Care Guide

Solid wood furniture isn't precious — it's meant to be lived with. A few simple habits will keep your Bare piece looking good for decades.

Day to day

Wipe surfaces with a soft, dry cloth or a barely-damp microfibre. Skip household sprays and multipurpose cleaners; they strip the finish and leave residue in the grain. For sticky marks, a cloth dampened with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap does the job — then dry the surface immediately afterwards. Standing water is the enemy.

Hot, cold, wet

Use coasters under glasses and trivets under hot dishes. Solid wood handles temperature change well, but direct contact with anything hot enough to steam will leave a mark in the finish. Wipe up spills as soon as you spot them.

Sunlight

All wood mellows over time — it's part of what makes a piece feel lived in. Direct, prolonged sunlight will accelerate this and may cause uneven fading, especially on lighter timbers. If you can, avoid placing your piece in direct afternoon sun. Rotating accessories on the surface every few months helps the colour shift evenly.

Humidity & movement

Wood is a living material and will expand and contract slightly with the seasons. You may notice small movements at joinery points or hairline checks on end grain — these are normal and part of the character of solid timber. If you live somewhere with extreme humidity swings, a room humidifier in winter helps.

Refreshing the finish

Every six to twelve months, give heavy-use surfaces (tables, servers, benches) a light recondition. A small amount of furniture wax or beeswax-based oil, applied with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain, will restore the warmth and protect against everyday wear. Buff off any excess after 15 minutes.

For deeper scratches or water marks, lightly sand with fine-grit paper (320 or higher) in the direction of the grain, then re-oil. If you're unsure, send us a photo — we'd rather help you get it right than have you start with the wrong product.

Moving your piece

Always lift, never drag. Solid timber is heavier than it looks and the joinery is designed to carry weight from below, not be pulled across a floor. For larger items, get a second pair of hands.

Built to be repaired

Every Bare piece is made to be fixed, not replaced. If something cracks, loosens, or needs refinishing years from now, get in touch. We'd rather restore one of our pieces than see it thrown away.