Care guide
Solid wood provides a sturdy, long-lasting foundation. With proper care, the quality and beauty of your piece can be easily maintained, and the patina it develops over time will add to its natural character.
Our furniture is finished with Rubio Monocoat, a natural, food-safe hardwax oil. We use this finish because it is non-toxic, highly resistant to daily wear, and easy to repair at home. Instead of forming a plastic-like film, it bonds directly with the wood fibers, allowing the natural grain to shine. This means your piece is safe for your environment and does not require harsh chemicals or traditional furniture polishes, which can actually damage the finish.
For our dining tables, we also apply a layer of Rubio's Sheen Enhancer to provide extra protection against daily spills and to create a subtle, durable luster.
Essential care instructions
- Normal cleaning: Use a damp cloth, Rubio Monocoat's Surface Spray, or a mild dish soap. Avoid harsh cleaners. Wipe with a dry cloth afterward to remove any excess moisture.
- Heat protection: Use coasters or trivets, avoid placing hot items directly on the wood.
- Prevent staining: Standing water, candle wax, red wine, and some spices can stain the surface if left unattended for over 30 minutes.
- Environmental factors: Avoid placing your piece in direct, prolonged sunlight or right next to a heat source to prevent the wood's colour from fading.
- Humidity: Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity. We account for this movement in our designs, so normal seasonal expansion is expected and not problematic.
Common scenarios & solutions
| What happened | How to fix it | Will it leave a mark? |
|---|---|---|
| Wine spill wiped up within 30 mins | Wipe up with a damp cloth or Rubio's Surface Care spray. | No mark |
| Wine spill left for 12+ hours | Spray Rubio's Tannin Remover, let sit, and wipe clean. For stubborn stains, lightly sand the area and apply your sample of Oil Plus 2C. | No long-term mark after treatment |
| Wet cup left without a coaster | Wipe dry. If a water ring remains, use Surface Care spray. If the ring turns dark, use Tannin Remover. | No long-term mark after treatment |
| Hot coffee mug placed on table |
Under 1 minute: Usually wipes clean. 5-10 minutes: Treat light marks with Surface Care or Renew. 15+ minutes: For defined heat rings, lightly sand the area along the grain and reapply your sample of Oil Plus 2C. |
No long-term mark after treatment |
| Child drawing with crayons | Wipe away with Rubio's Surface Care spray or mild soap and a damp cloth. | No mark |
| Child dragging a fork across the surface | Sand out the physical scratch along the wood grain, then reapply your sample of Oil Plus 2C. | No long-term mark after sanding and reapplying oil |
Recommended Care Products
- Rubio's Surface Care Spray (Included with dining tables): Use for weekly cleaning or clearing up minor spills, grease, and crayon marks.
- Rubio's Tannin Remover: Use to remove dark rings, water marks, or dark stains that have reacted with the wood's natural tannins.
- Rubio's Renew: Use when your piece starts to look a bit dry, dull, or has lost its luster after heavy use.
- 150 grit sponge sandpaper: Use to sand down any portion of your furniture before re-finishing
- Sample of Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C (Included with your purchase): Use to fix physical scratches, heat rings, or stubborn stains that require light sanding. Lightly sand the damaged area, apply a small amount of the oil, let it sit for a couple of minutes to bond, and then thoroughly buff off all excess oil with a clean, dry cloth.
