Remove dirt and dust from wood regularly. Using a soft cloth or similarly gentle dust-collecting tool, gently wipe the entire surface, being careful to follow the grain.

Polish the wood rather than wax it. We recommend the Kitchen Tune-Up cream polish, which you can purchase from your local Kitchen Tune-Up franchise. Be cautious of over the counter sprays and “cleaners” as they may contain silicone or wax products. While these products create a temporary shine, wax attracts dust, dirt and grease that will build up under multiple layers of wax.

Never apply polishes over dirty wood. Before polishing, wipe away all dirt, dust or spills. Applying over dirty wood only makes the problem worse, and can lead to scratches and even worse damage.

Open your windows as often as possible. This gives the wood fresh air and a chance to breathe. Natural humidity is good for wood. Conversely, a controlled environment can dry out wood