How to Care for Epoxy & Live-Edge Wood Tables
A handmade epoxy or live-edge table is built to last decades. The finishes we use are tough, food-safe and made for daily life — but like any natural material, a little routine care keeps your piece looking like the day it arrived. This complete guide walks through everyday cleaning, what to avoid, protecting against heat and sun, handling spills and water rings, the seasonal maintenance that keeps wood and resin in top shape, and how to deal with the occasional scratch or dull spot.
Everyday cleaning
For day-to-day care, less is more. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp microfibre cloth, and add a drop of mild dish soap for sticky spots. Dry it with a clean cloth afterward so no moisture sits on the surface. That's genuinely all most tables need, several times a week. Skip the “miracle” sprays — the most common cause of a dull-looking table isn't wear, it's residue and film left behind by the wrong cleaners.
What to avoid
- Abrasive pads and scouring powders — they micro-scratch both wood finishes and epoxy.
- Ammonia- or bleach-based cleaners (most glass cleaners) — they dull and cloud resin over time.
- Alcohol and acetone — can soften or mark some finishes.
- Silicone-heavy “polishes” — they build up a hazy film that's hard to remove.
- Disinfecting wipes used daily — fine occasionally, but the alcohol and additives can dull a finish with constant use.
Protect from heat
Epoxy resin is durable, but it's sensitive to high heat. Always use trivets and coasters for hot pots, mugs, plates and slow cookers. Never set anything straight from the stove or oven onto the surface — sustained heat can leave a permanent mark or soft spot. The same goes for laptops and gaming consoles that run hot during long sessions; a small pad or stand is cheap insurance. Wood finishes can scorch too, so trivets are good practice on any table.
Mind direct sunlight
Long-term, intense sunlight can amber or fade some resins and woods. Our finishes are UV-stabilized, so a sunny room is no problem — but if the table sits in harsh, all-day direct sun (a south-facing window or sunroom), rotate it occasionally or use blinds during peak hours so it ages evenly. This is the same principle as not leaving one half of a wood floor exposed to a sunbeam for years.
Prevent scratches and dents
Most surface damage is avoidable with a few habits:
- Lift objects rather than dragging them across the top.
- Use felt pads under lamps, decor, laptops and anything with a hard base.
- Use placemats under ceramic dishes, which can be surprisingly abrasive on the bottom.
- Keep keys, tools and grit off the surface — they're the usual culprits behind fine scratches.
Spills, water and rings
Epoxy is water-resistant and the wood is sealed, so the occasional spill is no emergency — just wipe it promptly. What you want to avoid is standing water sitting for hours, especially along the wood edges and seams. Use coasters for cold, sweating glasses, and wipe up condensation rings before they have time to settle. If a faint ring does appear on an oiled surface, a light re-oil usually erases it.
Re-oiling live-edge and solid wood
Tables finished with a natural oil or hardwax-oil benefit from a light refresh every 6–12 months (tables with a hard topcoat don't need this). It's quick:
- Clean the surface and let it dry fully.
- Apply a thin, even coat of the recommended food-safe oil with a lint-free cloth, following the grain.
- Let it soak in for 10–15 minutes, then buff off all excess with a dry cloth.
- Let it cure overnight before heavy use.
This feeds the grain, restores depth and renews water resistance. Not sure which finish your table has? Just ask us — we keep a record of every build and can tell you exactly what to use.
Fixing minor scratches and dull spots
Light scratches in an oiled wood surface often disappear with a re-oil. For a dull patch on epoxy, a dedicated resin or automotive-grade polish, applied gently with a soft cloth, can restore the shine. Work in small sections and avoid heat from aggressive buffing. For anything deeper — a gouge, a chip or a cloudy area that won't polish out — don't experiment with household products; reach out and we'll advise the right approach for your specific piece.
Humidity and wood movement
Real wood lives and breathes. In Canadian homes, winter heating makes the air very dry and summer brings humidity, so solid-wood and live-edge tops expand and contract slightly through the year — this is completely normal and a sign of genuine wood, not a defect. Keeping indoor humidity in a comfortable range (roughly 35–50%) and the table away from heating vents, radiators and fireplaces minimizes movement and keeps everything stable. A simple hygrometer and, if needed, a humidifier in winter go a long way.
The first few weeks
A new table is fully cured when it arrives, so you can use it right away — just be a little extra mindful in the first weeks as you learn its surface: where the sun hits, where drinks tend to land, and which spots see the most use. Setting good habits early (coasters, trivets, prompt wipe-ups) means the table will look pristine for years with almost no effort.
Built to last
Every table is handcrafted in Toronto with premium, durable finishes and made to be used, not babied. Explore our epoxy tables, epoxy coffee tables and dining tables — and reach out anytime for care advice tailored to your piece.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean an epoxy table?
Use a soft, damp microfibre cloth with a drop of mild dish soap, then dry it. Avoid abrasive pads and ammonia- or bleach-based cleaners.
Can you put hot things on an epoxy table?
No — always use trivets and coasters. Epoxy resin can be permanently marked by high heat.
How do you maintain a live-edge wood table?
Wipe spills promptly, keep it out of harsh all-day sun, and re-oil or wax oiled finishes every 6–12 months to protect the grain.
Why does my wood table have small cracks or movement?
Solid wood expands and contracts with seasonal humidity — this is normal. Keep indoor humidity around 35–50% and the table away from direct heat to minimize it.
What should I never use to clean my table?
Avoid abrasive scrubbers, ammonia/bleach glass cleaners, acetone, and silicone-based polishes — they dull or damage the finish.
