KLD Guide

Wood Care

Oak Wood

  • About Oak Wood

    We love using oak for flooring and furnishings because of its versatility, durability, and its raw natural beauty. If cared for properly, it will last a lifetime or more. Like most things, the key is regular maintenance and gentle care. As you care for your oak wood pieces, reference this guide for getting the most out of your investment.

  • Regular Care

    A weekly wipe with a damp cloth is great for removing dust and preventing build-up. Every few cleanings, use a hardwood-specific cleaner to give a more thorough clean. For spills that are likely to stain, blot up the liquid immediately with a cloth.

  • Extensive Cleaning

    For difficult stains, scratching, or discoloration, you can try to lightly sand the affected area and then apply a hardwax oil. When working with the oil, be sparing at first and ensure that you spread the product evenly over the sanded area. If all else fails, consult a professional furniture restorer.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    To increase the longevity of your wood product, we recommend waxing or sealing the wood every six months. Look for a product with a high content of beeswax to protect the grain and fortify the surface.

  • Additional Care

    Oak enjoys environments with moderate temperatures and balanced humidity. If your oak pieces will live in more extreme conditions, like near a heavily-used air conditioner or furnace, you might need to wax or seal the surface of your pieces more frequently. Leave a small gap between your furnishings and the wall to increase airflow, and never leave oak furnishings outdoors.

Mango Wood

  • About Mango Wood

    Mango wood is one of the most sustainable wood sources in the world. We love using it for furniture for its beautiful graining and wide variety of colors, including everything from light to dark browns, blacksand more colorful varieties that pull pink or yellow. Mango wood is extremely durable, yet soft enough for master artisans to carve and sculpt furniture with.

  • Regular Care

    Simply wipe your mango wood with a dry cloth to remove dust while maintaining the mango wood’s natural wax. Wet cloths may cause discoloration. Use coasters on mango wood furniture to prevent swelling, warps or stains. Always wipe spills immediately.

  • Spot Treatments

    If a stain persists, spot test a matching varnish in a discrete area to treat the spot. Scratches may also be sealed with a matching varnish or paint to prevent further damage. Do not use cleansers with any alcohol, bleach or scents.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    Twice a year, you can buff one a small amount of natural beeswax to add an additional protective layer to the furniture.

  • KLD Tip

    A tried and true designer trick is to rotate your furniture to expose all sides to equal amounts of temperature variation and sunlight exposure.

Acacia Wood

  • About Acacia Wood

    Acacia is an incredible fast growing wood source, which can be farmed sustainably because of it. Its ability to resist water damage and scratching also prevents decay and insect habitation, making it extremely durable and easy to care for.

  • Regular Care

    Because acacia wood is water resistant, you may carefully wipe down the surface with a damp, mildly soapy microfiber cloth. There is no need to use any polish or cleansers on acacia wood. Allow to air dry.

  • Spot Treatments

    If a stain persists, spot test a matching varnish in a discrete area to treat the spot. Scratches may also be sealed with a matching varnish or paint to prevent further damage. Do not use cleansers with any alcohol, bleach or scents.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    Once a year, you can buff one a small amount of natural beeswax to add an additional protective layer to the furniture. You may also use coconut oil up to twice a year. To prevent drying out the wood, do not use any cleansers, detergents or tools with ammonia or alcohol in them.

  • KLD Tip

    Often used outside, we recommend protecting your acacia patio furniture undercover to minimize wear and tear on the furniture. When used indoors, be mindful of how much direct sunlight the wood receives, and rotate the piece accordingly between waxings.

Reclaimed Wood

  • About Reclaimed Wood

    Every KLD home includes at least a few elements of reclaimed wood. These pieces may be in their original vintage condition, or may be vintage wood repurposed in an entirely new furniture piece. You should expect a lot of texture, knots, or small cracks in a reclaimed piece, which adds character to your space.

  • Regular Care

    Due to the uneven surface of reclaimed wood, a soft, natural fiber brush is best to dust out the crevices of the surface. You may also use a handheld vacuum with a horsehair brush to deep clean reclaimed wood pieces.

  • Spot Treatments

    New or old water rings can be lifted using salt or baking soda left to rest on the surface. Vacuum the powder off the reclaimed surface after two hours. When used cautiously, a small amount of furniture polish on a dry microfiber towel can assist in buffing out tough spots.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    Olive or coconut oil, white vinegar and water are the key ingredients to refreshing the surface of reclaimed wood. On untreated wood (not shiny), the oil and vinegar combination works best. On sealed furniture, soap and water on a microfiber cloth will do the trick.

  • KLD Tip

    A tried and true designer trick is to rotate your furniture to expose all sides to equal amounts of temperature variation and sunlight exposure.

Teak Wood

  • About Tweak Wood

    Teak is responsibly sourced and often left with no stain or sealer. It produces its own natural oils and has a tight grain, keeping the wood in great condition and making it water resistant. When exposed to the elements or direct sunlight, it will slowly age from an original golden honey color to a soft light gray. Even after treatment, teak contains oil and rubber to withstand weathering overtime.

  • Regular Care

    We love teak for its durability, stain resistance, and ease of care. A dry microfiber cloth is all that is needed to dust your teak furniture on a weekly basis. If being used outdoors, more frequent dustings may be necessary as dirt collects.

  • Thorough Care

    As with any wood, be sure to wipe up any spills quickly with soapy water and a natural fiber, soft bristled brush. Teak cleaner is available to lift stains that you may have missed. Teak can also be lightly sanded to lift stains or wear, however, if your teak has been stained, the stain will also lift and will need to be reapplied.

  • Refreshing the Surface

    Four times a year, simply apply a natural colored teak oil over your indoor teak furniture using a microfiber cloth, always applying in the direction of the grain to prevent any splintering. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove any excess oil until it is dry to the touch. Outdoor teak is meant to weather to a beautiful silvery gray. Simply wipe with a dry cloth outdoors and avoid pressure washing the surface to prevent damage.

  • KLD Tip

    When properly cared for, teak will begin to change color over time. This process usually takes 5-7 months outdoors, and two years when used indoors where it becomes a richer, deep orange.

Eucalyptus Wood

  • About Eucalyptus Wood

    Most admired for its sustainability and durability, eucalyptus is a fantastic choice for outdoor furniture. Its natural patina is a buttery silver gray when left outside to weather. Do note that eucalyptus frequently expands and contracts, making hairline fractures part of its beautiful aging process.

  • Regular Care

    Immediately address any spills on eucalyptus wood with a dry cloth. Using warm soapy water with a microfiber towel will clean most spills and remove dust successfully. Avoid any cleansers with alcohol or abrasive cleansers. To avoid swelling, do not leave standing water on the surface of eucalyptus furniture.

  • Spot Treatments

    If a stain persists, use salt and a soft bristled natural fiber brush to lift the stain. Scratches may also be sealed with a matching varnish or paint to prevent further damage. Do not use cleansers with any alcohol, bleach or scents.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    No further treatment is necessary on eucalyptus wood, as it will begin the aging process as expected.

  • KLD Tip

    We like to bring our eucalyptus wood undercover in the winter, allowing for full ventilation and protection from the elements.

Natural Pine

  • About Natural Pine

    We love the look of natural pine in our designs and the inherent character it brings to any space. Differences in tone, small cracks, and knots are expected and, from our perspective, bring texture and a lived-in feel to your home.

  • Regular Care

    Regular dusting with a damp cloth followed by a dry one is the best practice for regular maintenance. If your natural pine has small cracks, vacuuming on a gentle setting or using a natural brush should remove any remaining debris.

  • Spot Treatments

    As the result of natural tenons rising to the surface, pine often takes on a blue hue in places over time. This is normal and should be embraced as normal wear and patina. For stains from spills, blot up liquid immediately, then lightly scrub with a mild soap and brush with natural bristles. If all else fails, you can lightly sand the surface to try and remove the stain.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    An even room temperature is needed to maintain the look of natural pine furnishings. Try not to let the space get too hot or too cold. Remember to dust regularly and use coasters to protect from cup rings.

  • KLD Tip

    A very light sanding once per year with a low grit sandpaper will remove any layers of built-up dirt, dust, or oil.

Petrified Wood

  • About Petrified Wood

    The natural fossilization process process, petrified wood is both durable and striking in its appearance. Every piece of petrified wood is entirely unique and is a true piece of art in your home.

  • Regular Care

    Immediately address any spills on petrified wood with a dry cloth. Since it is now fossilized, petrified wood acts more like a natural stone than a wood you are accustomed to. Spills should be immediately blotted, not wiped, to lift any color from the piece. Dust regularly with a lightly damp microfiber cloth.

  • Spot Treatments

    If a stain persists, use salt and a soft bristled natural fiber brush to lift the stain. Do not use cleansers with any alcohol, bleach, ammonia or acetone which may damage the surface.

  • Maintaining the Surface

    Petrified wood is a sturdy, reliable surface, so regular use of coasters or trivets to prevent standing water or heat stains is all the maintenance you need.