How to Care for a Root-Wood Candleholder
A piece made to last decades needs a little attention. Here is a plain guide to looking after it.
Wood is alive in its own way. It responds to air, to heat, and to the people who handle it.
Summary
- Keep the piece away from direct heat, strong sun, and standing water.
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth and refresh the finish with a little oil or wax when it looks dry.
- Handle it with care, since it is heavy and the base is the key to stability.
Key takeaways
- Wood reacts to humidity and temperature, so stable conditions are best.
- Light, regular care is better than occasional heavy cleaning.
- A simple natural finish is easy to renew.
A root-wood candleholder is sturdy, but it is still wood. A little attention goes a long way.
Where to keep it
Choose a spot away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating vents. Intense heat dries wood quickly and can encourage cracks. Avoid places that get blasted by direct sun for many hours a day, which can fade the color unevenly over time.
Steady conditions are best. Wood prefers a room with moderate humidity and no sudden swings. A very dry room, or an unusually damp one, puts more stress on it.
Everyday cleaning
Dust the piece with a soft, dry cloth. If something sticks, a barely damp cloth is fine, followed by a dry one. Do not soak it, and do not use harsh cleaners, solvents, or abrasive pads. They can strip the finish and damage the surface.
Refreshing the finish
Our pieces are finished by hand in mineral oil and natural beeswax. Over time, the surface may look a little dull or dry. When it does, put a few drops of food-safe mineral oil on a clean cloth and rub it in gently, following the grain. Let it soak in, and buff off any excess. A small amount of natural beeswax polish can follow.
Do this lightly and not too often. The wood tells you when it needs it, by looking thirsty.
Candles and wax
Use a pillar candle that fits the plate, and avoid letting wax pool and harden on the wood. If wax does spill, let it cool fully and lift it gently with your fingernail or a plastic card, then buff the spot. Never scrape with a metal tool.
Moving it
These pieces are heavy. Lift from the base with both hands, not by the neck or the top. Place it on a stable, level surface where it will not be knocked.
Common-sense limits
We make no claim that wood is indestructible. Falls can crack it. Water can mark it. Treated gently, it should look better with age, as the oil settles and the surface develops a soft glow.
For more on the finish itself, see Mineral Oil and Beeswax: Why We Finish Slowly.
Common questions
Can I use furniture polish?
We recommend food-safe mineral oil and natural beeswax rather than commercial polishes, which can leave residues or alter the finish.
What if it gets a small crack?
Contact us. Wood can respond to changes in humidity, and we can advise on what to do.
Keep reading
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