Care
Looking after engineered wood.
What keeps an engineered wood piece looking like itself: how to clean it, what to keep away from it, and how much to ask of it.
Day to day
Keeping a piece looking like itself
Everyday cleaning
A dry or slightly damp cloth, then dry it off. No solvent-based cleaners on laminate — they leave a permanent bloom that cannot be polished out.
Spills and damp
Wipe a spill rather than letting it sit. Keep standing water away from the base and the back panel, and keep the piece out of direct contact with a wet wall.
Heat and sunlight
Use a mat under anything hot. Long hours of direct sun will lighten a finish unevenly, so a piece that sits in a window will age faster on one side.
Loading shelves and drawers
Follow the load limit published on the product page. Where none is stated, spread weight evenly and keep the heavier things on the lower shelves.
Moving a piece
Lift it, never drag it — dragging works the joints loose and can tear the base. Empty the drawers first, and carry a tall piece upright with two people.
Hinges, runners and handles
A door that has dropped or a drawer that catches is usually a screw that has worked loose. Check and tighten them once or twice a year.
Care guides
Read all ideas
Looking after it, in more detail
Longer pieces on cleaning, damp, loading and the small repairs worth doing yourself.
Something here not covering it? Send us a photograph and we will tell you what applies.