To keep an acacia coffee table looking new for years, dust it with a soft dry cloth, wipe spills immediately with a cloth that is only slightly damp, and always use coasters and heat mats. Keep the table out of strong direct sunlight and at least a metre from radiators or log burners. If it has an oiled finish, reapply a suitable furniture oil every three to six months. If it is lacquered, a gentle wipe and dry is all it needs. Avoid silicone sprays, harsh cleaners and soaking wet cloths.<\/p>\n
That routine covers most tables, but acacia rewards a little understanding. It is a dense hardwood with pronounced grain and natural oils, which is why it is so widely used in our wooden coffee tables UK<\/a> collection. The same qualities that make it hard wearing also mean it reacts to light, heat and moisture in ways worth knowing about.<\/p>\n Acacia grows quickly and produces a tight, strong timber with striking variation in colour, often from honey tones to rich chocolate within a single plank. Its natural oils give it a degree of water resistance, but solid wood still moves as humidity changes. In the UK, that means tables dry out during months of central heating and take on moisture in damp summers.<\/p>\n That movement is normal and is why well made tables are built to allow for it. Your part is to avoid extremes. Solid wood pieces across our modern living room furniture UK<\/a> range benefit from the same steady conditions: a room that does not swing sharply between hot and cold, and a table that is not pressed against a heat source.<\/p>\n Before choosing any product, check how your table is finished. Care differs considerably between the two main types.<\/p>\n If you are unsure, place a single drop of water somewhere discreet, such as the underside of the top. If it soaks in within a few minutes, the finish is oiled. If it sits as a bead, the finish is sealed. Always check the care instructions that came with the table as well.<\/p>\n Dust builds up quickly on wooden surfaces, and fine grit can leave tiny scratches when you slide objects across the top. Once a week, run a soft, dry microfibre cloth along the direction of the grain. For fingerprints or sticky marks, dampen a second cloth with warm water, wring it out until it is almost dry, then wipe and follow straight away with a dry cloth.<\/p>\n For more stubborn marks, add a single drop of mild washing up liquid to a bowl of warm water. Use the same barely damp approach, then dry the surface thoroughly. Never leave water sitting on the wood.<\/p>\n Most damage to acacia tables comes from liquid left too long. Blot spills rather than wiping them across the surface, which can spread the liquid into the grain. Coffee, red wine and fruit juice can mark an oiled finish if left, so deal with them promptly.<\/p>\n If a pale water ring does appear on an oiled table, it is often in the finish rather than deep in the wood. Leave it to dry fully for a day, then gently buff it with a little furniture oil on a soft cloth. If it remains, a very fine abrasive pad used lightly along the grain, followed by fresh oil, usually lifts it. On lacquered tables, do not abrade the surface. Contact the retailer or a furniture restorer instead, since sanding would cut through the protective layer.<\/p>\n An oiled table needs occasional feeding to keep its colour deep and its surface protected. The timing depends on use, but every three to six months is a reasonable rhythm in most homes. Signs it is due include a dry, pale look and water that soaks in quickly rather than sitting briefly on top.<\/p>\n Dispose of oily cloths carefully by laying them flat outside to dry or soaking them in water before binning, as some oils can generate heat as they cure.<\/p>\n Like most timbers, acacia changes colour in strong light. Depending on the tone of the wood and the finish, it may darken or mellow over time. This is part of its character, but uneven exposure can leave a lighter patch where a vase or a stack of books has sat for months.<\/p>\n Rotate objects on the tabletop every few weeks and, if the table sits near a south facing window, consider sheer curtains or blinds during the brightest part of the day. Turning the table occasionally helps it age evenly.<\/p>\n Dry heat is the most common cause of cracks and small splits in solid wood furniture. Keep your table at least a metre from radiators, log burners and underfloor heating outlets where possible. Always use heat mats under teapots, casserole dishes and candles.<\/p>\n During winter, when heating runs for long periods, a bowl of water near a radiator or a small humidifier can help keep the air from becoming too dry. You do not need to monitor humidity closely, but if you notice gaps opening between boards, it is a sign the air is too dry.<\/p>\n Light surface scratches on an oiled finish often disappear with a fresh coat of oil. Deeper scratches can be disguised with a wax filler stick in a matching shade, pressed in and buffed level. For lacquered finishes, touch up pens designed for furniture are a reasonable fix for small marks.<\/p>\n Felt pads under ornaments, lamps and trays prevent most scratches in the first place. Check them occasionally, since grit can become embedded in old pads.<\/p>\n Solid acacia is heavy, and dragging a table across the floor puts strain on the leg joints as well as marking floorboards. Always lift it with two people, holding it by the frame rather than the top. If you have hard floors, felt pads under the feet make small adjustments easier and protect the boards.<\/p>\n Check that the table sits level once it is in place. An uneven floor can make a table rock, and over months that movement loosens joints. Adjustable feet, or a discreet shim under one leg, will solve it. Finally, if you move home, wrap the top in a blanket rather than plastic, since plastic can trap moisture against the wood during a long journey.<\/p>\n If your coffee table is part of a set, the same routine applies to every piece. Side tables, which often hold lamps and drinks, benefit from coasters in the same way. Our wooden side tables UK sale<\/a> range includes acacia designs that pair with coffee tables in the same finish. Sideboards need less attention on top but are worth dusting inside as well, especially near the back where air circulates less. You can see matching pieces in our modern wooden sideboards UK<\/a> collection.<\/p>\n Many of the principles here apply to other hardwoods too. If you also own walnut furniture, our guide on caring for walnut TV units in UK homes<\/a> covers the differences in more detail.<\/p>\nWhy Acacia Needs a Slightly Different Approach<\/h3>\n
Find Out Which Finish You Have<\/h3>\n
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A Simple Weekly Routine<\/h3>\n
Handling Spills and Water Rings<\/h3>\n
Oiling an Acacia Table<\/h3>\n
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Protecting Acacia From Sunlight<\/h3>\n
Heat, Radiators and Central Heating<\/h3>\n
Scratches and Dents<\/h3>\n
Moving and Positioning the Table<\/h3>\n
What to Avoid<\/h3>\n
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Caring for a Matching Acacia Collection<\/h3>\n
Small Habits, Lasting Results<\/h3>\n