Furniture Care

Furniture care for solid wood — choose the right product for your piece

Solid wood furniture is built to last decades, but only with the right care. The difference between a hand-carved mahogany dining table that holds its character for thirty years and one that dulls and dries out in five comes down to small, consistent maintenance — the right wax, applied two or three times a year. Three products cover most of what Sotran's solid wood and outdoor furniture needs.

Quick guide: which one do I need?

Why solid wood needs care at all

Wood is a living material even after it's been milled and finished. It absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air, which is why it expands in humid summers and contracts in dry winters. Without surface protection, this constant cycle dries out the timber, dulls the finish, and lets surface marks settle in permanently. A wax or polish doesn't just clean the surface — it replenishes the natural oils that the wood gradually loses, keeping the grain saturated and the finish stable. The same piece of solid mahogany that's been waxed twice a year for two decades looks substantially better than the same piece left untreated.

Wax versus polish — what's the difference?

Wax is a deeper-penetrating treatment applied a few times a year. It nourishes the wood from below the surface, replenishes the timber's natural oils, and provides genuine protection against moisture, scratches and surface marking. Most wax applications need 15-30 minutes of work and dry for several hours before the piece is fully usable.

Polish is a lighter surface treatment applied periodically between waxings. It cleans the surface, refreshes the appearance, and adds a thin protective layer — but doesn't penetrate or nourish the way a wax does. A spray-on polish like Magico is the practical between-waxings maintenance product, not a substitute for proper waxing. Apply too frequently and polish residue can build up over time, dulling rather than refreshing the finish — every 1-3 months is enough for most pieces.

The combination — twice-yearly waxing plus periodic polishing between — is what professional furniture restorers recommend for solid wood pieces in daily use.

When to wax

• Once when the piece arrives — a single coat of the appropriate wax to seal in the factory finish before regular use begins.
• Twice a year for indoor pieces — typically at the start of summer and the start of winter, when humidity changes most affect the timber.
• Twice a year plus before winter for outdoor pieces — outdoor furniture takes more weather exposure, so the pre-winter coat is the most important one.
• Immediately after deep cleaning — if you've used water or soap on the surface, re-wax to restore the protective layer.

Common questions

Can I use indoor wax on outdoor furniture?
No — outdoor wax is formulated to handle UV exposure and weather. Indoor wax doesn't have the additives and will break down quickly outside.

Can I use exterior wax on indoor furniture?
Technically yes, but it's overkill — the additives that protect against UV and rain don't help indoors and may leave a slightly heavier finish than indoor wax. Use indoor wax for indoor pieces.

Do I need both wax and polish?
For pieces in regular use, yes — wax for the deeper twice-yearly treatment, polish for between. For pieces in lower-traffic rooms (formal dining rooms used a few times a year), wax alone is usually enough.

How often should I polish my furniture?
Every 1-3 months is enough for most pieces, or whenever the surface starts looking dull. Polishing too often (weekly, for example) can build up residue over time and dull the finish rather than refreshing it. Less is genuinely more.

Will Magico polish protect my wooden furniture from water marks?
Magico is a maintenance polish — it refreshes the surface and adds light protection but won't withstand water marks the way a proper wax does. For genuine water resistance, use Woodoc Interior Wax twice a year.

What if I don't have time to wax?
A single annual wax is far better than nothing. Twice a year is recommended; once a year still preserves the piece. Skipping waxing entirely is what causes most premature ageing of solid wood furniture.