The Wainhouse Quality Craftsmanship Guarantee - View Terms

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Caring for your wooden furniture

Preserve the craftsmanship. Enjoy the character. Love it for years to come.

Your Wainhouse furniture has been crafted to stand the test of time — but like all natural materials, wood responds to its environment. With the right care, your pieces will continue to age gracefully and remain a proud part of your home for generations.

Here’s everything you need to know to care for your wooden kitchen and dining furniture, whether finished in Osmo oil or Farrow & Ball paint.

Everyday cleaning

Simple care. Long-lasting beauty.

To maintain the finish and integrity of your wooden furniture, we recommend the following:

  • Wipe surfaces regularly with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid using harsh detergents, as chemical cleaners can wear down protective finishes and leave the timber exposed to moisture.
  • For deeper cleaning, we recommend Osmo Spray Cleaner – specially formulated for oiled wood surfaces.
  • Always after cleaning to avoid water marks or swelling.

The second point applies to oiled surfaces only.

Our surface finishes

Protection meets craftsmanship.

All Wainhouse wooden furniture is treated with either:

  • Osmo Wood Oil (in matt or satin), a premium hardwax oil finish developed by Osmo — a company with over 100 years of expertise in eco-friendly, professional wood care.
  • Or Farrow & Ball's modern eggshell finish, their toughest interior paint, offering a subtle sheen and durable protection across our painted collections.

Both finishes are designed to ensure daily use.

Ventilation & Environment

Let wood breathe. Keep it balanced.

Wood is a living material — it naturally expands and contracts as moisture levels in the air change. While this movement is gradual and often unnoticeable, extreme conditions can accelerate it, leading to visible issues such as cracking or gaps in joints.

To avoid this:

  • Keep furniture in a well-ventilated space with stable humidity.
  • Avoid placing furniture in damp environments, such as garages, sheds, basements or attics — even if still boxed.
  • Likewise, , as this can cause the wood to shrink and split.

We recommend maintaining a relative indoor humidity between 45–55% where possible — especially in colder months.

Sunlight, Heat & Surface Protection

Preserve the finish. Avoid common damage.

  • Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause natural colour changes or fading over time. Use blinds or sheer curtains in bright rooms to protect surfaces.
  • Always use coasters, placemats, and trivets to shield wood from heat, moisture, and staining.
  • Avoid placing hot cookware, mugs, or damp items directly onto wooden surfaces.

Caring for Painted Furniture

Refresh as needed. Refinish when desired.

All our painted pieces are finished with Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell, used across our tables, chairs, stools and more. It’s highly durable, yet forgiving — making it easy to refresh your furniture when needed.

If you wish to touch up or repaint:

  1. Clean the surface to remove grease and ensure it’s completely dry.
  2. Lightly sand the area to promote adhesion.
  3. Apply 2–3 coats of Modern Eggshell paint using a fine brush or small roller.
  4. Allow each coat to dry fully, ideally overnight, for a smooth, long-lasting result.

You don’t need to reapply primer unless you’ve sanded the piece back to bare wood.

Our Repair & Aftercare Service

We stand by every piece we make.

From 1st May 2025, every piece of Wainhouse furniture is covered by our Quality Craftsmanship Guarantee, ensuring structural peace of mind. If a qualifying issue arises, we’ll arrange repair or replacement — at no cost to you — including collection and return.

For cosmetic care outside the guarantee, our in-house repair service is available. We can:

  • Fill cracks or gaps
  • Refresh oil finishes or repaint surfaces
  • Colour-match to original finishes where possible

Typical repair costs range from £15–£25 per item, depending on the work required. Once restored, we’ll return your furniture via next-day delivery (shipping fees may apply).

To request a repair, email our team at info@thewainhouseco.com with a description and images. Please note: this service is exclusive to original Wainhouse furniture.

Got questions?

Don't hesitate to contact us