Product Care
Our products are made from natural hardwood and are designed to be used and enjoyed. With a little care, your Pyefinch product should continue to look its best for many years.
As wood is a natural material, variations in grain, colour and character are part of what makes every piece unique. Small changes can also occur over time as the timber responds naturally to its surroundings and develops its own character through use.
The following guidance applies to our wooden products generally. Where a product requires different or additional care, this will be stated on the individual product page.
Finished for the Way It's Used
We don't believe that one finish is right for every wooden product.
Most Pyefinch products are protected with a professional UV-cured hard wax oil, chosen to provide a durable, hard-wearing and low-maintenance finish while retaining the natural appearance and feel of the timber.
For products where heat, abrasion or the nature of their use makes a readily renewable finish more appropriate, we use Pyefinch Board Butter instead. Although this type of finish requires more regular maintenance, it can be easily refreshed at home.
The finish used for each product is selected according to how we expect that product to be used, with quality, durability, suitability and long-term care taking priority.
Everyday Care
For general cleaning, wipe your wooden product with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it afterwards.
Avoid prolonged contact with water and do not leave wooden items soaking or standing in water. Unless specifically stated in the individual product description, our wooden products are not suitable for dishwashers.
Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and harsh household chemicals, as these may damage the protective finish or mark the timber.
Where products are used around food, clean them promptly after use rather than allowing food or moisture to remain on the surface for extended periods.
Heat, Moisture & Storage
Natural wood responds to changes in temperature and humidity. Excessive heat, prolonged moisture and significant changes in either can cause timber to move, warp or, in extreme circumstances, split.
Do not place wooden products directly onto very hot surfaces unless the product has specifically been designed for that purpose.
Avoid leaving wooden items close to radiators, fires or other strong heat sources, and do not store them somewhere that is persistently damp.
If your product becomes wet, wipe away excess moisture and allow it to dry naturally at room temperature.
Our UV-Cured Hard Wax Oil Finish
For products where durability and low maintenance are priorities, we use a professional De Vesting UV-cured hard wax oil.
We carefully selected this finish because it provides a durable, hard-wearing surface while retaining the natural appearance and feel of the timber. Once applied, the finish is cured using ultraviolet light in our workshop, so your product is fully finished before it leaves us.
We also considered the environmental and food-contact characteristics of the finish when making our choice. The manufacturer's technical information states a VOC content of 0 g/l, while independent laboratory testing of treated wood samples found no leaching hazardous substances.
These characteristics were particularly important to us given the range of wooden home and kitchen products we make.
Although the finish provides good protection against everyday handling and moisture, natural timber should not be regarded as waterproof. Spills should therefore be wiped away promptly and products should not be left soaking in water.
Long-Term Care of UV-Finished Products
Our UV-cured finish is designed to be hard-wearing and requires very little routine maintenance. There is no need to regularly oil or wax an intact UV-finished product — normal cleaning and care should be all that is required.
As with any protective finish applied to a wooden product, including traditional varnishes and lacquers, significant wear or damage may eventually mean that the surface needs refinishing. This is a normal part of the long-term life of a well-used wooden product and is not particular to UV-cured finishes.
With our UV-cured finish, refinishing should be regarded as occasional long-term restoration rather than routine maintenance.
If your Pyefinch product ever reaches the stage where you feel it may need refinishing, please contact us before attempting to restore it. We'll be happy to advise on the most appropriate way to prepare and refinish your particular product.
Products Finished with Board Butter
Some of our products are intentionally finished with Pyefinch Board Butter rather than our UV-cured hard wax oil.
We use Board Butter where the way a product is used makes a simple, easily renewable finish more appropriate. Unlike our UV-cured finish, periodic maintenance is an expected part of caring for these products.
How frequently Board Butter needs to be reapplied will depend on the product, how often it is used and how it is cleaned. If the timber begins to look dry or loses some of its original richness, it may be time for a refresh.
Clean the product and allow it to dry completely. If necessary, lightly sand the surface in the direction of the grain before applying a fresh coat of Board Butter.
Kitchen & Food-Contact Products
Products intended for food preparation or kitchen use should be cleaned promptly after use.
Where necessary, hand wash using warm water and a small amount of mild washing-up liquid. Do not soak the product and dry it promptly afterwards.
Allow damp wooden products to dry naturally with air able to circulate around them rather than leaving them wet against a worktop or other surface.
Strongly coloured, acidic or oily foods may gradually affect the appearance of natural timber, particularly on products receiving frequent use. Cutting and other abrasive use will also naturally produce marks over time. These are normal characteristics of a genuine wooden product rather than necessarily indicating a defect.
Always follow any additional care instructions provided for the particular product.
Engraved & Personalised Products
Laser or CNC engraving creates detail directly in the timber. The appearance and contrast of an engraving can therefore vary slightly according to the grain, colour and density of each individual piece of wood.
Avoid abrasive cleaners or aggressively scrubbing engraved areas. A soft, slightly damp cloth is normally sufficient.
The appearance of an engraving may also subtly change as the surrounding timber naturally develops its own colour and patina over time.
The Natural Character of Wood
Every piece of natural timber is unique, with its own grain, colour and individual characteristics. Wood can also subtly change in appearance as it ages and is exposed to light.
These natural variations are part of the character of real hardwood rather than imperfections and mean that your product may differ slightly from examples shown in our photographs.
Find out more about The Natural Character of Wood →
Need Some Advice?
If you're ever unsure how to clean, maintain or refinish your Pyefinch product, please get in touch before using a treatment or cleaning product you're uncertain about.
We know how each of our products has been made and finished and will be happy to advise you on the most appropriate way to look after it.