How to Care for Your Furniture: A Complete Guide to Wood, Upholstery & Rattan
Your Alpine furniture is built to last — most pieces use solid hardwoods, premium veneers, and natural materials chosen for durability. But like anything well-made, it benefits from proper care. This guide covers everything you need to keep wood, upholstered, and rattan pieces looking their best for years.
Why furniture care matters
Quality furniture is an investment. A well-cared-for piece from a collection like Flynn (mid-century modern in solid mahogany) or Newberry (rustic acacia dining tables) can easily outlast a generation. Most damage to wood furniture comes not from heavy use, but from environmental factors and improper cleaning. The good news: protecting your pieces is mostly about knowing what to avoid.
Caring for wood furniture
Alpine uses a range of hardwoods across collections — mahogany (Flynn, Madelyn, Carmel), pine (Aiden, Winchester, Fallon), acacia (Newberry, Aspen, Live Edge), rubberwood (Sinclair, Cove, Reba), and mindy wood (Lozano, June). Different woods have slightly different care needs, but the fundamentals are universal.
Daily and weekly care
Dust regularly with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Dust acts like fine sandpaper over time — even minor friction from dust particles can dull a finish.
Avoid water and harsh cleaners. Most wood finishes are damaged by liquid sitting on the surface or by chemical cleaners like ammonia, bleach, or all-purpose sprays. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth (well wrung-out) followed immediately by a dry cloth to remove moisture.
Use coasters and trivets. Heat and moisture rings are the most common preventable damage. Always protect surfaces from hot mugs, sweating glasses, and warm dishes.
Veneer-specific care
Many Alpine pieces combine solid wood frames with hardwood veneer surfaces. Veneer is real wood, sliced thin and applied over a stable substrate, which means it expands and contracts less than solid wood (less likely to crack) but it's also slightly more sensitive to over-saturation. Never let water pool on a veneer surface, and stick to dry or barely-damp cleaning.
Environmental conditions
Wood furniture lives best at 30–50% humidity and stable temperatures. Avoid placing pieces:
- In direct sunlight (UV fades and dries wood — can lighten a Flynn dresser's chestnut tone over months)
- Near radiators, heat vents, or fireplaces (wood cracks when too dry)
- In damp basements or against exterior walls in humid climates (wood swells, drawers stick)
- In rooms with extreme temperature swings (causes joints to loosen over time)
If you live in a dry climate, a small humidifier in your bedroom or living room will protect both your furniture and your skin.
Restoring shine and small scratches
Wood furniture occasionally benefits from light maintenance. Once every few months, apply a small amount of furniture wax or natural wood oil with a soft cloth, following the grain. This restores moisture lost to dry air and refreshes the finish.
For small scratches, a touch-up marker matched to your finish (chestnut, walnut, white, etc.) can disappear them in seconds:
- Clean the scratch with a slightly damp cloth and let dry
- Apply the marker in light, steady strokes along the grain
- Wipe excess with a soft cloth, let dry a few minutes
- Repeat if needed for deeper scratches
For deeper damage, professional refinishing is sometimes worth the investment — especially on heirloom pieces.
Caring for upholstered furniture
Alpine's upholstered pieces span linen (Britney, Amber, Amanda, Ava), faux leather (Live Edge pub chairs, Walden footboard), polyester (Mia, Sloane, Cove, Avery), and velvet/velour (Rebecca, Zaldy, Maison).
General upholstery care
Vacuum weekly with a soft upholstery brush attachment. This pulls dust, hair, and grit from the fabric before they work into the fibers.
Rotate cushions monthly so they wear evenly.
Treat spills immediately. Blot — never rub — with a clean, dry cloth. Rubbing spreads the stain and damages the weave. For most spills, blotting with cold water works; oil-based stains may need a small amount of mild dish soap diluted in water.
Avoid direct sunlight on upholstered pieces. Linen and velvet fade noticeably with prolonged sun exposure.
Material-specific tips
- Linen (like the Britney Bed): Brush with a soft fabric brush regularly to remove surface fuzz. Professional cleaning every 12–18 months for best results.
- Faux leather: Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry. Avoid leather conditioners — they can break down the synthetic coating.
- Polyester upholstery: The most forgiving material. Most stains lift with cold water and a clean cloth.
- Velvet and velour: Vacuum gently with a low-suction setting. Brush nap in one direction with a soft brush after vacuuming.
Caring for rattan and woven furniture
Pieces like the Cove Dining Chairs, Kaya Rattan chairs, Sonora Dining Chairs, and Ashbury Counter Stools use handwoven rattan or water hyacinth. These materials add organic warmth but need slightly different care.
- Dust with a soft brush or vacuum on low suction — rattan grooves hold dust that can't be wiped away with a cloth
- Wipe with a barely-damp cloth every few months
- Keep away from extreme heat — rattan can dry out and crack
- For shedding fibers (common on new rattan), gently snip stray fibers with scissors; never pull
Rattan responds well to humidity within the normal range, so the same 30–50% humidity that protects your wood pieces will protect your rattan.
Common repairs
Removing a stuck drawer
Most Alpine case pieces use English dovetail construction with ball-bearing metal glides. To remove a drawer:
- Empty the drawer completely
- Locate the small levers on the glides on each side of the drawer
- Press one lever up and the other down simultaneously to release
- Pull the drawer straight out
To reinstall, slide the drawer back in until you feel it click into the locked position. Make sure both glides are fully extended out before reinserting.
Stabilizing a wobbly dining chair
Most chair wobble comes from loose bolts where the seat meets the legs or where the backrest meets the seat frame. With a wrench:
- Turn the chair upside down
- Locate the connecting bolts
- Tighten each one fully
- Set the chair upright and test on a flat surface
If a leg still wobbles, place a small felt pad under the short leg as a temporary fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I dust my wood furniture?
Dust weekly with a soft microfiber cloth. Dust acts like fine abrasive over time and can dull a finish.
Can I use Pledge or Windex on my Alpine furniture?
No — avoid aerosol polishes and ammonia-based cleaners. They build up a residue that's hard to remove and can damage finishes. Stick to a dry or barely-damp cloth.
Is veneer real wood?
Yes. Veneer is a thin slice of real hardwood applied over a stable substrate (often plywood or MDF). It looks identical to solid wood and offers better dimensional stability — less cracking and warping in changing humidity.
How do I get a water ring out of my coffee table?
Place a clean cloth over the ring and gently iron on low heat for 10–15 seconds at a time, checking between passes. For most fresh water rings, this draws the moisture out. For older or deeper rings, professional refinishing may be needed.
Should I use furniture oil on my dresser?
Once or twice a year is plenty for most wood furniture. Use a furniture-specific oil or wax, apply sparingly with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain, and buff off any excess.
My rattan chair is shedding — is something wrong?
No. New rattan often sheds small fibers as it settles. Trim them with sharp scissors at the base; don't pull. Shedding stops within a few weeks of normal use.
What humidity is best for furniture?
30–50% relative humidity. Below 30%, wood dries and can crack. Above 60%, wood swells and drawers can stick. A small bedroom humidifier or dehumidifier solves most problems.
Need help with a specific piece? Browse our Bedroom, Dining Room, Living Room, and Accent Pieces collections to see how this guide applies to specific Alpine pieces.