We use natural stains and oils made in New Zealand, rather than using toxic lacquers and polyurethane coatings.

A lot of finished timber tables will have a polyurethane or lacquer finish. We don’t believe that these toxic products do the health of our families or the planet any good. Aside from the fact that it’s toxic, it also doesn’t make timber furniture look better in the long run. The difference is that while a polyurethane or lacquer finish might look like glass on day one, it can start looking damaged as soon as there are small marks or scratches on it. On the other hand, a stained and oiled finish like the ones we use might look less “perfect” on day one, but it wears in, not out. Similar to an old wooden church floor or a leather jacket, it builds character with age that becomes a part of the table. 

Maintaining your interior table with Milky Wax will continue adding a protective layer over time to increase the life of the table, as well as filling in any micro scratches and dents. Your timber contains natural oils that may fade slowly over time to a natural patina, which is normal.

In order to keep your interior table looking it’s best for longer, see the following points:

• Do not use any harsh chemical or abrasive cleaners on the timber. We suggest only using a damp cloth with water to wipe the table down after each use and immediately after any spills.
• Do not place very hot items such as pots and oven trays directly on the wooden top

• Once per month, use a ratio of 1:1 Microwax to water in a spray bottle and a damp cloth to spray and coat the top. Allow to dry for 20 minutes, and buff back with a dry cotton rag. Microwax can be purchased from Health Based Building delivered free to your home via this link (Note, Milky Wax provided with orders is a 1:1 mix)

• Store the table inside your home, not a shed or garage. Solid timber is impacted by temperature and humidity fluctuations. Any significant changes in temperature or humidity need to be gradual. For example, if a table is being delivered in the middle of winter, it will be very cold while on the truck. Do not put it right next to a heater upon arrival.
• Keep out of direct sunlight, and out of extreme temperatures below 10, and above 35 degrees celsius. This is standard practice for any solid timber furniture.

For exterior furniture:

• In the winter months or during heavy rain, cover the furniture with a waterproof tarp when not in use to extend the life of the furniture.

• Coat your new furniture after 3 months, and again every 6-12 months or as needed when showing signs of degradation with Foreverbreathe Exterior Oil available from Health Based Building. Additional oil can be purchased from Health Based Building via this link.

Note that due to the harsh weather conditions in New Zealand, any timber furniture left outside can be expected to show signs of degradation including warping, twisting and cracking. This is the reality of much of the exterior furniture you will see around the country. While our furniture is designed to be left outside, the best thing you can do to minimise and slow down the effects of the elements on timber is to maintain it as per the above instructions and completely cover it when not in use.

Let us know if you have any questions. We also provide a care, coat and repair service should you ever need it.