AFTER CARE

Care & Maintenance Guide for Hardman Design Solid Wood Furniture

Your Hardman Design furniture is crafted from premium solid wood and finished with Osmo Polyx-Oil, a natural hard wax oil that enhances the wood's beauty while providing protection. Unlike polyurethane-based lacquer finishes, Osmo Polyx-Oil creates a breathable, natural finish that can be easily maintained and repaired at home. Below are our recommendations for keeping your furniture in top condition.

Understanding Your Furniture’s Finish

• Solid Wood – Naturally durable, repairable, and develops character over time.
• Naturally Oiled – Treated with two coats of Osmo Polyx-Oil, which protects the wood while maintaining its natural feel.
• Water-Repellent & Heat-Resistant – With proper maintenance, the finish can withstand everyday spills and temperature changes. However, it does not provide the same level of protection as a hard lacquered surface.
  
  

Daily Care & Usage Tips

To preserve the beauty of your furniture, follow these simple care practices:

• Use coasters and placemats to prevent water rings and heat marks.
• Avoid dragging dishes, glasses, or sharp objects across the surface to minimize scratches.
• Use a soft pad when writing to prevent imprints on the surface, as writing directly on a single sheet of paper with a ballpoint pen may leave marks on the finish and potentially the wood.
• Wipe spills immediately to prevent moisture absorption.
• Refresh the surface semi-annually to maintain optimal protection.

Note: Due to the natural finish, it is possible to scratch, dent, or pierce the surface. However, unlike lacquered furniture, these imperfections can be easily repaired at home.

Cleaning Your Furniture

For regular cleaning, simply wipe the surface with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or excessive water. For deeper cleaning and to maintain the finish, use Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner (3029):

1.   Shake well before use. Do not dilute.
2.   Ensure the surface is clean and dry.
3.   Apply a small amount (approximately two teaspoons per square meter) on a cloth or white Scotchbrite pad and rub the area gently along the grain.
4.   Wipe off dirt residues with a clean, dry cloth.
5.  Allow to dry for 30–40 minutes. Ensure good ventilation during drying.

Note: Using a green Scotchbrite pad or applying circular motions may scratch the wood. Always use a white pad and follow the wood grain. Source

Refinishing & Restoring Your Furniture

Over time, your furniture may develop signs of wear. Unlike lacquered surfaces, the oiled finish can be easily renewed with Osmo Polyx-Oil:

Preparation:

• For matte finishes, lightly sand the affected area with P1500 grit sandpaper.
• For satin finishes, use P2000 grit sandpaper.
• For high-gloss finishes, P3000 grit sandpaper is recommended.
• Always sand along the wood grain to avoid scratches.

Application:

1. Stir the Osmo Polyx-Oil well before use.
2. Apply a thin coat using a lint-free cloth, brush, or roller, working along the wood grain.
3. Allow drying for 8–10 hours in a well-ventilated area.
4. Apply a second thin coat following the same method.

Note: For the best, softest, and smoothest finish, after the second coat has fully dried, lightly sand the surface with the appropriate grit sandpaper (as mentioned above) along the wood grain, and then buff in 1–2 coats with a cloth or white pad.

Important: To prevent warping, ensure all surfaces receive the same level of finish. For example, if a tabletop has two new layers of finish, the underside must receive the same treatment.

Repairing Scratches & Surface Marks

If your furniture develops scratches, follow these steps for repair:

• For light scratches:
• Use Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner (3029) to buff out minor marks.
• Apply a small amount on a cloth and rub the scratched area gently.
• Wipe off any excess and allow it to dry.
• For deeper scratches:
• Lightly sand the area with appropriate grit sandpaper (as mentioned above) along the wood grain.
• Clean the sanded area to remove dust.
• Reapply Osmo Polyx-Oil following the application steps outlined above.
• For significant scratches or dents:
• Consider using a soft wax repair kit suitable for the wood type (e.g., oak or walnut). Ensure the wax shade matches the surrounding wood or epoxy color; purchasing a variety of shades allows for the best match.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.
• After the repair, reapply Osmo Polyx-Oil to blend the repaired area with the rest of the surface.

Note: Unlike lacquered furniture, oiled finishes allow for spot repairs without the need to refinish the entire surface.

Health Benefits of Natural Finishes

Using natural finishes like Osmo Polyx-Oil offers several health advantages over synthetic, plastic-based finishes:

• Safe for Indoor Air Quality: Osmo finishes are based on natural vegetable oils and waxes, releasing minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to healthier indoor air.
• Suitable for Sensitive Applications: The safety of Osmo finishes is evidenced by their suitability for use on children's toys, including wooden baby toys, highlighting their non-toxic nature.
• Natural Ingredients: Key ingredients include natural oils and waxes such as carnauba and candelilla waxes, which are harmless to humans and provide a protective, breathable finish.
  
  

Recommended Instructional Videos

For visual guidance on maintaining and repairing your furniture, consider the following instructional videos:

Osmo Polyx-Oil 3062 / 3032 Application:

• How To Apply OSMO PolyX Oil Wood Finish
• Osmo Polyx Oil — How to Apply. 4 application tips and tricks

Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner 3029 Application:

• Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner | Flooring

Using Wax Filler Sticks for Repairs:

• How to Repair a Hole in Wood Using Briwax Wax Repair Sticks
• How to Use Wax Filler Sticks For Filling Splits & Cracks On Wood

Fabric Upholstery (Linen)

•. Vacuum regularly using a soft brush attachment
• Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth
• For deeper cleaning, use a mild soap solution and avoid over-wetting
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight to help reduce fading

Linen is a natural material and may show subtle variation and softening over time.

⸻

Leather Upholstery

• Wipe regularly with a soft, dry cloth
• Avoid placing furniture close to direct heat sources
• Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap when needed
• Condition periodically to maintain softness and prevent drying

Leather will naturally develop a patina with use.

Hardman outdoor furniture is designed for terraces, gardens, and open-air spaces. Built from solid hardwood and natural finishes, each piece is made to perform outdoors while maintaining the same level of craftsmanship as our indoor collections.

As with all natural materials, exposure to the elements will influence how the furniture ages over time.

⸻

Wood & Placement

Different wood types are suited to different outdoor conditions:

• Iroko is the most durable option and is best suited to fully exposed, all-season outdoor use
• Oak and Smoked Ash are better suited to covered terraces or drier climates
  
  For more exposed conditions, we recommend using protective covers and minimizing prolonged exposure to moisture.
  
  ⸻
  
  Finish & Weathering
  
  All Hardman outdoor pieces are treated with Rubio DuroGrit, a plant-based exterior wood finish designed to protect against weathering, UV exposure, and daily outdoor use.
  
  DuroGrit penetrates the surface of the wood, creating a water- and dirt-repellent layer while maintaining an open-pore structure. This allows the wood to breathe and respond naturally to its environment.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to standing water
• Allow surfaces to dry between periods of rain
• Clean with low-pressure water and a soft brush as needed
• Inspect the finish periodically, particularly after winter
• Reapply the finish when the surface begins to fade or lose protection

Over time, exposure to sunlight and weather will soften the tone of the wood and create a more matte, natural appearance.

⸻

Cushions and outdoor fabric

Outdoor cushions are made with quick-drying foam and PU-coated outdoor polyester. The fabric is water-resistant, UV-protected, and designed for regular outdoor use.

• Designed to shed water and dry quickly after light rain
• For heavier or prolonged rain, we recommend storing cushions indoors
• Clean using a soft brush and mild soap solution
• Allow cushions to fully dry before covering
• Avoid harsh detergents or abrasive cleaning tools, as these may affect the protective coating

⸻

Covers

We recommend using waterproof covers when furniture is not in use, particularly in wetter climates or during extended periods of rain.

Our covers are made from durable all-weather polyester, designed to protect against rain, sun exposure, and everyday outdoor conditions while remaining breathable.

⸻

Seasonal Care

To support long-term performance:

• Clean and dry furniture before covering for extended periods
• Store cushions indoors during off-season months
• Refresh the wood finish periodically to maintain protection