How To Clean Wood Coffee Table

Maintenance, Care, and Prevention
When cleaning a wooden coffee or end table, the most important thing is to keep it clean in the first place.

To keep your tabletop clean, here are some of the best practices you should implement:

Avoid heat
It goes without saying that heat and wood don't go well together. This is especially true for wooden coffee tables. Heat can damage not only the surface of the wood, but the wood itself.

So if you're having a cup of coffee or hot tea, always make sure you have coasters to place your cup on. If you're having a hot meal or a bowl of soup, always use placemats so that your plate doesn't come into direct contact with the wood.

If the finish or wood is damaged in this way, you can't just clean it off. It will require a professional to repair it, so it's best to avoid it in the first place.

Take Care of Your Pets
Cats and dogs love to chew or scratch things. It's just a part of life. Sometimes, your furniture is their favorite toy. However, when you have a well-made wooden coffee table, damage from chewing and scratching can become very noticeable and difficult to repair.

Always keep an eye on your pet (as best you can, of course). If you know your pet will destroy furniture, make sure they have access to scratching posts or chew toys so your furniture is safe.

Minimize Food and Drinks
Spills, stains, and heat damage are the biggest culprits for damage and dirty coffee tables. If you want to protect your coffee table, the best thing to do is to avoid placing food and drinks on it altogether.

Unfortunately, this somewhat defeats the purpose and function of a coffee table. A solid compromise is to keep it to a minimum. Maybe you only eat and drink at your coffee table on special occasions, like parties or family gatherings. Come up with a system that works for you, meets your needs, and makes you happy.
Beware of Too Much Light
Too much light can also damage wooden furniture. Light can cause the color and finish to fade. If possible, keep your coffee table out of direct sunlight to extend its life.

Humidity and Temperature
Wood is affected by the elements in many ways. Sudden changes in humidity and temperature can cause the wood to warp and warp, and once damage is done, it can't be repaired. Keep the temperature and humidity consistent in your home to avoid damage.

Clean Regularly
Next, clean your coffee table regularly. If you let dust, oils, and spills sit on your coffee table for too long, it can damage the surface and the table itself.

Weekly Dusting and Wiping
Generally speaking, it's wise to properly dust and wipe your wooden coffee table at least once a week. This prevents dust and debris from building up, keeping the wood and the surface looking great.

To do this, use a microfiber rag or towel and a cleaner. For the cleaner, you can use any general-purpose multi-surface cleaner you have on hand.

Spot Cleaning
If you spill something on your coffee table, clean it up immediately. Don't let anything sit on the table for too long. The longer a spill sits on the table, the worse the stain will get.

When spills do occur, wipe them off using the cleaners and rags we mentioned above. Again, make sure the table is dry to avoid damage.

Polishing and Shining
Standard weekly cleaning of a wooden coffee table isn't really that different from cleaning other types of coffee tables. The difference is that you'll need to polish the wood regularly to maintain the finish and protect the wood.

The finish of the wood, whether it's a varnish, wax finish, paint, or coating, is a protective layer for the wood. However, this protective layer will naturally wear off over time. To keep this layer strong, polish it (this will also help keep the wood looking nice).