Distressed wood is a design term describing wood furniture that has been crafted with deliberately made nicks, chips and other indentations to give the appearance of age and use. Typically, such wood furniture is stained and sealed, either by oils, paint or lacquer, by the manufacturer or finisher before it's shipped and sold. That final finishing determines the difference in care techniques between distressed finished wood and raw or unfinished wood, no matter the wood species. Determine the type of finish your distressed wood has. In an unobtrusive area, such as behind a table leg or under a lip, place a drop of linseed oil on the wood. Painted or lacquered wood will repel the oil; oiled finishes will quickly absorb it.
Instructions
Oil-Finished Distressed Dining Table
1. Dry-dust oiled distressed wood at least three times a week. Wait to dust your wood dining table until after you've swept the floors, vacuumed, shaken rugs and completed other housecleaning tasks to avoid stirring up additional dust.
2. Protect your distressed wood dining table when it's in use. Avoid placing any items containing liquid on an unprotected table. Use felt mats under dishes and centerpieces to prevent scratching the wood.
3. Oil your dining room table monthly. Add a drop or two of linseed oil to a clean lint-free dust cloth and dust all flat oiled surfaces. Turn your cloth frequently to keep the dusting surface soil-free to avoid scraping or scratching the distressed wood.
4. Grab the dust from the curved or carved areas of your distressed wood dining room table. Apply a few drops of lanolin to the palms of your hands. Run your hands quickly up and down a lamb's wool duster before dusting. Lanolin attracts dust particles. Lamb's wool is soft and flexible enough to reach into the concave nicks common to distressed furniture.
5. Wet a clean lint-free cloth and wring it repeatedly until it is just damp. Damp-dust your hard-finished distressed wood table at least three times a week. Turn the cloth frequently and dust only with a clean surface to avoid scratching the wood.
6. Use a feather duster to clear dust from the indentations and carved or curved ornamentation on your distressed wood dining table. Repeat with a just-damp cloth, then dry if necessary, with a new clean cloth.
7. Place coasters and place-mats under items when the dining table is in use. A damp cloth rubbed gently and briefly across soiled spots or food residue makes for quick clean-up after meals.
8. Polish your hard-finished wood dining table with a paste wax specially formulated for wood twice a year. Wipe and polish well, removing all residue, until furniture is restored to its natural shine.
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