Wood Care: How to Remove Water Rings, Clean Hardwood and Refresh the Finish
Every Suquino Studio piece is solid hardwood finished with Osmo hard wax oil. Our wall coat rack, for example, uses Osmo Polyx Hard Wax Oil 3054 Clear Satin. An oil finish soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top like varnish, so you can clean it, fix small marks and refresh it yourself at home, without stripping the whole piece.
Everyday cleaning
Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
For marks, wipe with a cloth that is damp, not wet. Osmo makes a mild cleaner for oiled wood called Wash and Care.
Dry the surface straight away.
Skip all-purpose household cleaners. They can strip an oil finish.
How to remove water rings from wood
First, look at the color of the ring. It tells you how deep the water went.
White or cloudy rings
A white ring means moisture is trapped near the surface. It is usually the easier kind to fix.
Wipe the area dry and leave it alone for a day. Many white rings fade on their own as the moisture escapes.
If it's still there, warm it gently with a hair dryer on low, held a few inches away and kept moving, until the ring fades.
If a mark remains, refresh that spot with a thin coat of oil (see "How to refresh the finish" below).
Dark rings
A dark ring means water has reached the wood itself. On a hard wax oil finish you can usually repair just that spot: clean it, rub it lightly with a fine finishing pad, wipe away the dust, then apply a thin coat of the same oil. The new oil blends with the old. A deep, dark stain in the wood may need more work. Ask us before you sand.
How to stop water rings coming back
Put a coaster under every glass. Our solid hardwood coasters have a cork inlay that catches the condensation from your drink.
Wipe up spills as soon as they happen.
Refresh the finish when it starts to look dry or dull. A healthy oil finish resists water much better than a worn one.
How to refresh the finish
Clean the piece and let it dry completely.
If the surface feels rough or has light marks, rub it gently with a fine finishing pad and wipe the dust away.
Wipe on a thin coat of the same Osmo oil.
Wipe off the excess with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Let it dry overnight before you use the piece again.
Not sure which finish your piece has? Email ashley@suquinostudio.com and we'll tell you.
Wood care questions
How often should I re-oil?
There's no fixed schedule. Re-oil when the surface starts to look dry, dull or worn. Pieces you use every day, like coasters, will need it sooner than a wall rack.
Can I use regular household cleaners?
It's best not to. All-purpose cleaners can strip an oil finish. Use a damp cloth, or a cleaner made for oiled wood.
Can I fix a water ring without refinishing the whole piece?
Usually, yes. A hard wax oil finish can be repaired in one spot: clean it, lightly rub it with a fine pad, and apply a thin coat of the same oil.
Is a hard wax oil finish waterproof?
It resists spills well, but it isn't waterproof. Water left standing can still mark it, so wipe up spills and use coasters.