The important thing to remember about all wood is that it was a living organism. Just like you, plants are made of cells that contain a lot of water and just like you would dry out in a desert, so will your wood furniture.
We have already coated your new Acacia wood picnic table with a food grade protective oil. Over time, this protective layer may diminish, and the Acacia wood may become susceptible to damage. We recommend that you reapply a coat of food grade oil to the wood’s surface once or twice annually. Mineral oil is an inexpensive and popular choice, and you can easily find bottles in most kitchen supply stores or on Amazon.com. Alternatively, you can use a homemade mixture of beeswax and mineral oil.
Furniture oils and waxes both create a protective barrier between the wood and the air and as with any debate people tend to defend their choice with vehemence.
So, how do you choose?
Furniture oils must be applied often, but the application is quite painless. Furniture wax or paste wax creates a harder finish that can last up to a year on high use and much longer. However applying paste wax will be more time consuming, but a quick buffing will keep the Picnic Table looking good between applications.
Keep in mind that we are discussing furniture polish, not finish. The finish of a piece of wood is the stain or varnish and that also acts as a protective barrier for your table. The furniture wax or polish also helps preserve the finish.
General Tips
- Whatever you do, stay away from any product with silicone, which can dry out natural wood over time.
- Do not use detergents or any cleaning products that contain ammonia. These will take moisture out of the wood and wear down the finish much faster.
- Wipe down periodically with a slightly damp or dry dust cloth.
- We recommend using placemats and coasters when resting hot drinks or dishes on the Picnic Table.
- Place your Picnic Table carefully so that it’s not in contact with direct sunlight (this can cause fading and, in extreme cases, cracking).
- Do not place your Picnic Table next to fireplaces or heaters as this can cause warping.
- Clean spills from acacia wood with a soft cloth moistened with warm, soapy water. Dry the Picnic Table with a second soft cloth or allow it to air-dry.
- If you feel that your furniture has lost its gloss, then you can apply shine restoring products.
When you buy any shine restoring product, read its specifications, and make sure that it is suitable for Acacia wood. It is not that difficult to take care of the Acacia wood, but you surely need to take efforts to keep the Acacia wood stunning. The above tips will help you enhance the longevity of your Picnic Table.
Must Read: Everything You Need to Pack for the Perfect Picnic
Caution
- DO NOT stand or sit on the picnic table.
- DO NOT put fingers between folding legs. Keep away from children and pets. Always supervise children when around or using the picnic table.
- DO NOT immerse in water, only use a damp cloth to wipe clean. Immediately clean any spills to avoid staining.
- DO NOT use harsh chemicals to clean the surface. If required, only use a mild detergent only.
- DO NOT place this product next to a fireplace, heater or in direct sunlight.
- DO NOT place HOT or CHILLED items directly on to the surface, use a drink coaster or stains may occur.
- DO NOT use a knife or cutting utensil directly on the surface as it will damage the wood surface, please use a cheese board, slate or plate.
- DO NOT leave in a hot car. Store in a cool, dry place.
Note
Acacia wood is a natural product and will expand if subjected to damp and will shrink and may crack if subjected to heat. Your picnic table can experience small movements and cracks as it adjusts - this is not a fault, but a natural occurrence within the fibers of a natural product. We advise you to keep the product in consistent, stable conditions to minimize the effects of temperature and moisture change in the atmosphere.
We do not warrant products due to variations in wood color, grain and texture. Finishes are not guaranteed to be a perfect match due to various hand applications of materials and selection. There will be variation in color, texture and shading. Each product is unique, no two are the same.
