<p>After too many years, we’ve finally tossed our old formica table and replaced it with a large maple one. Granted, we have no small kids at home anymore, but I know that a spill is going to happen sooner than later. Actually, I’m not quite sure how to clean the table on a daily basis.<br>
I use Pledge on my cherry dining room table but we rarely eat on it and use a tablecloth when we do. I don’t want the new table to become too glossy…</p>
<p>Does it have one of those protected surfaces? My old kitchen table had an almost plastic like surface over it and we used a damp cloth to clean it.</p>
<p>We moved, downsized and now actually use the formerly rarely used dining room table every day and I do pledge it most weekends, but use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth when needed in between.</p>
<p>Shiny finish or more of a dull farmstyle finish that might call for Murphy’s oil soap?</p>
<p>Don’t know what kind of finish your kitchen table has, but I have one that’s just been oiled and waxed. Here’s what the furniture maker recommends for long term maintenance.</p>
<p>[Thos</a>. Moser : Maintenance](<a href=“http://www.thomasmoser.com/page.php?page_id=75&title=Maintenance]Thos”>http://www.thomasmoser.com/page.php?page_id=75&title=Maintenance)</p>
<p>On a daily basis, I use place mats and coasters to protect the table. After we’re done eating, I clean off the crumbs and sometimes I’ll take a slightly damp cloth and clean up any grease spots. So far, that’s worked quite well.</p>
<p>[Furniture</a> Care 101 and more decorating ideas, organizing tips, and homekeeping and cleaning solutions on marthastewart.com](<a href=“http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=8945c137bf22f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=header_2&autonomy_kw=cleaning+wood+tables]Furniture”>http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=8945c137bf22f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=header_2&autonomy_kw=cleaning+wood+tables)</p>
<p>She’s my favorite felon.</p>
<p>We used tung oil (the most famous and easy to buy one is Homer Formby’s). YOu just rub it on… Add layers every 12 or so hours until you have 4 or 5 or 6 layers. You are good for about 5 years of scrubbing. Repeat as needed.</p>
<p>We had the hardest time finding a large kitchen table that we liked, especially at an affordable price. We finally found it. After just a few days in our kitchen we noticed that the wood scratches practically by just looking at it. I am not kidding, but we ate on paper plates when we first got it and the paper plates put little scratches onto our table top! It was a no brainer to realize that we could not live this way. My DH refinshed the entire table to make it functional. I was not happy with that idea, but we had no other choice. I asked a contractor (was at our house) what I could do and his suggestion was to put a glass table top on, which I already knew that I would dislike more. I have grown used to the practical fisnish that my husband put on the kitchen table. Now, I can freely wipe it down with soap and water, or other cleaners. The table does not have the beautiful finish that it had in the store, but it does not scratch either. It also handles spills without problems. I am very happy with the table’s design and price, so my husband’s hand at refinishing was really the best practical solution.</p>
<p>I just let the cats slide around on it.</p>
<p>^^great suggestion. Cat fur has excellent wood polishing properties.</p>
<p>Speaking of tables… Does anyone have a granite top table? Do you like it? I’m looking for a new kitchen nook table because DH gave our table away, and I’m leaning towards something with a stone top. Any tips on brands and makers are welcome as well. Thanks!</p>
<p>never… never… never… use a green scrubbie thing… idiot old friend of ours did and my mom had to completely strip the table and refinish it.</p>
<p>I just yell “Julietta, clean the table.” Works every time.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>We had a table with a granite <em>base</em>. It had this really cool diagonal offset, and there was a 8ft-by-8ft plate of 1/2" thick glass on top of it. You could sit twelve people around it with elbow room to spare.</p>
<p>About ten years into its lifespan, my brother set his backpack full of school books on the table. The diagonal offset gave way. The entire thing crashed to the floor. Broken glass… EVERYWHERE… The table carnage was really quite spectacular, and my brother was incredibly lucky that he walked away unscathed.</p>
<p>Presumably Cantoni has figured out how to build a better table by now, and they were very good about calling some professional cleaners to come and de-glass our home. They replaced the table, as well.</p>
<p>So, Cantoni!
Pros: good customer service, and you might find a really nice stone table.
Cons: potential for mortal peril.</p>
<p>BB: I’ve had a granite topped table since 1996, when the kids destroyed the last wooden table. (Nothing like spilling crazy glue all over a table.) It still looks brand new.</p>
<p>Just noticed the “makers” part. We had the top made by a Seattle stone cutter (can’t remember the name but he was out in Woodinville somewhere), and my husband designed the base. To support a 4x8 piece of granite, he used 3/4" plywood supported by 6 legs (the corners and two in the middle in a straight line down the center) that he had made by Tap Plastic in Bellevue. </p>
<p>Send me a PM if you want me to email you a few photos.</p>
<p>Good for wood spray is good for all types of wood. Never gets too shiny or feels greasy. We put a glass top on anyway - our cats were/are not declawed, which will put scratches on wood if they jump on top. I used table cloths before the glass, but that hides the wood.</p>
<p>We covered it with a custom made piece of glass and just use windex.</p>
<p>I have a maple table that has been refinished a few times. The most important thing we do to protect the top is use place mats for family meals. I bought a high quality set of felt-backed leathery embossed place mats that can be wiped clean. I make sure everyone puts one down before setting down a plate. I keep them stacked in a drawer nearby. They make all the difference.</p>
<p>I just use a mild soap cleaner for every day, and Murphy"s Oil Soap once a week. I reserve the Pledge for the dining room table.</p>
<p>Our old oak table is showing its wear being over 20 years old. I’ve had it polyurethaned twice and it’s up for another sanding and protective cover.</p>
<p>dmd - thank you! I suggested making a custom table to DH, but he was not convinced that would be a good route to go. So I spent many hours this weekend visiting furniture stores, and I found what I’ve been loooking for - a US-made granite top dining table! This company proudly makes quality solid wood and granite tables in MA:</p>
<p>[The</a> Saloom Story: American Design & Craftsmanship](<a href=“http://www.saloom.com/the-saloom-story-american-design-craftsmanship]The”>http://www.saloom.com/the-saloom-story-american-design-craftsmanship)</p>
<p>I was so happy that I found what I wanted, and it was not a piece of Chinese cr@p!</p>
<p>I have a good friend who had extra granite and her husband made a GORGEOUS table for their kitchen. She just sprays it down with Method Daily Granite Cleaner (thank you JShain for this fabulous suggestion).</p>
<p>I have a very old round oak table…it was one of the first things I bought out of college (at a used furniture store…guess I should add that to the thrift store thread). The first thing I did was put a coat of polyurethane on the top. I lightly sanded it because it had some nice distress marks (it was about 50 years old when I bought it). It is the table in our kitchen and looks exactly the same as when we bought it 40 years ago despite going through the growing up of two little kids. I DO use cloth place mats on it…but more because I like how it looks than to protect the table.</p>
<p>I use Murphy’s Oil Soap.</p>
<p>This thread is from 2009 - revived to advertise a business… :rolleyes:</p>