Oak table top care: lacquered or untreated, how to keep it looking good

How you care for an oak table top depends on the finish. A stained top with two coats of clear matt lacquer only needs wiping with a slightly damp cloth. An untreated top you finish yourself and oil again as soon as it looks dry.

Which finish does your oak top have

• Stained and lacquered: the standard. The top is stained in the chosen colour and finished with two coats of clear matt lacquer. The lacquer forms a closed layer over the wood.
• Untreated: the top is delivered bare, with no stain and no lacquer. You finish it yourself, for example with oil, and then maintain that protection yourself.

Daily care of a lacquered oak top

• Wipe: with a slightly damp microfibre cloth, with a drop of pH-neutral soap if needed.
• Dry: always with a dry cloth. Do not leave water standing on the top.
• Trivets and coasters: for hot pans, glasses and cups. Heat can damage the lacquer.
• Felt pads: under dishes, candle holders and decorations you slide across the top.

What you never do

• No bleach, ammonia or abrasive cleaners: they attack the lacquer.
• No scouring pads or sandpaper on a lacquered top.
• No wet dishcloth left lying: prolonged moisture can affect the lacquer.
• No oil or wax on a lacquered top: it does not soak in and leaves a greasy film.

Removing stains and rings

• White rings from glasses: usually sit in the lacquer. Let the top dry well; they often fade on their own. If the ring stays, get in touch.
• Grease: a cloth with a drop of washing-up liquid in lukewarm water, then dry.
• Dark marks: often caused by prolonged moisture or metal. Try a mild cleaner. If that fails, get in touch before you start sanding.

Scratches in the lacquer

Small scratches in the lacquer mostly show in raking light and hardly stand out in use. Never sand a lacquered top yourself: you enlarge the spot and make the colour uneven. Deep scratches into the wood call for a new finish.

Caring for an untreated oak top

You protect an untreated top yourself. Oil it after delivery in a thin layer, along the grain, and wipe off the excess once it has soaked in. Repeat whenever the top looks dull or dry, or when water no longer beads.

With an untreated top you choose the colour of the knot filler yourself when ordering: light, dark or black. It affects how the top looks after oiling.

Wood moves with the seasons

Oak takes up moisture and releases it again. In winter, heating dries the air; in summer it is more humid. Small movements as a result are normal. Do not place the table right against a radiator or stove.

Having it refinished

A solid oak top can be sanded, stained and lacquered again. That is the big advantage of solid wood over veneer. If the lacquer has worn in many places after years, this is the answer.

Signs of use belong to it

Oak develops a deeper, warmer colour over the years. A few signs of use tell the table's story. Want a top that is exactly the same after ten years and needs no care? Look at ceramic table tops. Love warmth and grain? Then oak remains the choice: read about an oak dining table made to measure or see the oak table tops.

Frequently asked questions

Should I oil a lacquered oak table top?

No. Wipe a lacquered top with a slightly damp cloth and dry it. Oil does not soak into lacquer.

How do you clean an oak table?

With a slightly damp microfibre cloth, with a drop of pH-neutral soap if needed, then dry with a dry cloth.

How often do I oil an untreated oak top?

After delivery and then whenever the top looks dull or dry, or water no longer beads. How often depends on use.

Can a hot pan go on an oak table?

No. Always use a trivet; heat can damage the lacquer.

Can an oak table top be refinished?

Yes. A solid oak top can be sanded, stained and lacquered again.