Caring for Your Khmer Wood Design Piece
Caring for Your Khmer Wood Design Piece The Complete Maintenance Guide For Exotic wood
GENERAL INFORMATION
Caring for Your Khmer Wood Design Piece: A Complete Maintenance Guide
A well-made piece of furniture is not fragile. It is designed to be used, lived with, and enjoyed. But like anything made from natural materials, it responds to its environment. Cambodia's climate is hard on wood — year-round humidity that hovers between 70 and 80 percent, followed by months of intense sun, then months of rain. Left unattended, even the finest hardwood will move, dry, crack, or grow mould. Treated properly, it will outlast the building it stands in.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the monthly and annual routines, the substances to avoid, what to do when accidents happen, and where to source the right products in Cambodia. It applies to all the woods we work with — rubberwood, acacia, teak, mango wood, eucalyptus, and any reclaimed timber we have used in your piece. Unless we have specifically told you otherwise, your piece is designed for indoor use.
The Monthly Routine For Perfect Care
Once a month, dust your piece thoroughly with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth — cotton or microfibre works best. Do not use a feather duster, which simply moves dust around. Pay attention to the joints, the undersides of tables, and the areas where dust settles unnoticed.
If the surface needs more than dusting, use a barely damp cloth with a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. Wring the cloth out until it is almost dry. The surface should feel cool, not wet. Wipe in the direction of the grain, then dry immediately with a clean cloth. Never let water sit on the surface, and never soak the wood. For pieces in high-use areas — a dining table, a bar counter — this damp wipe can be done more frequently. For pieces in low-traffic areas, dusting alone is often enough.
Check the humidity in the room if you can. A simple hygrometer is inexpensive and will tell you whether your indoor environment is within the 40 to 60 percent relative humidity range that wood prefers. In Phnom Penh, the outdoor humidity can reach 80 percent, but a well-maintained home or venue with air conditioning will hold 50 to 60 percent indoors. If you notice your piece developing small cracks or gaps at the joints during the dry season, the air is too dry. If it feels swollen or doors and drawers stick during the rainy season, the air is too humid. A dehumidifier during the wet months and a humidifier during the dry months — or simply consistent air conditioning — will keep the wood stable.
The Annual Routine To Maintain Value
Once a year, give your piece a deeper clean. Use a soft brush or cloth with mild soapy water to remove grime that has built up in the grain and along the edges. Work in small sections, and dry each section as you go. This is also the time to inspect the finish. If the surface looks dull, dry, or faded, it is time to re-oil.
For oiled finishes, apply a thin coat of tung oil, linseed oil, or a dedicated wood oil. Apply it with a clean cloth, working in the direction of the grain. Let it soak in for fifteen to twenty minutes, then wipe off any excess. One thin coat is enough. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. Let the piece dry completely before using it. In Cambodia's humidity, drying may take longer than the label suggests — allow twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
For lacquered or sealed finishes, you do not need to re-oil. Instead, use a wood cream cleaner and polish designed for sealed surfaces. Weiman Wood Furniture Cream Cleaner, available through HomeFix Cambodia, is formulated with natural oils and is free from silicone and wax, which means it cleans without building up residue that would compromise future refinishing. Apply a small amount to a cloth, work it into the surface, and buff with a clean cloth.
Substances to Avoid On Expensive Wood
Never use the following on any of our pieces. Ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, abrasive powders, scouring pads, or steel wool will damage the finish and the wood beneath it. Silicone-based polishes leave a residue that builds up over time and makes future refinishing difficult. Methylated spirits, acetone, and paint thinner will strip the finish. Never place hot objects directly on the surface — always use a trivet or mat. Never drag objects across the surface, which scratches even the hardest hardwood.
Avoid extreme temperature changes. Do not place your piece next to an air conditioning vent, a heater, or a fireplace. Do not leave it in direct sunlight. UV radiation will fade the colour unevenly, and the heat will dry the wood, causing cracks and warping. If a piece must be near a window, use curtains or blinds during the brightest part of the day. Our designs are intended for indoor use unless we have specifically told you otherwise. If you want a piece for an outdoor terrace or balcony, speak to us first — we can recommend a timber and finish that will survive the weather.
When Accidents Happen
Coffee, tea, red wine, and grease will leave marks if left to sit. The key is speed. Blot the spill immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub, which pushes the liquid into the grain. If a stain has already set, use a dedicated wood stain remover. WOCA Wood Stain Remover, available through specialist suppliers, is designed for oiled, waxed, or soaped interior surfaces. Spray it directly onto the stain, leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush. Wipe with a cloth wrung out in lukewarm water, and allow the surface to dry fully. Re-oil the affected area once dry.
For water rings or white marks from glasses, a gentle rub with a cloth and a small amount of wood cream cleaner will usually lift them. For deeper scratches, a wax filler stick in a matching colour can be pressed into the scratch and buffed smooth. For damage that goes through the finish to the bare wood, contact us — we can advise on repair or arrange for a refinish.
Bars, Hotels, and Commercial Venues
Commercial furniture takes more punishment than domestic furniture. Tabletops in bars and restaurants are wiped dozens of times a day. Chairs are moved, bumped, and scraped. The surfaces are exposed to alcohol, citrus, hot plates, and constant cleaning.
For commercial clients, we recommend a more structured maintenance schedule. Wipe all wooden surfaces daily with a damp cloth and mild soap. Once a week, use a wood cream cleaner to remove grease and grime that accumulates. Once a month, inspect for scratches, water rings, and joint movement. Once a quarter, apply a thin coat of oil to high-wear surfaces.
For staff, we can provide laminated care instructions in Khmer, with photographs showing exactly what to use and what to avoid. This is particularly important in venues where cleaning is done by rotating teams. If your cleaning staff are not sure which product to use on the wood, they should use only a damp cloth with water — nothing else — until someone can confirm. Water is safe. Bleach and ammonia are not.
Cleaning Products in Cambodia
Not every product recommended for wood care is available in Cambodia. Here is what you can find and where.
Weiman Wood Furniture Cream Cleaner and Polish is available through HomeFix Cambodia. It cleans and conditions without silicone or wax, and it is suitable for all our finished surfaces.
For tung oil, linseed oil, or teak oil, the best sources are specialist hardware and paint suppliers in Phnom Penh. The Russian Market is worth checking for raw linseed oil, and larger construction material suppliers stock teak oil and wood sealants. If you cannot find a specific product, ask us — we keep a stock of the oils and finishes we use in the workshop, and we can supply small quantities to clients.
For professional cleaning services, All Cleaning Cambodia (ACC) and Master Clean Co. offer wooden floor and furniture maintenance, and can handle deep cleaning for commercial venues. For mould or termite prevention, TCM Woodbliss is available through TCM Asia, a biocide-free wood protection product that fights insects and fungi.
Tempered Glass On Infinity Tables
All our glass is tempered. It does not need oiling, sealing, or any special treatment. Clean it as you would clean any window: a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild glass cleaner or a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray the cleaner onto the cloth, not directly onto the glass, to avoid excess liquid running onto the wood frame. Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth or newspaper for a streak-free finish. Do not use abrasive sponges or scrapers. If something is stuck to the glass, a plastic scraper will remove it without scratching.
When in Doubt
If you are unsure about anything — a product, a mark, a change in the wood — contact us. We know every piece we have made, and we can tell you exactly what finish was used and what it needs. That is part of what the Khmer Wood Design Guarantee is for. We would rather answer a question than repair avoidable damage.