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How to care for your dining furniture
Your dining furniture plays a central role in daily rituals, whether it's enjoying a quiet breakfast, entertaining friends, or celebrating life’s milestones with a meal.
At King Living, each piece is designed to last, but longevity starts with care. For general tips on maintaining, cleaning, and caring for your designs from the King Living furniture collection, you can also explore our fabric care and product care guides.
This article will advise you on our dining furniture care tips, maintaining the look and integrity of timber, marble, and ceramic dining tables, for years to come. It also includes guidance on how to look after the premium leather and fabric finishes on your dining chairs, helping you preserve their refined comfort and appearance over time.
How to care for your timber dining table
Each timber dining table in the King Living collection is crafted from solid timber or premium timber veneer, available to customise in a selection of signature finishes. Whilst both bring understated elegance to a dining room, the two natural materials require slightly different care.
Let’s explore the difference.
Solid Timber vs Timber Veneer
Solid timber dining furniture is crafted entirely from natural wood, making it more durable and easier to restore, requiring only occasional nourishment through polishing.
Timber veneer is more delicate and requires gentler handling, crafted from a thin layer of real wood over a stable base. It offers consistent grain patterns and resists warping, requiring no polishing or enhancement, just simple care to preserve its appearance.
Knowing this distinction helps in maintaining their lasting beauty and impeccable finish. Here are six care tips for both types of timber table:
1. How to clean solid timber furniture
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Regularly dust the surface of your solid timber dining table with a clean, soft microfibre cloth to maintain clarity and beauty.
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For deeper care, gently clean using a specialised timber furniture polish once monthly, testing on a discreet area first.
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Avoid cleaning products containing silicon or general household cleaners, as these may leave residue or damage the timber.
2. How to clean timber veneer furniture
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Lightly dust with a clean microfibre cloth to preserve its polished appearance.
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Immediately clean up any spills, especially corrosive substances such as perfume or nail polish remover.
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Do not use chemical-based cleaners, detergents, or silicon-based products, as they could deteriorate the veneer.
3. How to polish solid timber furniture
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Apply a premium timber-specific polish monthly to enhance and protect the timber’s natural sheen.
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Carefully follow the instructions provided and always test on a hidden section first.
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Avoid silicon-based polishes, which can leave a greasy film and compromise the finish.
4. How to polish timber veneer furniture
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Timber veneer surfaces typically require minimal polishing; instead, gentle dusting is sufficient to maintain their refined look.
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Do not apply standard furniture polishes, especially those containing silicon, as these can damage or dull the veneer’s delicate surface.
5. How to protect solid timber furniture
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Keep solid timber furniture away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent warping and fading.
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Use protective coasters or padding beneath hot, cold, or heavy objects to avoid surface marks or scratches.
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Never drag items across timber surfaces; always lift to prevent unnecessary scratching.
6. How to protect timber veneer furniture
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Position timber veneer furniture away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity, as fluctuations may lead to cracking or warping.
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Always place coasters and protective padding beneath heavy, hot, or abrasive objects to safeguard the veneer.
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Avoid writing directly on the surface and refrain from dragging items to minimise the risk of scratches or permanent marks.
For effortless restoration of everyday wear and tear, shop the King-Care® Timber Repair Kit.
How to care for your marble dining table
Marble adds sophisticated elegance to your dining space, but it requires gentle care to maintain its refined beauty.
All marble furniture at King Living is sealed and treated with a premium high-quality wax to guard against stains. This wax deeply penetrates the marble, creating a polished, protective barrier without compromising the stone’s natural beauty. Regular care with appropriate cleaning and gentle handling will preserve the luxurious finish and extend the lifespan of your marble dining table.
This 8-step guide simplifies how to clean, maintain, and protect your marble table.
1. Understanding marble: etching vs staining
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Etching occurs when acidic substances like citrus, coffee, or wine remove the polished top layer of marble, leaving dull, lighter spots.
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Staining happens when liquids penetrate marble, causing internal discolouration.
2. General care and precautions
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Always use coasters, trivets, or mats under dishes and glasses.
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Immediately wipe up spills with a clean, damp cloth.
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Avoid placing hot items directly on marble to prevent marking.
3. How to clean your marble table
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Regularly dust with a soft microfibre cloth.
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Clean with mild soap and water; avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners.
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Dry thoroughly after cleaning to prevent watermarks.
4. Removing stains
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Clear debris, gently blot spills, and avoid wiping as it spreads stains.
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Wash area with mild soap and water, then rinse well.
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Thoroughly dry with a soft cloth.
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Persistent stains may require specialised cleaners.
5. Handling etch marks
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Minor etches can often be polished out with marble polishing powder, applied using a damp cloth or buffing pad until the marble shines again.
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Deep etches may need professional refinishing.
6. Using a marble poultice for deep stains
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Prepare a paste from powdered chalk, talc, or baking soda mixed with water.
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Spread a thin, even layer of the poultice on the stain.
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Cover with plastic wrap, sealed with tape, and leave for 24-48 hours.
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Gently remove with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
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Repeat if necessary; professional help is recommended if stains persist.
7. Common stain types and solutions
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Oil-based stains like grease and cosmetics: Use gentle liquid cleanser or ammonia.
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Organic stains like coffee, tea, and fruit: Use a mild solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and ammonia; rinse thoroughly.
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Metal stains like rust: Apply marble poultice; note deep stains may be permanent.
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Ink and dyes: Hydrogen peroxide for lighter marble, acetone for darker marble.
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Paint: Scrape carefully with a razor blade; avoid paint thinners.
8. Dealing with scratches and abrasions
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Minor scratches: Buff lightly with dry 0000-grade steel wool.
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Deeper scratches and chips and or gouges in the surface of the stone should be repaired and repolished by a professional.
How to care for your ceramic dining table
Ceramic dining furniture is beautifully robust, with King Living ceramic dining surfaces engineered for durability and style. Understanding ceramic’s unique qualities ensures minimal maintenance and lasting appeal.
What makes ceramic special?
Ceramic dining tables from King Living is crafted from solid porcelain slabs, fired at exceptionally high temperatures. This makes ceramic extremely durable, resistant to UV rays, heat, frost, stains, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor dining.
General care and precautions
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Ceramic surfaces require minimal care due to their robust, non-porous nature.
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Prevent heavy impacts on unsupported edges or corners to maintain the integrity of your furniture.
Cleaning and maintenance tips
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Although ceramic surfaces resist stains, promptly clean spills to prevent build-up.
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Regularly clean with a soft cloth, mild detergent, and water to maintain its pristine look.
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Avoid abrasive cleaning tools or harsh chemicals to preserve the ceramic’s elegant finish.
How to care for the leather or fabric on your dining chair
King Living Dining Chairs are designed for comfort, style, and longevity, made to order in a choice of premium fabrics, European leathers and signature timber finishes.
For timber dining chair care, the same advice for King Living timber dining tables can be applied.
Select dining chairs in the collection have customisable covers, and this guide will tell you how to look after those fabric or leather finishes for a long-lasting luxurious look and feel.
How to care for a leather dining chair
Leather dining chairs offer sophisticated comfort and enduring durability. Consider these five steps for proper leather care and maintenance:
1. Regular cleaning: Dust weekly using a soft cloth or vacuum attachment to remove particles that could scratch or wear the surface.
2. Conditioning: Every 6 to 8 weeks, apply King-Care® Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, specifically formulated for King Living leathers, or shop our full Leather Care Kit.
3. Immediate attention: Promptly address spills or stains to prevent permanent marks.
4. Avoid harsh substances: Do not use detergents, chemicals, alcohol, soaps, wax, or silicone-based products.
5. Protecting your leather: Minimise pets' access and avoid sharp or abrasive objects like belt buckles and jewellery. Be cautious of dye transfer from clothes like denim.
How to care for a fabric dining chair
Fabric dining chairs from King Living are crafted from high-quality, rigorously tested fabrics designed for long-lasting beauty and comfort. Follow these seven simple steps for easy fabric care:
1. Regular vacuuming: Vacuum weekly with low suction and a soft brush attachment to remove dust and dirt.
2. Immediate spill management: Quickly blot spills to avoid permanent staining; do not rub vigorously or soak fabric.
3. Fabric protection: Use KingGuard+® fabric protection to defend against common spills and maintain fabric quality.
4. Cleaning products: Apply King-Care® Fabric Cleaner and Protection every 6 to 8 weeks for optimal care.
5. Managing pilling: Gently remove pilling with a fabric pill remover. Regular vacuuming helps reduce pilling.
6. Avoid heat and chemicals: Keep chairs away from heaters and do not use detergents, chemicals, alcohol, or silicone-based products.
7. Pets and fabric: Minimise pets' contact to avoid oils and dirt transferring onto the fabric.
We recommend professional cleaning for both leathers and fabrics every 12 to 18 months to preserve their integrity. King Living fabric covers are removable and can be washed or replaced to extend the life of your dining furniture with our exclusive service King-Care®.
By following these straightforward guidelines, your King Living dining chairs will continue to bring refined comfort and style to your dining space for years to come.
For more on furniture care:
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Read our guide on custom cushion inserts and removable covers, including how to select and order new ones. Find out how King-Care® can help you with recovering and refurbishment.
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For care tips on more materials, read our Product Care Advice Guide
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Discover our Guide to maintaining and cleaning your rug
