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Timber consists of many interlinking cells that retain moisture. When the tree is harvested into material suitable for furniture manufacture this moisture has to be reduced to levels that ensure the timber will be free from fungal attack such as dry rot, a process traditionally known as “seasoning”, it is unfortunately not possible to remove all of the moisture from timber at the point of manufacturer and as the moisture content is further reduced in your home, shrinkage can occur.
To ensure stability, timber needs to attain a moisture content equivalent to that of its surrounding environment. In an ideal world the timber used in any particular piece of furniture would be dried to match the moisture content of its proposed location, but this is seldom possible. It is recommended that timber has a moisture content of 12% for modern UK homes if shrinkage of the finished furniture is to be avoided. J.U. Furniture makes allowance in the construction detail of the furniture to accommodate possible shrinkage and expansion, which needs to considered before purchase.
However it is not all doom and gloom, and there is much that owners can do to ensure that their furniture will last for many years to come.
First consider the environment the furniture is in. Do you feel comfortable in the space? Because it’s generally true to say that if you are uncomfortable then so is your furniture. Is the room clammy and damp? Can you feel the dryness of the atmosphere on the back of your throat? If so then the room is certainly too dry.
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These extreme conditions are best avoided and can certainly be remedied by simple measures. Having a few house-plants in rooms that are very dry and even keeping the odd saucer of water near to central heating radiators (obviously avoiding contact between water and electrical equipment) will help to keep humidity levels within a ideal range for your furniture.
Try to ensure that solid wood furniture is shaded from direct sunlight. This will help avoid damage to both the surface finish and also to the underlying timber, where surface checking can be the result of continuous exposure to the sun’s rays.
Overloading drawers is a common cause of damage to both the drawer and the carcass in which it is housed. If drawers stick, try to avoid forcing them; a little talcum powder sprinkled on wooden runners is frequently all that is required to make them work.
General cleaning is best affected by the use of a soft cloth and beeswax. Apply a little of the beeswax to the soft cloth, then work this over the surface with a circular motion. Painted wood should be wiped with a soft cloth dampened with a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water. This care is all that is needed for your solid wood furniture.
You can download our handy care guide directly to your computer by clicking here
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