Customize & Care · Furniture care
Caring for your furniture
Solid hardwood furniture is made to last for generations, and caring for it is simple.
Care basics
The short version
Dust with a slightly damp cloth along the grain. Polish about once a month with a wax-free, silicone-free polish. Lift objects instead of sliding them. Keep furniture out of direct sun and away from heat vents, and keep indoor humidity between 25 and 45 percent.
Every week or so
Dusting
Regular dusting removes fine particles that can scratch the finish. Lightly dampen a soft cloth, such as an old T-shirt or laundered cheesecloth, with a few drops of water or furniture cleaner.
A dry cloth can leave fine scratches. Use just enough moisture for dust to cling without wetting the wood, and wipe along the grain. Lift lamps and objects rather than sliding them.
Roughly monthly
Polishing
Polish about once a month with a polish that is silicone-free and wax-free.
We do not recommend wax, which offers little protection and builds up over time. To remove old wax residue, use a mild, non-alkaline soap and water before polishing.
Everyday use
Furniture is meant to be used
Accidents happen, especially with small children. These simple habits help protect your furniture.
Lift and place objects rather than dragging them across the surface
Use pads, cloths or coasters to prevent spills, stains and rings
Use coasters and trivets with non-scratch bottoms under glasses and dishes
Place a pad under paper when writing with a ballpoint pen
Put felt under accessories that sit on the wood
Blot spills right away. Do not wipe
Keep plastic and rubber items off the finish, since they can react with it
Keep solvents, alcohol, nail polish and remover away from the surface
Lift furniture to move it. Never drag it
Open and close doors, drawers and lids gently
Keep sharp objects off table and cabinet tops
Store table leaves near the table, not in a damp basement or garage
Heat, humidity and hardwoods
How wood responds to your home
Solid wood keeps absorbing and releasing moisture, so it expands and contracts as heat and humidity change. Your furniture is built from carefully dried lumber, but in the Lowcountry, humidity still matters.
Avoid sudden changes. Use a humidifier in winter and air conditioning in summer to keep relative humidity between 25 and 45 percent, which helps prevent warping and cracking.
Keep pieces out of prolonged direct sunlight and away from furnace ducts, radiators and fireplaces. Store table leaves close to the table so they adjust to the same conditions.
Protection
Guardsman products & plans
We carry the full Guardsman line of fabric and leather protectors, wood repair kits, mattress pads and pillow protectors.
Guardsman protection plans cover accidental stains, pet damage and more. Our most popular five-year plan covers up to $30,000 of furniture. Ask a furniture specialist for details.
And if something goes wrong
Ten-year service guarantee
We will service your furniture at no charge within ten years of delivery, regardless of its construction, finish, fabric or parts defect.
After ten years, parts, labor and transportation may be charged depending on the repair, the age and condition of the piece, and the manufacturer’s warranty.
Visit
Let’s design your room together.
Sit down with one of our furniture specialists. Bring photographs, measurements, a paint chip or simply an idea, and leave with a clear plan for your room.
Book an appointment1750 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston SC · (843) 225-2513