We hear a number of clients commenting that their wood furniture looks dry and thirsty. Fun fact, wood is dead and intentionally dried to strengthen it. Applying products does not “feed” the wood or hydrate it. It simply treats the surface, while ambient humidity controls the internal moisture.

Let’s talk about what’s really important: humidity

Wood furniture needs to be in an environment with proper, stable humidity to prevent damage. Too dry and the wood may crack, too humid and the wood may swell. This puts strain on the boards and joints. In homes and spaces with climate control, this is generally a non-issue. 

What NOT to do

We’ve refinished too many pieces that have been treated with products like Howards Restor-A-Finish or Howards Feed-N-Wax. In our experience, it adds extra time for cleaning and introduces challenges as it seeps into and poorly stains any wood where finish is failing. It can also soften the finish, create darker spots where finish is missing and it’s quick fix fades after time.

What if you want some extra shine?

If you’re piece is missing finish, let’s chat (you can simply reply to this email – we love talking furniture care). We have ways to test finishes and touchup pieces with compatible finish options. And, if you’re looking for a safe and at-home way to freshen up your wood furniture, we recommend Guardsman Anytime Clean and Polish. We did a deep dive into their listed ingredients and found no harmful silicone or solvents.