Caring for Your Handcrafted Wooden Pyrography Item

Thank you for choosing one of our unique, handcrafted wooden pyrography items! Each piece is carefully designed and wood-burned, often finished with high-quality oils like OSMO Polyx-oil or OSMO TopOil to enhance durability and beauty. To help your item last for years to come, please follow these simple care guidelines.

Protecting Your Pyrography from Fading

The intricate pyrography (wood-burned design) on your item creates a beautiful, lasting impression. However, like many works of art, it can be susceptible to fading over time, especially with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

• Placement is Key: We highly recommend displaying your item in a location where it isn't constantly exposed to harsh, direct sun rays. This will help preserve the crispness and depth of the wood-burned details, keeping your piece looking vibrant for many years.

General Cleaning & Maintenance

Keeping your wooden item clean is simple and essential for its longevity.

• Dusting: For most decorative items, a soft, dry, lint-free cloth is all you need to remove dust and keep it looking fresh.

• For Spills (Finished Items): If your item has a protective oil finish (like a coaster, chopping board, or serving tray), minor spills can be easily wiped away. Use a slightly damp cloth, then immediately dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

• What to AVOID:

  • Never soak or submerge your wooden item in water. This can cause the wood to swell, crack, warp, and damage the finish.

  • Avoid putting wooden items in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents are extremely damaging.

  • Do not use abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, or scouring pads, as these can strip the finish and damage the wood or pyrography.

Heat & Moisture Considerations (for Functional Items)

If your pyrography item is designed for practical use, such as a coaster or a chopping board, it has been treated with a durable, protective oil finish like OSMO Polyx-oil (for coasters) or OSMO TopOil (for chopping boards).

• Heat Protection: While these finishes offer good protection, it's always best to avoid placing extremely hot items (like saucepans straight from the hob) directly onto the wood. Coffee mugs and teacups are perfectly fine.

• Moisture Management: Promptly wipe up any spills, especially liquids like wine, coffee, or highly pigmented foods, to prevent potential staining, even with the protective finish.

• Drying Chopping Boards: For chopping boards, always stand them on their edge to allow air to circulate evenly around all surfaces after washing and drying. This prevents moisture from getting trapped, which can lead to warping or mildew.

Re-oiling for Lasting Protection

Over time, with regular use and cleaning, the protective oil finish on your item may naturally wear down, especially on functional pieces like chopping boards.

• When to Re-oil: You'll notice the wood starting to look dry, dull, or less vibrant.

• How to Re-oil: For coasters and decorative items, you can re-apply a thin coat of OSMO Polyx-oil. For chopping boards, use OSMO TopOil or any food-grade mineral oil. Always follow the specific product's instructions, applying a thin, even coat, allowing it to penetrate, and then wiping off any excess after the recommended time. This simple step will rejuvenate the wood and restore its protective barrier.

The 30-Day Curing Period

If your item was recently finished with an oil, the protective layer takes approximately 30 days to fully cure and reach its maximum hardness and durability. While it's generally fine for gentle use before this, full resistance to stains and wear is achieved after the curing period. We will always let you know if your item has not had time to fully cure and this will contain the 'cure date' with the product.

Further Information & Contact

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us directly at nicky@therustictree.co.uk. We're always happy to help!