How To Protect Your Wooden Dining Table?

It’s natural to want to buy yourself a wooden dining table because of its strength and durability.

Solid wood is strong because its fibers are tightly packed. In fact, tables made of cheaper materials like plywood, particleboard, and MDF sag over time, while solid wood remains sturdy and can last a lifetime if you take good care of it.

However, even though a wooden table is strong, it's a natural material and needs proper care to stay in good shape and keep looking nice.

Let's look at some tips and tricks for protecting your wooden dining table from scratches and keeping it looking as good as new. 

Protecting And Caring For Your Wooden Table

Your entire table might show signs of wear and tear over time. Doing simple things every day can help protect it from both visual and structural damage.

These quick actions ensure that your table lasts a long time and stays in great condition.

When deciding where to put your dining table, consider how close it will be to a heat source.

Placing the table within 1-2 meters of a radiator or fireplace could harm its structure. Direct heat can make the wood fibers shrink, leading to cracks or splits along the grain or where the tabletop joins.

It's crucial to keep your wood table away from direct sunlight. The heat from the sun, especially on summer days, can make the wood split or crack.

If your table is in direct sunlight, it will likely cause the tabletop to change color, and depending on how deep the damage goes into the solid wood, it may be permanent.

On sunny days, it's a good idea to close your blinds or curtains to avoid direct sunlight on the table for too long.

If you can't avoid it, like in an orangery or conservatory, it's best to buy from a manufacturer and choose a dining table with a UV-resistant top finish.

If your dining table has extra pieces for extension, like removable leaves, storing them flat to prevent warping is essential.

Keep them in a dry place, preferably in the same room as the table to maintain consistent humidity. Storing them in a loft or garden shed might cause the wood to swell due to increased moisture in the air.

As mentioned before, moisture can harm your solid wood dining table. So, if any food or liquid accidentally spills on the table, clean it immediately.

If liquid is left on the table, it can damage the finish and seep into the wood, leading to permanent watermarks or even causing swelling and structural damage to the tabletop.

To keep your dining table finish safe, minimize direct contact with the tabletop. Using placemats during meals for plates and cutlery is a good idea since these sharp objects can easily scratch or mark your tabletop.

Do not put extremely hot pots, pans, or serving dishes directly on your solid wood dining table. Instead, use heat-resistant placemats for these items to avoid leaving burn marks and preventing heat damage to the wood.

When enjoying hot or cold drinks on your table, use coasters. Hot drinks might damage the table finish or cause permanent heat harm. Cold drinks can leave moisture on the table, gradually removing the finish and potentially causing irreparable water damage.

It's a smart idea to invest in a full table cover for special occasions. This can be a lifesaver during dinner parties with lots of guests and potential spills.

While we understand it's disappointing to hide the beauty of a solid wood dining table, it's even more disappointing if you accidentally cause permanent damage to it.

If your dining table has a wax or oil finish, it needs regular care. Typically, you should treat it every 3-6 months, depending on how often you use the table. Choose a natural wax like beeswax, carnauba wax, or a mix of both. Avoid silicone-based wax as it leaves a hard-to-remove residue on the wood's surface.

When cleaning your wood tables, it's crucial to be cautious. Avoid using strong chemical cleaners or rough cloths, as they can harm the finish on your wooden dining table.

Cleaning Your Wooden Table

It's crucial to clean your dining table regularly, especially since it's where your family eats. When dealing with a wooden table, you must be cautious with store-bought cleaning products.

Many have harsh chemicals or abrasives that can harm the table's top finish, leading to irreversible damage.

Our recommended cleaning methods eliminate germs and are gentle on your wooden table, making it safe for eating and ensuring its long-lasting quality.

How to Clean a Wood Table With Vinegar

If your table has an oil, wax, varnish, or lacquer finish, here are our recommended steps for cleaning:

1. 1. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a small amount of white vinegar, about 1-3 tablespoons per cup of warm water. It's crucial to dilute white vinegar with water because its acidity is ideal for disinfecting a table surface with spilled food.

Test the ratio by starting with one tablespoon of vinegar and a cup of water on a small area before cleaning the whole surface. For wax and oil finishes, use a more diluted solution (1-2 tablespoons white vinegar); for varnish and lacquer, use a stronger solution (2-3 tablespoons).

1. 2. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth, to avoid damaging the finish. If your table has a rustic, textured surface, use a small soft thistle brush to clean before applying the vinegar solution.
2. 3. Ensure the cloth is dampened, not saturated, with vinegar when wiping the table. Too much liquid on the tabletop surface, even briefly, is not good.
3. 4. After wiping with the cloth, rinse it with clean water and wipe the table to remove any white vinegar residue and dirt.
4. 5. Use a separate dry, soft cloth to ensure the table is as dry as possible. Moisture on the table can affect the finish over time, slowly breaking down the finish.

If you don't have vinegar, you can use diluted washing up liquid to clean your table with the earlier steps. Remember that this may not be as effective in killing bacteria, but it's a quick fix until your next shopping trip.

Despite regular cleaning, accidental damages are inevitable for a frequently used dining room table. Over time, your beautiful wooden dining table may experience cosmetic damage, like a scratch.

Removing Scuff Marks From a Wooden Table

We understand that the dining table gets a lot of use at home, from daily family meals to kids doing homework.

It's no wonder that your dining table will show signs of wear and tear over time. While some of these are inevitable, we have some simple DIY tips and tricks to help keep your wooden table looking new.

How to Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture With Sandpaper

Here are some easy steps to fix light scratches or damage on your dining table:

1. 1. Use a sanding sponge or sanding block to sand the scratched area gently. Always sand in the direction of the grain to blend scratches into the natural pattern of the wood. Lower grit sandpaper (80, 120) is coarser and creates deeper scratches, so go with the grain to help them blend in. If you sand across the grain, the scratches will stand out.
2. 2. Start with fine sandpaper (180 grit) for light scratches, then switch to something lighter (240 grit) to minimize the scratches caused by the coarser paper. For deeper scratches, consider using medium sandpaper (120 grit) before moving on to finer grit.
3. 3. Finish sanding with a finer sandpaper (240 grit) in the direction of the grain to blend and remove scratches caused by lower grit paper. Don't jump directly from coarse (120 grit) to fine sandpaper (240) to avoid visible scratch marks.
4. 4. Once you've removed the scratch, clean off all the dust from the table before refinishing it with oiling or waxing.

Note: For really light scratches, you may not need sandpaper; some everyday household items can help remove them.

How to Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture With Vinegar

You’ll need:

• White vinegar (Cider vinegar will also work).
• Olive oil.
• Two old cotton rags.

Why Do We Suggest White Vinegar?

White vinegar is usually 5% acetic acid and 95% water. These properties make it great for cleaning and help fix minor scratches. The acetic acid penetrates the scratch's surroundings, assisting in filling it.

Why Do We Recommend Olive Oil?

A stronger white vinegar solution than usual is needed to fix light scratches. Mixing it with oil is crucial, as too much acetic acid concentration can harm the table finish. Olive oil also enhances the result by penetrating the exposed wood in the scratch. 

This achieves a darker color matching the rest of the finish and protects the wood from moisture. Olive oil is a natural and food-safe product, making it perfect for a surface you eat from.

However, always test a small area first to ensure it doesn't damage the finish.

Here's our quick 5-step process to remove scratches with vinegar:

• Mix 100ml (one part) white vinegar with 200ml (two parts) olive oil in a bowl or cup and mix well.
• Dip a soft cotton rag into the cup to soak the solution. Squeeze out excess moisture
• Apply the soaked rag to the scratched area on your tabletop. Rub in a circular motion, then finish rubbing with the grain.
• Let the solution sit on the tabletop for 2 minutes to allow the oil to soak into the scratches.
• Use a clean rag to wipe off excess solution, rubbing along the grain. Ensure no residue is left on the tabletop.

Repeat the process if needed. If the scratches persist, they may be too deep. The next section provides further guidance on removing deeper scratches with crayons.

How to Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture With Crayons

Try using a child's crayon for slightly deeper scratches that vinegar can't remove. Here are three reasons why crayons are great for this:

Strength - Crayons are made from specific waxes with added strength, making them solid and sturdy once they fill in the scratches on your table.

Color Choice - Crayons come in various colors, making it easy for you to find a match. We recommend specific Crayola colors: 'Bisque' and 'Gold' for natural wood, 'Light Brown' and 'Golden Beige' for medium brown wood, and 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' and 'Earth Tone' for dark wood.

When in doubt, choose a crayon darker than your table's wood color for a more natural look.

Food Safe—Crayons are designed for children and are non-toxic. You can safely use them on your dining table.

Now that you know why crayons are great for fixing table scratches, here are five simple steps on how to do it:

1. 1. Ensure your table is clean and free of dust and debris, especially around the scratched area. A clean surface ensures better adhesion between the wax and wood.
2. 2. Choose a crayon color that matches your table wood. Opt for a darker shade to blend better with the surrounding wood.
3. 3. Rub the crayon over the scratched area sideways and lengthways until the scratch is filled with wax.
4. 4. Use a credit card to gently scrape off any excess wax, ensuring the table surface is now level.
5. 5. Use a clean cotton rag to buff the wax, blending it into the tabletop.

Repeat the process several times for a smooth surface. However, if the scratches are too deep or wide, the method above may not eliminate them. In such cases, continue reading for further guidance.

Fixing Deep Scratches in Wood Tables

To fix a deep scratch on your table, use a special wood filler that matches the table's color:

1. 1. Use your finger to work the wood filler into the scratch, ensuring there are no air gaps.
2. 2. Use a putty knife or an old credit card to smooth the surface and remove excess wood filler.
3. 3. Wait for the filler to dry; drying times may vary, so check the packaging for accurate information.
4. 4. Use fine sandpaper (180 grit or 240 grit) on the dried area around the scratch. Always sand following the direction of the wood's grain.
5. 5. Apply the appropriate oil or wax using the steps mentioned earlier.

Fixing Other Wooden Table Ailments

In today's situation, the dining table is serving many purposes. It's not just for meals but also acts as a home office desk, a school classroom for kids, or a space for arts and crafts.

Your wooden table is exposed to various potential damages with all these uses. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help keep your table in good shape.

How to Remove Biro From a Wooden Table

A dining table often doubles as a workspace or school desk; a common issue is getting biro ink on its surface.

Before explaining how to remove biro ink, it's essential to note that the success of the process depends on your table's finish. Removing biro can be challenging for tables with a wax or oil finish as the steps may strip away the wax or oil, requiring re-oiling/waxing.

Tables with varnish and lacquer finishes have a strong protective layer, making removing biro ink that hasn't deeply penetrated the wood easier.

Our recommendation is to apply rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the biro or ink stains and let them sit for 10 minutes. If the ink appears trapped in the wood grain, use a cotton ball or cloth to rub over it in circular motions to help penetrate it.

Ensure the table is wiped, and there's no alcohol left. If any ink remnants remain, you can repeat the process.

How to Remove Water Stains From a Wooden Table

Nothing is quite as noticeable as white water stains on a dining table. These stains often appear in white rings, typically caused by placing cold glasses or hot mugs directly on a wooden table.

However, they don't always form rings; any cold or hot item, such as serving dishes or spilled drinks and food, can create marks. The cloudy appearance of the white marks is due to trapped water on the table's surface finish, resulting from condensation or steam.

It's crucial to recognize that if your watermark is not white but is dark brown or black, it means the water has penetrated the table finish, causing damage to the wood.

This can usually be fixed by sanding the area and applying a protective finish, depending on how deep the damage goes into the wood.

For white cloudy watermarks on your table, the best approach is to remove the trapped water from the top finish.

The easiest way to do this is by using a hairdryer or heat gun; the heat will evaporate the water, helping it escape from the finish.

Here are simple steps to ensure you remove the stains safely without causing further damage to your table:

If the watermark has been on the table for a long time and doesn't completely disappear with the hairdryer, try this next step: apply a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the area and cover it with a piece of kitchen towel overnight.

This might seem unusual, but mayonnaise has a mix of oil and vinegar. The oil will gradually penetrate the wood overnight, restoring the table's color, while the vinegar's acetic acid helps break down the surrounding finish, making the restored area blend in with the existing finish.

These simple tips and tricks should rescue your dining table from water stains.

How to Prevent Water Rings on a Wooden Table

Unfortunately, if you're reading this, you've likely already dealt with water rings on your wooden table. Here are some top tips to prevent water rings on a wooden table in the future:

1. 1. Avoid placing cold and hot drinks directly on your wooden table. Protect your table from moisture and heat by keeping coasters close and ready to use.
2. 2. Use placemats to shield your table from hot or cold plates and serving dishes, rather than placing them directly on the table.
3. 3. Quickly wipe up spills on your table as soon as you notice them.
4. 4. When cleaning your table, don't let it air dry. Use a dry towel to ensure all moisture is promptly removed.

Take good care of your wooden table to make it last longer in your home.