Looking after a resin table, resin art or a wooden board
None of this takes long. Each section starts with the care I wrote for my own pieces, then general advice for resin and oiled wood.
Resin coffee tables
Resin tables are as low maintenance as any other furniture, and only need a clean every now and then. Glass cleaner is the best thing for the resin. If you haven't got any, a regular surface cleaner works just fine.
The resin stands up to scratches and heat in everyday use, but I'd still use coasters for hot drinks. Keep the table away from an active radiator too, because long spells of heat can soften the resin slightly, which makes it easier to scratch or dent.
General advice for resin tables
- Wipe up spills as they happen, especially red wine and coffee.
- Skip scouring pads, abrasive creams and solvents like nail polish remover. They can dull or mark the finish.
- Coasters cover mugs. Anything bigger and hot, like a teapot or a serving dish, goes on a mat.
- Felt pads under lamps and ornaments stop them scuffing the top.
- Lift the table to move it rather than dragging it on its legs.
- Wipe the steel legs with a damp cloth, then dry them.
Resin art
Every painting has a clear layer of resin on top to protect the design. Keep it out of high heat and strong direct light for long periods, as either can soften the resin and make it easier to scratch. To clean it, use glass cleaner on a soft cloth.
General advice for resin art
- Dust it now and then with a soft, dry cloth.
- Hang it on a wall fixing that suits your wall and the weight of the piece.
- Don't hang it right above a radiator or a fireplace.
Wooden chopping boards
All my boards are finished with mineral oil, which is food safe, for a soft sheen and some protection from water. Water resistant isn't waterproof, though. Wood is still alive and can warp and twist if it's left in water or in direct sunlight for too long.
To clean it, rinse the board, wipe it down with a sponge and dry off the water. Then let it air dry with every side open to the air. The rubber feet help with that.
If it's looking a little dull after a while, coat it in any food-safe oil you have lying around, like olive or sunflower. Grab a lint-free cloth, put a small amount of oil on the board and work it into the wood. It should end up smooth with a natural sheen. If the board feels sticky, that's too much oil, so wipe the extra away with kitchen towel.
End-grain boards
End-grain boards need a bit more care, as they're more prone to warping and bending. Dry them off properly and leave them to air dry standing on their rubber feet. Store them on their feet or standing upright. Left leaning at an angle for a long time, they can bend.
General advice for wooden boards
- Never put a wooden board in the dishwasher, and don't leave it soaking in the sink.
- Warm water with a little washing-up liquid is fine. Rinse it off and dry the board straight away.
- After raw meat or fish, wash it straight away in hot soapy water, then dry it.
- Oil it more often while it's new, or whenever the wood starts to look pale and dry.
- Light knife marks can be sanded out with fine sandpaper, working along the grain, then oiled again.
If your question isn't here, ask me
Email me at umar@ustudios.art with the piece and the question. I'm happy to help.
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