Timber on a desk is a quiet pleasure. It is warm under the hand, and it changes slowly over the years. Looking after it is simple. Mostly, it is about knowing what to avoid.
Here is a short, practical guide to caring for walnut and other wooden desk pieces, drawn from conservation and wood science guidance.
Wood responds to the air around it
Wood is a natural material, and it never stops reacting to its surroundings. The Canadian Conservation Institute, part of the Government of Canada, explains this well in its basic care guide for wooden furniture and objects. When the air becomes more humid, wood absorbs water and swells a little. When the air dries out, it gives off moisture and shrinks.
The same guide notes that these changes can cause wood to split or crack, and may damage its finish. High humidity can also encourage mould. So the aim is steadiness. Wood is happiest away from big, sudden swings.
What a finish does, and what it does not
Most wooden pieces carry a finish of some kind. A chapter of the Wood Handbook from the US Forest Products Laboratory, Finishing of Wood, describes how finishes help protect wood, preserve its appearance and make it easier to clean. It also notes that the level of protection varies with the type of finish, its quality and amount, and how it was applied.
Finishes behave in different ways. A University of Minnesota extension bulletin on wood finishing describes oil finishes as sinking into the wood, while varnish forms a film on the surface. It also notes that oil finishes can be renewed with additional coats.
Whatever the finish, it is worth knowing its limits. A Forest Products Laboratory study, The Moisture Excluding Effectiveness of Finishes on Wood Surfaces, compared a range of finishes. Only 11 of them held back moisture vapour with any real success over 14 days. The report also notes that moisture affects the shrinking and swelling of wood. The takeaway is simple. A finish helps, but it is not a waterproof shell.
Simple care, week to week
- Dust with a dry, soft cloth. This is all most pieces need, most of the time.
- If something needs more, use a barely damp cloth, then dry the surface straight away.
- Keep liquids off the timber. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that water spills can leave cloudy white patches on a wood finish, and suggests coasters for drinks and keeping potted plants off furniture.
- Skip polish and solvents. The same guide notes that some furniture polishes leave residues that build up and can affect finishes. It also says wood does not need to be "fed".
Light and heat
Light is the slow one. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that light can turn light woods dark and bleach out dark woods. It can also affect the finish on the surface. Walnut is a dark timber, so prolonged direct sun will lighten it over time.
The fix is easy. Keep wooden pieces out of long spells of direct sunlight. Blinds or curtains help on a desk near a bright window. Heat is worth watching too. The guide suggests keeping wooden pieces away from fireplaces, heaters and heat vents.
The wooden pieces on a Settl desk
Our pieces are meant for everyday use, and the care is the same quiet routine.
The Headphone Stand has a walnut base and a matching timber top support, joined by a slim metal frame. The base is weighted, and the stand is 25 cm high. To look after it:
- Dust with a dry, soft cloth.
- If needed, use a barely damp cloth, then dry it immediately.
- Do not stand liquids on the timber.
- Keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight, which will lighten the finish over time.
- Do not use solvent based cleaners or furniture polish.
The Note Card Holder is a small wooden piece that holds one card upright. Dust it with a dry, soft cloth and keep liquids off the timber. The Laptop Stand is made from two independent wooden supports, and the same gentle habits suit it well.
That is really all there is to it. Dust, keep it dry, keep it out of the harsh sun, and leave the polish in the cupboard. If you are looking for a calm, wooden home for your headphones, The Headphone Stand is a good place to start.
Sources
- Canadian Conservation Institute, Basic care: furniture and objects made of wood. Wood swells and shrinks with humidity, light darkens or bleaches wood, water spills mark finishes, polish residues, avoid heat sources and direct sun.
- Williams, Finishing of Wood, Wood Handbook, USDA Forest Products Laboratory, 1999. Finishes protect wood and ease cleaning; protection varies with finish type, quality, amount and application.
- Zabel, University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service, wood finishing bulletin, 1966. Oil finishes sink into the wood, varnish is a film type finish, oil finishes can be renewed with more coats.
- Feist, Little and Wennesheimer, The Moisture Excluding Effectiveness of Finishes on Wood Surfaces, USDA Forest Products Laboratory, 1985. Only 11 finishes tested held back moisture vapour with real success over 14 days; moisture affects shrinking and swelling.