Quick answer: Keep indoor humidity around 35–50%, using a humidifier in heated winter months and air conditioning or a dehumidifier in muggy summers. Keep wood away from vents and strong sun, dust weekly, wipe spills fast and wax once or twice a year. Small seasonal movement is normal.
Four real seasons
Upstate New York has hot, humid summers and cold winters with dry, heated indoor air. Solid wood swells slightly in the damp months and shrinks in the dry ones. Good construction allows for this movement.
Your job is to keep the swings moderate.
Spring
As the heat turns off, humidity rises. Dust thoroughly, check hardware for anything that loosened over winter and clean off any salt or grit tracked inside.
Spring is also a good time to rearrange and rotate pieces away from sunny windows.
Summer
Run air conditioning or a dehumidifier during long humid spells. Drawers and doors may feel snug — that's normal. Keep pieces out of direct afternoon sun.
Use coasters for cold drinks to prevent condensation rings.
Fall
Before the heating season, wax tabletops and the tops of a console table or sideboard. Move furniture away from vents and radiators.
Fall is also a good time to check wall-mounted shelves.
Winter
Heated indoor air can drop below 25 percent humidity. Run a humidifier to stay near 35 to 45 percent. Keep wood at least a few feet from radiators, fireplaces and wood stoves.
Wipe up snowmelt quickly near entry furniture.
Everyday cleaning
Dust weekly with a dry microfiber cloth. For sticky spots, use a barely damp cloth with mild soap, then dry immediately. Avoid silicone sprays and all-purpose cleaners.
Lift objects instead of sliding them across the surface.
Vanities and bathrooms
Bathrooms see the biggest humidity swings. Run the exhaust fan during and after showers, wipe water off the vanity top and keep a mat in front.
Doors may feel slightly different from season to season.
What's normal
Small seasonal gaps between boards or drawers that slide differently between summer and winter are natural. Growing splits or loose joints aren't — email us with photos if you see them.
With steady humidity and a little wax, solid wood thrives in every season.
Closed-up rooms and second homes
Lake houses and guest rooms that sit closed for weeks need steady air. Keep the heat at a moderate setting in winter, run a dehumidifier in summer and leave doors open for airflow. Cover pieces with breathable cotton, not plastic.
Check the hygrometer when you visit.
A simple care kit
Keep a soft microfiber cloth, a bottle of mild soap, a can of clear paste wax, a few felt pads and a hygrometer in one basket. Most wood care takes only minutes when the tools are at hand.
Small habits keep solid wood looking new for decades.
Moving furniture between seasons
If you rearrange rooms or move pieces to a porch for summer, lift instead of drag and remove drawers first. Avoid storing furniture in an unheated garage or barn where temperature and humidity swing widely.
Give a piece a day to acclimate after moving it between very different spaces.
Quick fixes for small marks
Light scratches often disappear with a little furniture wax or a matching wax stick. White water rings can sometimes be lifted with gentle warmth from a hair dryer on low. For deeper damage, contact us with photos before trying anything aggressive.
Most marks on solid wood can be improved with patience.
Outdoor and porch pieces
Solid wood benches and tables on a porch need extra care. Keep them under cover, lift them off wet decking with pads, oil them each spring and bring cushions inside after use.
In winter, store outdoor pieces in a dry shed or cover them with breathable fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What indoor humidity is best?
About 35–50%.
When should I wax wood furniture?
Before winter, and again in spring if needed.
Are seasonal gaps normal?
Yes — they usually close as humidity changes.
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