Summer Maintenance for Solid Wood Furniture — What Not to Do
Summer is the season for open windows, long days, and sunlight pouring into every corner of your home.
But for your solid wood furniture?
It can also be a time of stress, movement, and unexpected wear.
At YEG Woodcraft, we build every piece to handle Alberta’s climate but a little care goes a long way.
Here’s what not to do during the summer if you want your solid wood table, bench, or sideboard to stay strong, stable, and beautiful for years to come.
1. Don’t Put Your Table in Direct, Prolonged Sunlight
We get it natural light makes your wood grain look stunning.
But UV rays break down wood fibers over time and can cause uneven fading, bleaching, or surface dryness.
Instead:
☀ Use curtains, UV-protective window film, or shift the piece occasionally
☀ Rotate decor or place a runner to prevent patchy fading
☀ Avoid putting light-sensitive items (like oiled finishes) right under a skylight
2. Don’t Skip the Humidity Check
Alberta summers can feel humid but that can swing wildly day to day.
Too much moisture = swelling. Too little = shrinkage and cracking.
Instead:
💧 Keep your home’s humidity level between 35–45%
💧 Use a dehumidifier in especially damp basements or sunrooms
💧 Avoid placing wood furniture too close to AC vents or portable coolers
3. Don’t Use Harsh Cleaners or Disinfectant Sprays
Summer means BBQ sauce spills, sunscreen smudges, and sticky lemonade rings. But reaching for strong household sprays is one of the fastest ways to damage your table’s finish.
Instead:
🧽 Use a soft cloth with warm water and a mild soap
🧴 If your piece is finished with oil, reapply a furniture-safe oil mid-summer if it looks dry
❌ Avoid alcohol-based or citrus-based cleaners they’ll strip the finish fast
4. Don’t Forget to Protect It Outdoors (Even if Covered)
Solid wood and outdoor exposure? Tricky combo.
Even if it’s under a covered deck or in a screened patio, humidity and temperature swings can warp a table that wasn’t designed for outdoor use.
Instead:
🌤 Stick to furniture that’s specifically built for outdoors (teak, sealed cedar, etc.)
🌧 If you're using a solid wood table outdoors temporarily, cover it completely when not in use
📦 Store it indoors during wet weeks or when not in use for extended periods
5. Don’t Ignore Movement It’s Normal
During summer, you may notice your table expand slightly or seams shift just a hair. That’s not a defect. That’s real wood doing what it does.
Instead:
🛠 Trust the process we design every piece to move with the seasons
📩 If something seems off or extreme, reach out and we’ll happily check it
Summer Is for Enjoying Your Furniture Not Worrying About It
Your solid wood furniture is built to last.
But summer adds new variables that most people don’t think about until it’s too late.
A few simple choices avoiding direct sun, balancing humidity, gentle cleaning can keep your piece looking stunning and strong all season long.
We design for the climate. You just need to live with care.