Care guide

Solid wood, cared for simply.

Every Ashdeco piece is cut and finished by hand. Solid wood does not need much. A few small habits keep the colour, the grain and the feel of the surface for decades.

Wiping a live-edge solid oak table with a soft cloth.

The short version

Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Follow the grain.
Wipe spills straight away. Never let water sit.
Use coasters, trivets and felt pads.
Keep pieces away from radiators, vents and long hours of direct sun.
Clean with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Dry at once.
Refresh natural finishes with a furniture oil or wax once or twice a year.

Dusting a solid wood floating shelf with a soft cloth.

Everyday dusting

Dust settles into open grain and live edges. Wipe once a week with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Move along the grain, not across it. For textured or rough surfaces, a soft brush reaches the low spots. Avoid feather dusters and paper towels. Both can leave fine scratches on a smooth finish.

TipA slightly damp cloth picks up more dust than a dry one. Dry the surface right after.

A mug on a cork coaster on a live-edge coffee table.

Water, heat and sun

Water is the main enemy of any wood surface. Wipe spills within minutes and dry the spot. Use coasters under glasses and mugs, and a trivet under anything hot. Keep furniture at least one metre from radiators and heating vents. Long hours of direct sunlight fade and dry the wood unevenly, so rotate decor objects now and then and use a sheer curtain where the sun is strong.

TipFelt pads under vases, lamps and speakers stop rings and rubbing marks.

Cleaning

For everyday marks, use a cloth wrung out in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Wipe, then dry with a second cloth. Do not use all-purpose sprays, ammonia, bleach, vinegar, alcohol or silicone polishes. They strip or cloud the finish. Never use a scouring pad or abrasive cream.

TipTest any new product on the underside of the piece first.

Applying furniture oil to a solid oak tabletop with a cloth.

Refreshing the finish

Natural and smooth finishes slowly lose their sheen with use. Once or twice a year, apply a thin coat of a furniture oil or a beeswax polish made for interior wood. Work it in with a lint-free cloth along the grain, let it soak for the time on the label, then buff off every trace. Rough or textured surfaces take less product. Apply sparingly so nothing pools in the grooves.

TipLess is more. A thin, well buffed coat protects better than a thick one.

A tree bookshelf in a calm room with a plant and a hygrometer.

Humidity and the seasons

Solid wood breathes. It takes in moisture in summer and releases it in winter, so a tabletop can gain or lose a millimetre across the seasons. This is normal and not a defect. Keep indoor humidity between 40 and 55 percent where you can. A humidifier in dry winter rooms and good airflow in humid months keep movement small. Avoid placing a piece directly under an air conditioning vent.

TipSmall hairline gaps that open in winter usually close again by summer.

Rubbing beeswax polish into a light scratch on solid oak.

Scratches and small marks

A light surface scratch on a natural finish often disappears with a little beeswax polish worked in along the grain. Water rings on an oiled surface usually fade after a light re-oil. For a deeper dent or a chip, send us a photo. We will tell you what can be done at home and when a piece should come back to the workshop.

TipPhotograph the mark in daylight, straight on, before you treat it.

Wall-mounted and tall pieces

Floating shelves, coat racks and tall tree bookshelves carry real weight. Check the wall fixings twice a year and tighten anything that has worked loose. Keep heavy objects close to the wall and spread the load across the shelf. Follow the load guidance on the product page. If you move house, ask us before taking a wall-mounted piece down so it goes back up the same way.

TipA shelf that starts to tilt is a fixing problem, not a wood problem. Unload it and check the anchors.

Common questions

Which finish does my piece have?

Most Ashdeco pieces are finished by hand in one of two surfaces: smooth or natural rough. The finish you chose is listed on your order confirmation. If you are not sure, send us your order number and we will tell you how to care for it.

Can I use a commercial furniture spray?

We advise against it. Many sprays contain silicone, which builds up and clouds a natural finish, and makes future repairs harder. A damp cloth and, once or twice a year, a furniture oil or wax is all the surface needs.

The colour of my piece looks different from the photos. Is that normal?

Yes. Solid wood varies from tree to tree, and natural finishes deepen slightly in the first months as the wood settles and meets daylight. You approve photos of your own piece before it ships, so what you see then is what arrives.

Something arrived damaged. What do I do?

Contact support@ashdeco.com within 30 days of delivery with your order number and photos. We review every claim and arrange a repair, return or replacement for damaged, defective or incorrect pieces.

Questions about your piece?

Send a photo and your order number. We reply by email.

Ask us