How do I protect a wood table top?
by
Lou
+7
Our new dining room table and sideboard have beautiful wood tops. We are concerned each top may become scratched over time. What wax or other products should we use to protect the tops?
I use tablecloths or placemats for meals (cloth ones). I always use a mat under serving dishes. Since it is new, I would look it up online and find out what the manufacturer recommends if you didn't get care instructions with it. A piece of advice I learned the hard way, is if you use essential oils (with reeds or any other method) as a centerpiece and/or air freshener do not put it on wood furniture. If it gets knocked over, it will damage the finish. I ruined the finish on a painted side table, and my daughter ruined the finish on her dining room table. They both had mats under them, but, the essential oils lifted the finish before it could be cleaned up.
My suggestion is to have glass cut to fit the tabletop and sideboard. It’s the only sure way to prevent scratches & stains. Worth the money!! Linda 🌺
The best way I know is to get table pads that are the right size - those you put on the table under the tablecloth. I would put something under the item displayed on the table or sideboard - a doily (old fashioned, but coming back) a quilted square or table runner. These can be made simply by sewing two rectangles together (right sides together) -leaving a 6-8" space around the middle of the long side open, turn inside out, and press. I don't know of any products that would help except the product they use on bowling alleys.
Back in the day furniture came with table pads or you could purchase separately. I agree with Linda Kay, have glass cut to fit if you are that concerned about scratches and normal wear.
i had table pads made for my solid walnut library table.....grand pa made it in 1922..., and for the walnut dining room table. Well worth it. My mum tend to put a hot pan any where ...
I would order table pads from a custom shop, if your table is extendable. You can get a pad that fits the table in its usual size, and another piece to cover the extended size. The only way to keep tabletops perfect is by, alas, covering them. I do think the sideboard might be better with a glass top, so it's always attractive.
Thank you but we do not want to cover the tops. We ar looking for some type of
protectorate.
My husband traced the top of ours and brought it into our local hardware store and they cut glass to fit the tops. It works wonderful and very pretty!! Easy to keep clean with some windex!!