To keep a high gloss computer desk looking its best for years, dust it often with a clean microfibre cloth, wipe spills with a damp cloth and mild washing up liquid, and dry it straight away. Avoid abrasive pads, furniture polish and strong chemical sprays, and protect the surface with a desk mat, coasters and felt pads. These few habits prevent nearly all the scratches, smears and dull patches that make gloss look tired.
High gloss is a popular finish for home offices because it reflects light, looks crisp and suits contemporary rooms. If you are choosing a new desk, our collection of modern high gloss computer desks UK offers a range of sizes and colours. Whether your desk is new or a few years old, the care routine below will help it keep its shine.
Most high gloss desks are made from a stable board such as MDF, finished with several layers of lacquer or a smooth laminate that is polished to a mirror like surface. The board gives the desk its strength, while the lacquer or laminate provides the colour and shine.
This top layer is tougher than it looks. It resists moisture well and does not stain easily. The weakness of any gloss surface is that it shows everything: fine scratches, fingerprints, dust and smears are far more visible than on a matt or textured finish. Good care is less about preventing damage to the structure and more about keeping that reflective surface clear.
The same principles apply to other gloss pieces in a workspace, such as cabinets and drawer units, so the routine below works across most of our modern home office furniture UK with a gloss finish.
You do not need specialist products. A small kit kept near the desk will cover almost everything:
Avoid paper towels and kitchen sponges. Paper towels can leave lint and fine scratches, and the rough side of a sponge will mark the finish quickly. Wash microfibre cloths without fabric conditioner, as conditioner leaves a residue that causes streaks.
At the end of the working day, clear the surface and give it a quick dry dust with a microfibre cloth. Dust on gloss is not only visible, it can also act like a fine abrasive when you slide a keyboard or notebook across it. A quick wipe takes less than a minute and stops grit building up.
Dampen a microfibre cloth in warm soapy water and wring it out until it is barely damp. Wipe the surface in straight lines rather than circles, which tends to leave fewer streaks. Follow straight away with a dry cloth to buff the surface. Do not leave water sitting on the desk, particularly near edges and joints.
Take everything off the desk, including the monitor, and clean the whole surface, the edges and the legs. Check the underside of accessories for grit or rough feet, and replace worn felt pads. This is also a good time to check that the desk is level and that fixings are secure.
Fingerprints are the most common complaint with gloss. They are mostly natural oils, which spread rather than lift if you use a dry cloth alone. A cloth dampened with warm water and a tiny amount of washing up liquid will lift them, and a dry buff afterwards removes any streaks.
If smears keep reappearing after cleaning, the cause is often residue from a previous product or from a cloth washed with conditioner. Clean the area with plain warm water two or three times, using a fresh cloth each time, then buff dry. A small amount of white vinegar diluted in water can help cut through stubborn residue, but test it on a hidden spot first and always check the care guidance supplied with your desk.
Scratches on gloss are usually caused by small, hard objects dragged across the surface. The most common culprits on a computer desk are the base of a monitor stand, the feet of a desk lamp, keys, belt buckles, metal pen pots and the rubber feet of keyboards once they pick up grit.
A good quality desk mat under the keyboard and mouse protects the area that sees the most movement. Felt pads stuck under lamps, speakers, monitor stands and storage trays stop them from scraping. Lift objects to move them rather than sliding them.
Our range of home and office accessories UK includes desk organisers that keep small items contained, which reduces the number of loose objects moving around on the surface.
Fine surface marks on lacquered gloss can sometimes be reduced with a specialist gloss restoring product, but deep scratches through the coating cannot be polished out at home. Prevention is far easier than repair.
Gloss finishes can be affected by heat. A hot mug, a laptop charger or the warm underside of a laptop left in one place for hours can leave a dull patch or, on some finishes, a faint ring. Use a coaster for every drink and a laptop stand that lifts the machine off the surface and lets air circulate.
Strong, direct sunlight over many months can cause some coloured gloss finishes to fade or yellow slightly, particularly whites and pale greys. If the desk sits in a sunny window, a blind or a sheer curtain during the brightest hours will help. Try not to place the desk directly against a radiator, as constant heat can affect both the finish and the board beneath.
Spills should be wiped up quickly. Gloss itself resists water, but liquid that reaches an edge or a joint can soak into the board and cause swelling over time.
Desk chairs are an overlooked cause of damage. The arms of an office chair can knock the front edge of the desk every time it is pushed in, leaving chips or scuffs. Check that the arms of your chair clear the underside of the desk, or choose a chair with adjustable or lower arms.
If your desk has drawers, avoid overfilling them. Heavy drawers put strain on runners and can cause the fronts to rub against the frame, wearing the gloss at the edges. Separate storage such as modern office pedestal drawers UK can take the weight of files and supplies so the desk drawers only need to hold small items.
Several common household products can harm a gloss finish over time:
If in doubt, plain warm water and a soft cloth are always the safest choice.
Gloss asks for a little more regular attention than a matt or wood grain surface, but it is not delicate. Wipe clean surfaces such as gloss are often easier to keep hygienic than open grained wood, and they resist spills well. If you are weighing up finishes for a desk, our report on how 12 wooden desk finishes performed in UK surface tests offers a useful comparison of how different surfaces cope with daily use.
Most of the life of a gloss desk is decided by small routines rather than occasional deep cleans. Clear the desk at the end of each day, keep drinks on coasters, lift rather than slide, and keep a dedicated cloth nearby. A desk treated this way can look nearly new for many years.
At Furniture in Fashion we stock gloss desks alongside matching storage and accessories for the home office, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
A soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a small amount of mild washing up liquid, followed by a dry buff with a second clean cloth. This removes dust, fingerprints and most marks without leaving streaks.
It is best avoided. Many polishes contain silicone or wax, which build up on gloss and cause a cloudy, smeared appearance over time.
Very fine surface marks on lacquered gloss can sometimes be softened with a specialist gloss restorer, used gently and tested on a hidden area first. Deeper scratches through the coating usually need professional attention.
Prolonged direct sunlight can cause some pale gloss finishes to change colour slightly over time. Shielding the desk from strong sun with a blind or curtain helps to keep the colour consistent.
A desk mat is strongly recommended. It protects the area under the keyboard and mouse, which sees the most movement and is the most likely place for scratches to appear.
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