ᐅ What type of maintenance is recommended for limed (whitewashed) Billy shelves?
Created on: 28 Oct 2018 19:32
N
nigelsoHello everyone,
I have a question that came up while I was cleaning my living room shelves: What kind of care is suitable for wooden shelves that have been treated with a lye wash?
I have several shelves from Ikea that are not painted or sealed, but only treated with lye. The surface feels quite raw compared to painted furniture, and I’m unsure what products I can use to care for the shelves without damaging the lye treatment or the wood grain.
Is it okay to apply special wood oils or wax? Or is a damp cloth sufficient? Should I even apply anything to protect the wood?
I would appreciate tips that explain how surface protection works and what to avoid when cleaning, especially with lye-treated wood. Thanks in advance!
I have a question that came up while I was cleaning my living room shelves: What kind of care is suitable for wooden shelves that have been treated with a lye wash?
I have several shelves from Ikea that are not painted or sealed, but only treated with lye. The surface feels quite raw compared to painted furniture, and I’m unsure what products I can use to care for the shelves without damaging the lye treatment or the wood grain.
Is it okay to apply special wood oils or wax? Or is a damp cloth sufficient? Should I even apply anything to protect the wood?
I would appreciate tips that explain how surface protection works and what to avoid when cleaning, especially with lye-treated wood. Thanks in advance!
Hello nigelso,
I completely understand your concerns, as limed wood does require a slightly different approach compared to painted or oiled wood. With limed Billy shelves, the surface remains open-pored, so it’s best to avoid treatments containing oils or waxes, since these can seal the wood and alter the natural effect of the liming.
It’s important to regularly wipe the wood with a soft cloth, possibly slightly dampened with water or very mild soapy water. After cleaning, the surface should dry quickly to prevent staining.
If you really want to use a treatment, a special care oil designed for limed wood can be applied very thinly. Just make sure it’s a product that won’t dissolve or cover the lime finish.
Please avoid harsh or aggressive cleaning agents, as these can remove the lime. Also, I recommend keeping the shelf in a place with stable humidity to prevent the wood from swelling.
I hope this helps you!
I completely understand your concerns, as limed wood does require a slightly different approach compared to painted or oiled wood. With limed Billy shelves, the surface remains open-pored, so it’s best to avoid treatments containing oils or waxes, since these can seal the wood and alter the natural effect of the liming.
It’s important to regularly wipe the wood with a soft cloth, possibly slightly dampened with water or very mild soapy water. After cleaning, the surface should dry quickly to prevent staining.
If you really want to use a treatment, a special care oil designed for limed wood can be applied very thinly. Just make sure it’s a product that won’t dissolve or cover the lime finish.
Please avoid harsh or aggressive cleaning agents, as these can remove the lime. Also, I recommend keeping the shelf in a place with stable humidity to prevent the wood from swelling.
I hope this helps you!
P
Phoenix3029 Oct 2018 09:03barle schrieb:
Do not use oils or waxes, as they clog the surface.This statement deserves a closer look: A wood surface treated with lye is open-pored, yet applying a suitable maintenance oil can be beneficial to strengthen the fibers and protect against dirt.
However, it is important to critically evaluate which products are truly appropriate and how they affect the overall appearance. Simply cleaning with a damp cloth is certainly sufficient, but protection against future soiling and moisture is limited.
Peone schrieb:
If you really want to apply some care, a special maintenance oil for lye-treated wood is recommended, applied very thinly.Here, I would emphasize scrutinizing the exact composition, as many commercially available oils can undermine the characteristics of the lye treatment. Are there any experiences with specific brands or ingredients?
In general, I believe the advantages of open surfaces should not be compromised by excessive treatment.
Hello everyone,
I completely understand the concerns about proper maintenance, as I have personally worked on my own limed Billy shelves several times and tried to “improve” them, which sometimes backfired.
I found that applying care oils or similar products too intensively on my wood often caused stains and uneven color changes. For me, it worked best to leave the furniture surface as untreated as possible, just keeping it dust-free and wiping it with a slightly damp cloth.
That is true, but I have always wondered if the effect of the oil might actually counteract that of the lime wash—specifically by reducing moisture absorption and thus diminishing the nice natural feel.
I also believe the environment is important: some areas experience more wear or slightly higher humidity, and in those cases choosing the right location or avoiding direct sunlight often helps more than any maintenance routine.
I hope the thread starter can gather some useful experiences here, because knowing that you’re not alone with these uncertainties has always helped me.
Stay curious and cheerful!
I completely understand the concerns about proper maintenance, as I have personally worked on my own limed Billy shelves several times and tried to “improve” them, which sometimes backfired.
I found that applying care oils or similar products too intensively on my wood often caused stains and uneven color changes. For me, it worked best to leave the furniture surface as untreated as possible, just keeping it dust-free and wiping it with a slightly damp cloth.
Phoenix30 schrieb:
A limed surface is open-pored; however, applying a suitable care oil can make sense
That is true, but I have always wondered if the effect of the oil might actually counteract that of the lime wash—specifically by reducing moisture absorption and thus diminishing the nice natural feel.
I also believe the environment is important: some areas experience more wear or slightly higher humidity, and in those cases choosing the right location or avoiding direct sunlight often helps more than any maintenance routine.
I hope the thread starter can gather some useful experiences here, because knowing that you’re not alone with these uncertainties has always helped me.
Stay curious and cheerful!
Phoenix30 schrieb:
Are there any experiences here with specific brands or ingredients?So far, I have only tried clear varnish on other furniture, but for whitewashed Billy shelves, I stick to using a dry or slightly damp cloth.
I find oils tricky because the whitewash creates a very thin protective layer that quickly starts to look uneven.
Similar topics