How to Care for Your Hardwood Dining Table
A handcrafted dining table is one of the most meaningful investments you can make for your home. But like any quality piece, it rewards a little attention. The good news? Caring for a solid hardwood table is simpler than most people think — and with the right habits, your table will only get more beautiful with age.
At PDX Woodworks, our handmade wood furniture is built to last generations. Here’s how to make sure it does.
Understand Your Finish First
Before anything else, know what finish your table has — because that determines everything about how you care for it.
At PDX Woodworks, our standard finish is a time-tested oil and wax, one of the most trusted approaches in fine furniture making for centuries. We also use Rubio Monocoat, a premium oil and wax finish that penetrates deep into the wood fibers rather than sitting on top as a film. Both finishes are natural, durable, and designed to be maintained — not replaced.
Oil and wax finishes give the wood a warm, natural look and feel. They’re forgiving, easy to spot-repair, and get better with each maintenance coat. If your table came from our custom woodworking shop in Portland, Oregon, it almost certainly has one of these finishes — and that’s a good thing.
Daily Care: Keep It Simple
You don’t need special products for everyday maintenance. A few simple habits go a long way:
Wipe up spills immediately. Water and liquids are the number one enemy of hardwood furniture. Blot spills as soon as they happen — don’t wipe, which spreads moisture further into the grain.
Use a soft, damp cloth for cleaning. For routine cleaning, a lightly dampened cloth followed by a dry one is all you need. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ammonia-based sprays, or anything abrasive — these strip the finish and dry out the wood over time.
Use placemats, coasters, and trivets. Heat and moisture from dishes are the most common causes of damage to solid wood dining tables. A simple trivet under a hot dish can prevent years of wear.
Avoid direct sunlight when possible. Prolonged UV exposure can fade and dry out even the most durable hardwoods. If your table lives near a window, consider a UV-filtering treatment or rotate its position occasionally to even out any exposure.
Seasonal Maintenance: Feed the Wood
Solid wood is a living material — it expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature throughout the year. Keeping it nourished is the key to preventing cracks, checking, and dullness.
Apply a fresh coat of oil and wax once or twice a year. For tables finished with a natural oil and wax or Rubio Monocoat, an annual maintenance coat keeps the wood hydrated and the finish looking its best. This is a simple process — clean the surface, apply a thin coat of the appropriate oil, let it penetrate, and buff to a finish. Most clients find it a satisfying ritual rather than a chore.
Maintain consistent humidity in your home. Wood thrives between 35–55% relative humidity. In Portland’s wet winters and drier summers, a humidifier or dehumidifier can help keep your table stable and prevent seasonal movement from causing stress to joints or finish.
Dealing With Scratches and Wear
Even the most carefully maintained table picks up the occasional scratch or worn patch — especially one that’s being used every day the way a great dining table should be. The beauty of an oil and wax finish is that minor damage is almost always repairable without professional help.
For light scratches: A small amount of finishing oil rubbed into the scratch with a soft cloth will often blend it right back into the surrounding surface.
For deeper scratches or worn areas: A light sand with fine-grit sandpaper followed by a fresh application of oil and wax will restore the surface. The key is feathering the repair into the surrounding area so it blends seamlessly.
For significant damage: That’s where we come in. PDX Woodworks offers furniture restoration in Portland, Oregon, including hardwood furniture refinishing and custom furniture refinishing for pieces that need more than a touch-up. Whether it’s a table we built or one you’ve had for years, we can help bring it back to life.
When to Call in a Professional
Some situations call for more than DIY maintenance. Consider a professional furniture check-up or wood furniture repair in Portland if you notice:
- Deep gouges or cracks that don’t respond to spot treatment
- Joints that have loosened or begun to wobble
- Finish that has worn through completely in high-use areas
- Water damage or staining that has penetrated the wood
Catching these issues early almost always means a simpler, less costly repair. Don’t wait until minor damage becomes a major restoration project.
The Long View
A PDX Woodworks table isn’t designed to be replaced — it’s designed to be maintained. The domestic hardwoods we use, including Pacific maple and black walnut sourced right here in the Pacific Northwest, are chosen for their durability and beauty over time. With a little regular care, a handcrafted dining table from a local furniture maker in Portland can genuinely last a lifetime — and then some.
That’s the whole point.
Questions About Your Table?
If you have questions about caring for your PDX Woodworks table, refinishing an older piece, or commissioning something new, we’d love to hear from you. Stop by our wood furniture showroom in Southeast Portland, or get in touch online.
PDX Woodworks — Handcrafted dining tables made in Portland, Oregon. Built to last. Made to be loved.