We seal and finish all our furniture with a natural hard wax oil made by German company Osmo. Osmo products are produced on a base of carefully refined plant oils and waxes. The surface is safe for humans, animals and plants when dry (suitable for children's toys acc. to EN 71.3).
The oil penetrates into the wood surface, protecting the wood from deep within. The waxes form an elastic, microprorous surface which protects the wood from external moisture and abrasion. The wood remains naturally beautiful, protected and durable.
While the finish is durable enough to last years, we do recommend proper care for all our recycled timber furniture pieces.
Exposure to sunlight may alter the patina of your furniture over time, so we recommend avoiding direct exposure. Try not to drag unglazed ceramics, or sharp objects on the face of your furniture, and the rule of thumb for heat is that if it's too hot to touch, you should use a trivet.
Water and moisture are also not fond friends on solid timber. While all our furniture is fully sealed meaning spilt water or liquids will simply bead up making it easy to wipe off, we recommend doing this as quickly as possible, not allowing any standing water or liquids that may damage the finish over time. Note that harsh chemicals including concentrated oils that may be found in certain soaps may also strip the finish, so we strongly recommend keeping these are kept in water-tight containers if left sitting on the timber surface.
We also stock daily and occasional cleaning products made up of the the same base ingredients as the finish we use. We strongly recommend using these to help maintain and refresh the original finish over time.
If there is minor damage from incorrect care, scroll down to see how you may rejuvenate your furniture.
For frequent cleaning, we recommend using Osmo Spray Cleaner, which is a pre mixed solution in a ready to use 500ml trigger pack. The solution contains soaps based on natural plant oils. The ingredients are water soluble and prevent streaking and layer build up. Especially mild on skin, the solution is biodegradable, and is free from dyes, solvents and emissions. The surface remains food safe. Use as often as required.
Avoid using regular household or harsh chemical detergents, as these are designed to dissolve grease and oil, and over time, will break down the Osmo finished surface.
Should the furniture become faded or dull, after continual usage or incorrect maintenance over time, it may need some form of rejuvenation. In a commercial situation, this rejuvenation could be weekly, monthly or whenever it is considered necessary. In most cases, the use of Osmo’s Liquid Wax Cleaner Spray will be all that is required. Use the spray sparingly. Apply an even, thin coat over the whole area, and then buff the timber.
If the timber has a stubborn stain, use a fine white scotchbrite abrasive pad to remove. Alternatively, fine grade steel wool could be used. Once the stain has been removed, apply a thin coat of wax spray and buff the timber.
For areas which are scratched or badly worn, the timber will need sanding to remove the scratches, and another coat of Osmo Polyx Oil applied. We recommend this level of maintenance is carried out by a professional.