Solid wood Indian furniture is built to last decades. With proper care, pieces last 30+ years and look better with age. Without proper care, even excellent pieces can fade, crack, or show premature wear. This guide covers what proper care looks like in the Australian climate.
Understanding the Timber
Your furniture is built from sheesham, teak, or mango. Each has slightly different care needs.
Sheesham is dense and naturally oily, which resists pests and moisture. Standard care routines work well.
Teak has natural oils that handle humidity and moisture exceptionally. Minimal polishing is actually preferred for teak — over-polishing can saturate and discolour the grain.
Mango is slightly less dense than sheesham and benefits from more regular polishing to maintain its protective finish.
Daily and Weekly Care
Dust weekly with a soft cloth or microfibre duster. Dust accumulates quickly in carved detail and attracts moisture.
For heavily carved pieces, use a soft paintbrush or clean paint brush to reach into carving without pushing dust deeper. A vacuum with a soft-brush attachment works well for intricate carving.
Avoid sprays and cleaners in daily routine. Dry dusting is enough for day-to-day maintenance.
Wipe spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Liquid left on a wooden surface for hours will penetrate the finish and mark the timber.
Every-Six-Month Care
Twice a year, apply a furniture-grade polish.
Clean first. Use a slightly damp cloth to remove surface dust and grime. Allow to dry completely before polishing.
Apply polish sparingly. Use a clean cloth, work in the direction of the grain, and use small amounts. Over-application leaves residue.
For carved areas, work polish into detail with a soft brush. Wipe off any excess immediately.
Buff with a clean dry cloth after 10–15 minutes. The surface should feel smooth, not tacky.
Protecting from the Australian Climate
Queensland humidity is the main climate challenge. High humidity causes timber to expand; low humidity (from air conditioning) causes shrinkage. Repeated cycles stress joinery.
Consistent indoor humidity is ideal. Keeping indoor humidity between 40–60% minimises movement. In tropical areas, dehumidifiers during summer help. In dry winters, a room humidifier protects furniture.
Direct sunlight fades timber and dries the finish. Position furniture away from sunny windows, or use blinds during peak sun hours. UV-filtered window film is a practical upgrade for sun-exposed rooms.
Air conditioning can over-dry timber. Avoid positioning furniture directly in the path of AC vents.
Coastal homes face additional challenges from salt air. More frequent polishing (every 3–4 months) helps. Quick wiping after any salt exposure is important.
Dealing with Scratches and Marks
Light surface scratches: often polish out with a fine-grain polish applied with firm pressure in the direction of the scratch. For darker timber, a colour-matched furniture marker can fill the scratch before polishing.
Deeper scratches: light sanding with fine-grade sandpaper (600-grit or finer), working with the grain, followed by re-sealing with a matching stain and finish. Test on an inconspicuous area first.
Water rings and stains: for fresh water marks, wipe and allow to dry, then polish. For older rings, light polishing or a dedicated water-ring remover often works. Severe staining may require professional refinishing.
White heat marks: caused by hot dishes on wooden surfaces. Often remove with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and olive oil, gently rubbed in the direction of the grain, then polished.
Upholstery Care
For pieces with upholstery (sofas, carved chairs, headboards):
Vacuum weekly. Use the upholstery attachment and work into seams.
Spot clean spills immediately. Blot, do not rub. Warm water and a clean cloth for most stains.
Professional cleaning every 1–2 years for fabric upholstery. Every 3–4 years for leather.
For tufted upholstery, dust and vacuum into the tufts regularly — dust accumulates in button wells.
Hardware Care
Brass, gold-leaf, and metal detailing need their own care.
Brass: polish every 6–12 months with a dedicated brass polish, or allow to develop natural patina.
Gold-leaf: dust only. Do not use polish or cleaning products on gold-leaf — they remove the finish.
Hinges and hardware: tighten twice a year. Wooden furniture shifts slightly over time, and hardware loosens. A quick check and tightening prevents larger problems.
Long-Term Maintenance
Every 5–10 years, furniture benefits from re-sealing. This involves cleaning, light sanding, and applying a fresh coat of furniture-grade sealer. Professional refinishing services are available.
For pieces that have been in heavy use and show cumulative wear, full refinishing restores the piece to near-new condition. This is a specialist service — not a DIY job.
What to Avoid
Harsh cleaners. Bleach, ammonia, acidic cleaners will damage wood finishes.
Wet cloths for regular cleaning. Damp is fine; wet is too much.
Silicone-based polishes. They build up and create a tacky residue over time.
Placing hot items directly on wood surfaces. Use coasters and trivets.
Dragging furniture when moving. Lift and carry to avoid joint stress.
Care Kits and Support
We supply furniture-grade care kits with every purchase — polish, cleaning cloths, touch-up markers, and instructions. For Brisbane metro customers, we offer professional maintenance services. Interstate customers can order replacement care supplies through the showroom.
| Browse our furniture range, order a care kit, or call 0404 000 536. |
FAQs
How often should I polish solid wood furniture?
Every 6 months is a good baseline. In high-humidity environments (coastal Queensland, tropical north), more frequent polishing (every 3–4 months) is beneficial. In dry climates, less frequent is fine.
What polish should I use?
A furniture-grade wax or oil polish designed for solid wood. Avoid silicone-based sprays, which build up over time. For carved pieces, use a polish that can be worked into carving detail without leaving residue.
Can I repair minor scratches myself?
Yes. Light scratches can be polished out with a fine-grain polish or a dedicated scratch repair kit. Deeper scratches may need light sanding and re-sealing — we supply care kits with proper materials for Brisbane metro customers.
