'Treat Wood Like Skin' How This Strange Advice Can Save Your Wood Furniture

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Wood is a living archive of time. It holds memories in its grains, warms a room without saying a word, and somehow manages to be both strong and delicate at the same time. Yet, we often treat it like any other inanimate object. We plop it in the sun and wipe it with all sorts of solutions, then wonder why it loses that lustrous glow we fell in love with. Noah Morse, cofounder of the furniture company Hetta, shared with RealSimple, "I always tell people to treat wood like skin." At first, it sounds a tad odd — how could a dining table or a bookshelf possibly need the kind of care we give our own skin? But the truth hits home fast. Just like our skin, wood is sensitive to environmental factors. Treating it with that level of attentiveness can protect it from harsh sunlight and errant water drops, keeping it as vibrant as the day it joined your home.

The thing is, wood faces a constant barrage from the world around it, and sunlight is its most underestimated enemy. Those golden rays strip wood of its natural oils, leaving it dry. Even a few hours of direct sun a day can create uneven coloring, with one side of a table glowing warmly while the other looks washed out. But sunlight isn't the only culprit. Harsh cleaning chemicals can also remove the protective oils that the wood relies on to stay nourished. Therefore, the simple tip you need for long-lasting wooden furniture is to consider it as something that breathes and something that responds to touch and attention.

Think about how you care for your skin. You slather on sunscreen before stepping outside, even on cloudy days, because sunlight is relentless. Those UV rays break down collagen and leave your skin prematurely aged. Wood isn't all that different than skin. Sunlight seeps into its fibers and makes it fragile over time. To save your gorgeous wood furniture, give it a "sunscreen" of its own — a UV-resistant finish like the HOWARD SunShield Furniture Polish. Unlike your daily skincare ritual, this wood sunscreen only needs reapplication every one to two years. That's it. And if you really want to protect the wood furniture in your home, install UV-blocking blinds. They bounce away harmful rays and keep your furniture protected from fading.

Now, let's talk about chemicals. Just like our skin is sensitive to harsh, chemical-based products, wood also has its vulnerabilities. Bleach and certain acid-based cleaners may promise a quick shine, but they leave your furniture prone to cracks or discoloration. So, avoid trusting every DIY cleaning tip on the internet and stick to wood-safe solutions. 

Finally, just like your skin gets compromised when it's constantly exposed to water, wood has its own version of a damaged barrier. Applying a water-repellent sealant like the YKF Transparent Waterproof Sealant creates a shield between the wood and water. Spills won't soak in, condensation from cold glasses won't leave rings, and your furniture will remain resilient. In essence, pamper wood the way you pamper your skin: protect it, respect it, and it will stay beautiful for years.