover if a piece was finished in oil. A light re-oil every 12–18 months, or sooner on a heavily-used dining tabletop, keeps the surface even and water-resistant:
- Wipe the surface clean and let it dry.
- Apply a small amount of the same finish oil on a lint-free cloth, in the direction of the grain.
- Leave for 10 minutes, then buff off any excess with a clean cloth.
- Let the piece sit unused for 24 hours before normal use.
Important: oil-soaked cloths can self-combust if balled up and left in a bin. Lay them flat outside until dry, or wet them down before disposal.
Things to avoid
- Direct, prolonged sunlight — it bleaches timber over years.
- Plastic placemats and tablecloths left on the surface for long stretches — they can trap moisture.
- Bleach, ammonia, methylated spirits, silicone sprays, household furniture polishes, or anything with a citrus solvent.
- Hot pots or pans straight from the cooktop without a trivet.
- Outdoor use unless the piece was specifically designed and finished for it.
Marks, scratches, and rings
Light marks on a two-pack finish usually lift with a damp cloth. Deeper scratches, chips or water rings can often be repaired and refinished, usually best done by us. Send a photo and we'll tell you whether it is a small job or a workshop job.
Restoring and restaining a Goldenwood piece
We restore and restain furniture we made. If an older Goldenwood piece has worn, faded or taken a knock, send a photo and your order details and we'll tell you what it needs. We don't restore other makers' furniture.
Moving the piece
Lift, do not drag, and lift from the lowest sturdy point — not from a tabletop overhang or a drawer front. For anything over about 25 kilograms, two people. Pack with quilted blankets, not bubble wrap against the timber.
Hardware
If a hinge gets noisy, a drop of clear sewing-machine oil on the pivot will quiet it down. If a drawer runner starts to drag, it is usually under warranty — see /warranty.
Questions
We're happy to talk through specific care for a particular piece. Email admin@goldenwoodfurniture.com.au with your order number and a photo.
Questions about this policy? Email admin@goldenwoodfurniture.com.au or call +61 2 9609 7533.