Caring For A Live Edge Table After Purchase
Proper aftercare for your live edge table is essential so that it withstands the test of time. Live edge tables are not cheap, so you’ll want to properly care for them to ensure they’re worth the investment.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to care for your live edge table after you buy it.
Quick Tips To Care for Your Live Edge Tabletop
Below are quick tips for caring for your table. Continue reading for more details!
- Clean your table with warm water and a microfiber rag.
- Use hot pads, placemats, and coasters as a preventative measure to keep your table from getting damaged and scratch. It’s important to remember that real wood can be damaged by anything thats harder than the wood – which typically includes glasses, bowls, plates, silverware, etc.
- Use Vesting’s maintenance oil for tables finished with LED hardwax oil to repair minor scratches and repel dirt and moisture.
- Store indoors only in homes with consistent temperatures. If stored outdoors or in areas with varying moisture levels, warping will occur with time.
- Mount on a base as soon as possible once your table is delivered. How To Clean Your Table
Obviously, every dining room table should be cleaned after it’s used to remove germs, as well as any spilled food or drinks.
Cleaning may vary based on what finish was used on the table. Our most common finish, Rubio Monocoat and Nan3, as well as other finishes such as epoxy, can be cleaned using a rag and warm water. When cleaning your table, a soft rag should be used. We recommend microfiber, but any soft rag will do!
Most finishes are highly resistant to chemicals once cured, so most wood cleaners are also fine to use. Many of our customers use pledge and other sprays to clean their live edge dining tables.
How To Repair A Scratch
Repairing a scratch will also vary based on the finish type. For a finish such as epoxy or polyurethane, you may need to sand down your table and completely refinish it, depending on how bad the scratch is.
Our most common finish, Rubio Monocoat and Nan3, can be repaired locally. This means that you can simply refinish small sections if needed.
The maintenance oil can be purchased here for around $21. We do recommend ordering some, as it will also help your table repel dirt, moisture, and anything else it may come into contact with.
Where to Store a Live Edge Table
Proper storage is essential for your table. You’ll want to keep your table mounted in an area that’s room temperature. These tables are only designed for indoor use.
Areas that vary in temperature frequently are not usually the best fit for your table, as the wood will expand and contract frequently which causes cracks, warping and ultimately damage.
We do not recommend live edge tables for areas such as cabins or garages since they aren’t typically heated year-round.
Coasters, Placemats, & Hot Pads. Do I Need To Use Them?
Coasters and placemats are highly recommended. Our hardwax oil finish is extremely water resistant, but not waterproof.
We have had very few issues with swelling from customers who prefer to not use coasters or placemats, but the manufacturer of the finish does recommend it.
Placemats can be used to also protect the top. These can help you avoid minor scratches caused by moving dinnerware around your table.
If you plan on putting a hot pot, pan, or even bowl on the table, we highly recommend using a hot pad to avoid damage. High heat can easily mark wood surfaces.
Questions About Caring For Your Table?
If you have questions about caring for your live edge table, we can help. Please be sure to ask us any questions you may have prior to ordering your table.
If you’ve already purchased your table, simply contact us online to ask any maintenance questions you have. Please note that the tips in this guide are specifically for the finishes we use and may or may not be recommended for a table purchased elsewhere. Maintenance varies based on location, the finish used, and more.
Questions? Comment below! Please don’t include links or your comment won’t be approved.
Is oiling required?
Not necessarily, but it can bring back the shine on an older piece!
Hi Nolan, My daughter has a lovely live edge table. It does not appear to have any finish on it. I have one, as well, but mine does have a finish. She has five children. The triplets are now two. We have found that the wood is very flat in the area they eat at. The housekeeper only use microfiber clothes that are slightly damp. This area is wiped more often and is getting lighter. I want to bring the table back to one beautiful rich color. It is an extremely high quality and design. It seats ten people. Twelve if you seat two on the ends. Does it sound like the polish you sell would work? I am trying to find out the type of wood it is. It appears to be mahogany.
Hey Susan,
That polish is typically recommended for the LED hardwax oil finish, but I wouldn’t think that’s what was used. This finish has very expensive equipment involved, so most don’t use it. If the table is in good shape, it may just need a light surface sand and refinished, which is typically only a 1-2 day process depending on the finish and that should bring it back to life! It will likely be slightly different than new as wood changes colors as it ages, but will bring back the pop in the grain similar to before!
Hello. Should we cover the table with plastic when the table is in use, or does this impact the natural breathing process of the wood?
You shouldn’t have to! Many of our customers use placemats as real wood will get damaged with time especially if you’re sitting metal and other objects on it. But a table can always be refinished if that happens over time so we recommend showing off the creation!