Wooden furniture is tough and durable. Yet, it is prone to damages brought by the drastic weather changes during winter. Wood can be affected by freezing temperatures and low humidity. Likewise, the heat coming from our fireplace can also leave permanent marks.
For example, in Ottawa, the cold season starts on December 3 and will last until March 11. January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of 7°F. During this time, expect your wood furniture to react to the cold.
Extreme heat and cold can cause wood expansion and contraction. That is why wood tends to warp or have gaps between panels like doors and table surfaces. Even so, you can prevent winter from leaving a lasting impact on your wooden furniture. Below are some ways to protect your wooden furniture from the harsh effects of winter:
Protect from Heat
It is our natural impulse to turn on the heaters in our homes, especially at night. The combination of the cold outside and the heat from heaters causes wood to dry out and discolour. That is why we must move wooden furniture away from fireplaces and heater vents. Doing so will avoid wood damages and potential fires.
Another way to protect it is to keep the temperature steady, especially when you go on a trip. Also, do not put mugs with hot beverages directly on the table. Doing so will leave a ring or a circular mark that you cannot remove. Place coasters or mats under mugs.
Dust Wooden Furniture Daily
Aside from warping, heaters can produce massive amounts of dust in your house. Dust can be pesky, especially to those with allergic rhinitis. It can be more irritating when it matches with the extreme cold weather. Even more, it can leave permanent marks and scratches on wooden surfaces. Also, if you want to check out some high quality wooden products, do not forget to check out familyoffive.
Given this, it is necessary to clean your wooden furniture at least every other day. But, daily would be best. You can maintain its natural shine by dusting it with a soft, damp cloth.
You may also opt to use a tissue dipped in olive oil for better cleaning. In that way, you treat it with utmost care like the other essential pieces in your house.
Prevent from Dying Out
Many areas get very dry during winter. As such, it is a must to keep the humidity level at 30-40% in our homes with a humidifier. Extreme heat and cold and excess moisture and dryness can discolour wooden furniture. But, move your wooden furniture away from the humidifier so it will not be very moist.
Fortunately, high-quality wood furniture can withstand extreme temperatures and dryness. For example, woodcraft Ottawa products are made from solid maple, cherry, oak, or pine wood. Although, the most popular choice is Canadian maple wood. Whether it is for your living room or kitchen, it is sturdy, especially if maintained well.
Wipe with Lemon Oil
Another way to prevent dryness is by wiping your wooden furniture with lemon oil. Treat it like people going to beaches during summer. In that way, lemon oil provides the wood with a layer of UV protection. It also helps maintain natural moisture and nourishes wood.
This is more crucial for wooden furniture outside your home. Rubbing down patio furniture with lemon oil shields it from direct sunlight.
Do Not Place Under Direct Sunlight
As mentioned above, lemon oil also serves as sunscreen. But, putting your wooden pieces under direct sunlight for an extended period can cause discoloration.
Bottomline
Maintaining wooden furniture does not have to be time-consuming. If you follow the steps above, wood furniture can outlast extreme heat and cold. But, it might be better if you will choose quality wood products for your home. These are more capable of adjusting to drastic weather changes and are durable.
