Best way to care for wood furniture FURNITURE CARE

How to maintain, store and clean your wood furniture

 
A white dresser with a stuffed animal on top of it.

FURNITURE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Trees process and retain a large volume of water in the growing process. At the time that it is harvested, wood can contain more than 50% water depending on grain type and tree age. Before the harvested timber is used in the manufacturing process, it undergoes a rigorous processing that consists in alternative drying and steaming techniques so that the moisture content is reduced to 6-8% relative mass, this being the optimal level for all mechanical and technological transformations that give purpose and shape to the wood boards.

Wood is a natural material prone to variations and imperfections which cannot be foreseen or prevented. Beech is high-density hardwood that may vary in color from light blonde to moderate brown, orange and even red. The grain pattern presents unique features like “bird eye”, “fiddle back”, curly patterns or light speckles. It is the nature and beauty of solid wood to vary in appearance and characteristics for no two trees are identical. Wood swatches and/or color samples are an accurate but not exact representation of the actual furniture you will receive.

After the furniture manufacturing process has been completed, wood is still be vulnerable to humidity and temperature conditions, because it is a porous material that responds to the environmental changes. If placed in a room with high temperature and/or humidity it will absorb water and expand or if the humidity is very low it will eliminate moisture and shrink.

For maintaining the original look and functionality of the furniture, it is recommended that the room humidity conditions be controlled. Exposure to extreme variations of temperature conditions will damage any fine wood product. Romina Furniture recommends that the room temperature be controlled between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 30 – 40 %. Wood furniture exposed to temperature and humidity conditions outside the above mentioned limits may develop seasonal cracks, “hair line” stress marks in the finish or other stress reactions, which are not considered material, structural or manufacturing defects.

FURNITURE MAINTENANCE

Furniture should not be placed in front or too close to air-conditioning outlets, fire places, heaters or humidifiers. Direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays will fade colors, affect the luster, texture and smoothness of the finish. White finishes will yellow naturally over time but exposure to direct sunlight will accelerate this natural process. All wood essences will darken over the time along with the natural aging process and this is not considered to be a defect. Do not place items too hot or too cold on furniture and do not use any oil based cleaning products as they will leave a residue on the finish. Immediately wipe off any accidentally spilled liquid with a dry cloth.

Allow all surfaces to get proper ventilation and light exposure by rotating or changing the position of the accessories placed directly onto the furniture (such as lamps, diaper baskets, changing pads, etc). Keep the furniture leveled so that doors and drawers can open freely without causing friction to adjacent components.

FURNITURE STORAGE

If you need to put your furniture in storage for any period of time, avoid placing it in damp basements or hot attics. Air flow around and under the furniture should be allowed therefore placement too close to walls is not recommended. Do not stack anything onto the furniture and do not cover it entirely.

We recommend using a damp cloth for cleaning Romina products, immediately followed by wiping with a dry cloth. Do not allow water to stay too much in contact with the finished surface as it will damage it. In general, furniture cleaning products are designed for oil or polyurethane finishes therefore not recommended for water-based finishes. Should you wish to use a common brand cleaning product designed for water-based finishes, make sure it does not contain alcohol, ammonia, acids or any other solvent based ingredients.

Oil washed stains have a different textural effect and leave the wood surface porous yet still abide by the same general cleaning guidelines. The organic oil may fade out if excessive cleaning is performed and may need reapplication over time. It is recommended to exercise caution and general rules or common sense when caring for your Romina products.

PROACTIVE FURNITURE SAFETY

Furniture is an essential decor item in children nurseries but can also pose inherent risk factors. Educate yourself and take preventive measures to limit these risks. Below are some general tips and information for proper furniture usage and care.

  • Assemble the product using manufacturer provided instructions. All our furniture pieces requiring assembly have the Assembly Manual available for download on the product respective page.
  • Read warning labels and instructions, make yourself familiar with the product intended usage.
  • When staging the nursery, never place the crib near or in direct vicinity of a window. Children can get caught in window drapes or blind cords.
  • Clear the crib are from electrical cords and childproof electrical outlets within the baby’s reach.
  • Do not place shelves or hang any heavy objects above the crib general area.
  • Dispose of all small removable parts which can pose a chocking hazard. Do not place these in drawers which can be easily accessed by toddlers.
  • Soft padded floors can increase the tipping risk for large furniture items. Secure all furniture to the wall using the original anti-tipping hardware kit (included). If missing or misplaced you can request a free replacement kit Here.
  • Crib bumpers, pillows and even blankets can increase the risk of SIDS. Minimize the number or objects your child has in her/his crib, less is more.
  • If any hardware or wooden component becomes loose or defective, stop utilizing the furniture product and notify us to request assistance.

PROACTIVE FURNITURE CARE

Baby and kids furniture will experience 80-90% of its lifetime stress during the first few years of usage. Because of their intended purpose and design, nursery furniture is likely superior in quality to comparable adult products. Nonetheless, it is recommended to be proactive in preventing damages or accidents which can cause irreversible effects to the appearance and functionality of your Romina furniture.

  • When changing your baby onto the dresser, make sure to prevent friction with your jeans zippers or belt buckle or other sharp objects which may damage the edge of your dresser top.
  • When moving objects across the furniture surface, do not drag them across, just lift them and drop them in the desired position.
  • When changing your baby diapers make sure not to spill or drop sanitizer or sanitizer wipes onto the furniture surface. These often contain solvent or alcohol based ingredients which will damage the finish.
  • If you use a diaper warmer or other accessories that contain liquids, periodically check to make sure these are not leaking or malfunctioning. Never place a humidifier on top of a furniture or wood product.
  • Never clean drawers or other unfinished parts with a damp cloth, always use a dry cloth or vacuum brush.
  • Consider using a plastic or cloth guard rail for your crib footboard to prevent damages caused by your child when he/she is teething.
  • Read the manufacturer instructions before proceeding to converting your crib to day bed or other stages.