How To Care for Leather, Wood, Glass, and Ceramic Furniture

You spent weeks choosing the perfect sofa, the dining table that fits your day to day life, and the leather recliner that finally made your living room feel finished. Now the question everyone asks: how do you care for a leather sofa, an oiled oak dining table, a ceramic top, or a glass surface so it still looks this good in five years?

If you have ever searched that question at midnight after a glass of red wine hit the cushion, you know the internet is full of contradictory advice. One blog says use olive oil. Another says olive oil will ruin everything. A third recommends baby wipes. None of them know what kind of leather you own, let alone which products were made for it.

This guide is different. Every recommendation comes directly from the manufacturers whose furniture we sell at Trade Source including: Conform for leather, Ethnicraft for solid wood, and Calligaris for ceramic and glass. These are the people who designed and built your furniture, and their care advice is the only advice that matters.

Leather Care

Keeping Your Sofa, Recliner, or Chair Looking Its Best

Leather is one of the most rewarding materials to live with. It softens over time, develops character with age, and feels better the longer you own it. But it is also an organic material that needs regular attention to stay supple, clean, and protected.

The most important thing to understand about leather care is this: not all leather is the same. Full-grain, top-grain, aniline-dyed, and pigmented leather each respond differently to cleaners and conditioners. Using the wrong product can cause staining, drying, or permanent discoloration. This is why brand-specific care recommendations matter more than generic advice.

What Conform Recommends for Leather Recliners

Conform is the Swedish maker behind some of the most comfortable recliners in our collection, including the Conform Timeout Reclining Chair and Footstool (from $2,946). The Timeout is available in six leather groups (Group 20 through Group 60), performance fabrics, and even sheepskin, with shell options in Walnut, Untreated Oak, Lacquered Oak, and Black. It is one of our best-selling recliners, and caring for it properly ensures it lasts a lifetime.

Conform specifically recommends Uniters products for leather care. Uniters is a global manufacturer of furniture care solutions, and their Leather Master line is used by premium furniture brands worldwide. Their range covers every step of the leather care process: cleaning, protection, rejuvenation, and specialty treatments for specific stain types. They also offer complete care kits that bundle the essentials, which is the easiest way to get started.

The Leather Care Routine

Weekly (or as needed): Wipe down your leather with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and surface debris. This prevents grit from working into the grain and causing premature wear. Pay attention to creases and seams where dust accumulates.

Monthly: Use a dedicated leather cleaner (not soap, not all-purpose spray, not baby wipes) to clean the surface. Apply the cleaner to a soft cloth first, not directly to the leather, and work in gentle circular motions. Let the surface air dry completely.

Every 3 to 6 months: Apply a leather protector or conditioner. This replenishes the oils that keep leather soft and prevents cracking. Uniters offers protectors formulated for different leather types, so you are not guessing about compatibility.

As needed: For spills, blot immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth. Do not rub, as that pushes the liquid deeper into the grain. For stubborn stains, Uniters makes targeted removers for specific stain types (ink, grease, wine, food), which is far more effective than a single all-purpose product.

What to Avoid on Leather

Never use household cleaners, bleach, ammonia, or alcohol-based products on leather. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV fades the color and dries out the material. Keep leather at least two feet from heat sources like radiators and fireplaces. And skip the "home remedies" found online: olive oil, coconut oil, and vinegar can all cause long-term damage, even if they seem to work initially.

Solid Wood Care

Protecting the Natural Beauty of Oiled Oak, Teak, and Walnut

Solid wood furniture connects you to something real. The grain pattern in your dining table is unique to the tree it came from, and the character only deepens over time. But wood is a living material that expands and contracts with humidity, reacts to heat and sunlight, and can stain if spills are not addressed quickly. The good news: caring for solid wood is simple once you understand the basics.

Ethnicraft's Guide to Oiled Oak Care

Ethnicraft is the Belgian maker behind some of the most beautiful solid wood furniture in our collection, including the Ethnicraft Bok Extendable Dining Table (from $4,229). Every Ethnicraft piece is built from solid oak, teak, or walnut, and their care recommendations come from decades of working with these specific timbers. You can find the full guide on the Ethnicraft care and maintenance page, but here are the essentials.

Preventive treatment: Before you start using a new oiled wood table, Ethnicraft recommends treating it with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner ($49). This initial treatment adds an extra layer of protection against water rings, stains, and everyday wear. Apply a thin coat with a cloth, let it dry, and lightly buff. This step takes 20 minutes and dramatically extends the life of the finish.

Regular care (weekly): Dust with a dry or slightly damp cloth. For light cleaning, use a natural soap diluted in water, wipe with the grain, and dry immediately with a clean cloth. Avoid soaking the wood or leaving water sitting on the surface.

Thorough care (once or twice a year): When the surface starts to look dry, dull, or uneven, refresh the oil finish with Osmo Hardwax Oil ($129). Lightly sand any rough spots with fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit or higher), clean off the dust, and apply a thin coat of hardwax oil with a cloth or brush. Let it dry for at least eight hours. This treatment restores depth, richness, and protection to the wood.

Ethnicraft's Essential Tips for Solid Wood Furniture

Ethnicraft publishes a set of guidelines that apply to all of their solid wood pieces, and these are worth following for any solid wood furniture regardless of brand.

Humidity: Maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%. Wood expands when humidity is high and contracts when it is low, which can cause warping or cracking. A simple hygrometer (under $15 at any hardware store) lets you monitor this.

Sunlight: Avoid placing solid wood furniture in direct sunlight. UV exposure bleaches the wood and dries out the oil finish. Use curtains or blinds during peak sun hours, or rotate decorative items so the surface ages evenly.

Placemats and coasters: Always use them. Hot dishes, cold glasses, and wet bottles can all leave marks on oiled wood. This one habit prevents the majority of dining table damage.

Spills: Wipe them up immediately. Water left sitting on oiled oak will leave a white ring. If a faint mark remains after drying, re-oil the spot following the thorough care method above.

Lifting, not dragging: Never drag objects across a solid wood surface. Felt pads on the bottom of lamps, vases, and decorative objects provide an extra layer of scratch protection.

Natural products only: Avoid chemical cleaners, silicone-based sprays, and wax polishes. These build up on the surface, interfere with the oil finish, and create a sticky residue that attracts dust.

Let it breathe: Do not cover your table with a permanent tablecloth. Wood needs air circulation to regulate moisture content.

Scratches and dents: Minor scratches in oiled wood can often be repaired by sanding gently and re-oiling. For deeper dents, place a damp cloth over the area and press with a warm iron to swell the wood fibers back into shape.

Watch for ink transfer: Newspapers, colored paper, and magazines can transfer ink to an oiled surface, especially if damp. Metal objects left on wet wood can leave rust marks.

Embrace the patina: Solid wood develops character over time. The grain darkens, the surface softens, and the table becomes uniquely yours. That aging process is a feature, not a flaw.

Ceramic Care

The Low-Maintenance Surface That Still Deserves Attention

Ceramic is arguably the most durable tabletop material available in modern furniture. It resists scratches, heat, stains, and UV exposure. You can set a hot pan directly on a ceramic dining table without a trivet. You can spill red wine on it and wipe it away without a trace.

So why include ceramic in a care guide? Because "nearly indestructible" is not the same as "needs no attention," and knowing what your ceramic top can handle gives you the freedom to use it without anxiety.

Calligaris Ceramic Dining Tables

Calligaris is the Italian maker with over 100 years of design history, and their ceramic-topped dining tables are among the most popular in our collection. The ceramic options are extensive: White Marble, Salt White, Bronze, Calacatta Black Marble, Lead Grey, Oxide Black, White Travertine, Golden Onyx, and Dolomite, among others. Each finish replicates the look of natural stone with the durability of engineered ceramic.

Models like the Calligaris Delta (from $5,064), the Calligaris Omnia (from $5,263), and the Calligaris Cameo (from $8,364) all feature ceramic tops in multiple finishes. If you read our previous post comparing dining table materials, you already know that ceramic offers the best combination of beauty and practicality for families, entertainers, and anyone who wants to use their dining table without worry.

Daily and Weekly Ceramic Marble Care

Daily: Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth or sponge. For everyday dust and crumbs, this is all you need. Ceramic does not absorb liquids, so spills stay on the surface until you wipe them away.

Weekly: For a more thorough clean, use a mild dish soap diluted in warm water. Apply with a soft cloth, wipe the entire surface, and dry with a clean cloth. Avoid abrasive sponges or scouring pads. While ceramic resists scratches from normal use, abrasive scrubbing can dull the matte finishes over time.

As needed: For stubborn marks or dried-on food, a non-abrasive household cleaner works well. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute, and wipe clean. Avoid bleach or highly acidic cleaners, as these can affect certain ceramic finishes, particularly lighter colors.

What Ceramic Handles (and What to Watch For)

Ceramic handles heat up to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so hot pots and pans are not a concern. The surface is also highly resistant to scratching from knives, keys, and everyday objects. However, ceramic can chip from a sharp, focused impact, like dropping a heavy plate edge-first onto the surface. This is rare in normal use, but worth knowing.

The most important care note is about edges. The tabletop is extremely hard, but edges on extending tables can be more vulnerable to chipping if struck sharply. Handle leaf extensions carefully and avoid banging chairs against the table edge.

Glass Tabletop Care

Crystal Clear Doesn't Have to Mean Constant Cleaning

Glass-topped tables bring lightness and openness to a room. They reflect light, they don't visually compete with other furniture, and they make small spaces feel larger. The trade-off is that glass shows every fingerprint and speck of dust. But maintaining a glass table is straightforward with the right approach.

Calligaris Glass Dining Tables

Calligaris produces some of the most refined glass-topped dining tables on the market, including the Calligaris Tokyo Glass (from $2,878) and the Calligaris Kent Glass (from $2,420). Their glass options include Transparent, Smoke Grey, Annealed Bronze, and Annealed Smoke Grey. Tinted glass is worth considering if fingerprint visibility is a concern, because the darker tones mask smudges far better than clear glass while still maintaining the airy feel of a glass table.

The Glass Tabletop Care Routine

Daily: Wipe with a microfiber cloth. Microfiber is essential here because it picks up oils and dust without leaving lint or streaks. Paper towels and cotton cloths can leave fibers behind on glass, creating exactly the smudgy look you are trying to avoid.

Weekly: Spray a glass cleaner (or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water) onto a microfiber cloth and wipe the entire surface. Spray the cloth, not the table, to prevent dripping onto the base. Wipe in one direction rather than in circles to minimize streaking.

Monthly: Clean the underside of the table as well. Dust accumulates underneath, and since glass is transparent, you see it from above. A quick wipe underneath keeps the table looking clean from every angle.

Protecting Your Glass Table

Use placemats or felt-backed coasters under plates, glasses, and decorative objects. Grit trapped between a ceramic plate bottom and the glass surface can cause fine scratches over time. Placemats eliminate this risk entirely.

Avoid sliding heavy or rough-bottomed objects across the glass. Lift and place rather than push and drag. Calligaris glass tables use tempered glass, which is four to five times stronger than regular glass and, in the unlikely event of breakage, shatters into small, rounded pieces rather than sharp shards.

Quick-Reference Care Chart

Here is the summary version you can bookmark and come back to anytime:

Leather: Dust weekly, clean monthly with a dedicated leather cleaner (Conform recommends Uniters products), condition every 3 to 6 months. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. Blot spills immediately. Never use household cleaners.

Solid Wood (Oiled): Dust with a dry or damp cloth weekly. Use natural soap for light cleaning. Treat with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner ($49) for preventive care. Refresh with Osmo Hardwax Oil ($129) annually. Maintain 40 to 60% humidity. Always use placemats and coasters.

Ceramic: Wipe daily with a damp cloth. Use mild dish soap weekly. Handles heat and scratches with ease. Protect edges from sharp impacts. Avoid abrasive sponges on matte finishes.

Glass: Wipe daily with microfiber. Use glass cleaner or vinegar/water weekly on the cloth (not the surface). Clean underneath monthly. Use placemats to prevent scratching from grit.

Free White Glove Delivery and No Sales Tax

Every piece of furniture mentioned in this guide ships with free white glove delivery, delivered to the room of your choice, fully assembled, with all packing materials removed. Orders shipped outside California include no sales tax.

Have questions about caring for a specific piece, or need help choosing the right material for your lifestyle? Get in touch. We are here to help before, during, and long after delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you care for a leather sofa or recliner?

Care for a leather sofa by dusting it weekly with a soft, dry cloth, cleaning it monthly with a dedicated leather cleaner, and conditioning it every three to six months with a leather protector. Conform, the Swedish recliner maker, specifically recommends Uniters Leather Master products for cleaning, protection, and stain removal. Avoid household cleaners, baby wipes, and home remedies like olive oil or vinegar, as these can cause long-term damage.

How often should you condition leather furniture?

Apply a leather conditioner or protector every three to six months, depending on usage and environment. Leather in dry climates or in rooms with direct sunlight exposure may need conditioning more frequently. The goal is to keep the leather soft and supple. If the surface starts to feel dry or stiff, it is time for a conditioning treatment.

How do you care for an oiled oak dining table?

Dust weekly with a dry or slightly damp cloth. For routine cleaning, use natural soap diluted in water and wipe with the grain. For preventive protection, treat the surface with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner ($49). Once or twice a year, refresh the oil finish with Osmo Hardwax Oil ($129) after lightly sanding any rough areas. Ethnicraft, the Belgian solid wood maker, publishes detailed care instructions on their website.

Can you put hot pans on a ceramic dining table?

Yes. Ceramic tabletops, like those on Calligaris dining tables, resist heat up to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place hot pots, pans, and baking dishes directly on the surface without damage. That said, using trivets is still a good habit because it protects the objects on your table as well as the table itself.

Do ceramic dining tables scratch easily?

No. Ceramic is one of the hardest tabletop materials available. It resists scratches from knives, keys, and normal daily use. The main vulnerability is impact damage: dropping a heavy object edge-first onto the surface can cause a chip. The surface itself is highly resistant to everyday wear.

How do you clean a glass dining table without streaks?

Use a microfiber cloth, which is essential for streak-free results. Spray glass cleaner (or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water) onto the cloth, not onto the table. Wipe in one direction rather than in circles. Clean the underside of the table monthly as well, since dust underneath is visible through the glass.

What is the best humidity level for solid wood furniture?

Maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%. Solid wood expands when humidity is high and contracts when humidity is low. Extreme fluctuations can cause warping, cracking, or joint separation. A simple hygrometer (available at hardware stores for under $15) lets you monitor the humidity in your home and make adjustments with a humidifier or dehumidifier as needed.

What products does Conform recommend for leather care?

Conform recommends Uniters products, specifically their Leather Master line. Uniters is a global manufacturer of furniture care solutions, and their product range covers every step of leather care: cleaning, protection, rejuvenation, specialty stain removers, care kits, and wipes. Their products are formulated for the specific types of leather used in premium European furniture.

How do you remove a water ring from an oiled wood table?

Blot the area immediately and let it dry completely. If a faint white ring remains, lightly sand the affected area with fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit or higher), then re-oil the spot following Ethnicraft's thorough care method using Osmo Hardwax Oil. For prevention, always use coasters and placemats, and wipe up spills right away. The preventive treatment with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner also helps resist water marks.

Should I choose ceramic or glass for my dining table?

It depends on your priorities. Ceramic is the most durable and lowest-maintenance option, essentially scratch-proof and heat-proof, with finishes that replicate natural stone. Glass makes a room feel more open and is easy to clean, but shows fingerprints more readily and requires more frequent wiping. Tinted glass (like the Smoke Grey option from Calligaris) reduces visible smudges. If you have young children, ceramic is generally the safer bet. Both materials are available on extending dining tables from Calligaris, with prices starting at $2,420 for glass and $5,064 for ceramic.