Care & Maintenance for Solid Wood Standing Desks

Solid wood furniture has a timeless elegance that’s hard to match, and when it is maintained well, it can last a lifetime. It’s an investment worth maintaining. Here at iMovR, we offer many different solid wood options and multiple finish options for our desktops. Made entirely in the USA from sustainable US-grown species and honest materials, these tops are a testament to American quality craftsmanship.

We’ve assembled these guidelines to help you clean and care for your solid wood desk for years to come.

MAKE SURE TO SCROLL TO THE SECTION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC FINISH TYPE.

For All Finishes

Dusting (All Finishes)

Use a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to dust your desk regularly. Dust that is allowed to remain on a desktop can accumulate into a filmy layer that can damage the surface over time.
Do not use canned air to clean or dust the desktop; the propellant solvents may damage the finish under certain circumstances and cause “blush marks.”

Care & Protection (All Finishes)

Use coasters to prevent water-stain rings from cold drinks and heat damage from hot drinks.
Use care with felt-backed products; the solvents in the adhesive can migrate through the felt and cause "blush marks."
Do not place your desk in close proximity to fireplaces, radiators, or other sources of high heat.
Keep your desk in environmentally controlled areas. The optimum environment is between 60° and 80° F and between 30% and 45% humidity.
Use blinds or curtains on your windows to keep the desk out of direct sunlight. UV light can damage the desk’s finish.

Care Instructions for Desktops Finishes in RUBIO Oil

Cleaning

The Monocoat hardwax oil finish can be cleaned once fully cured - please

assume seven days after order completion. Cleaning should only be done with Monocoat care products:

Monocoat Care Kit: includes one 100ml bottle of the concentrated Natural Soap formula and one 750ml refillable spray bottle
Natural Soap: includes one 100ml bottle of the concentrated Natural

Soap formula, perfect for refills

You can find both products available for purchase here.

Tannin Reactions

Wood surfaces can develop stains and/or spots when exposed to water and/or acid reactions (i.e. black rings left by aluminum cans). Rubio Monocoat’s Tannin Remover can be used on untreated or oiled surfaces to help remove those stains in both indoor or outdoor applications and is available for purchase here.

Restoration [if color restoration is not required]

Over time, you may start to notice wear on the finish due to improper cleaning or in areas of high use. The restoration process works to bring the surface back to its freshly oiled state without the need for sanding. Most residences will need to perform a restoration within 3-6 years while commercial applications will need to do so within 1-3 years. The time frame varies based on use, care and maintenance, and abrasion. Depending on your project, the following products can be used according to the Manufacturer’s recommendation:

Renew: used to restore the look and protection of Monocoat’s 2C oiled finish when it starts to look dry or has been worn down due to use or improper cleaning, available for purchase here.
- Brings the surface back to a freshly oiled state
- Restores the depth and vibrancy of your surface
- Masks scratches in the finish
- Surface use in 4-6 hours
- Can be applied in sections or to the entire surface
Refresh Eco: used to refresh and restore all wooden surfaces that have been treated with oil, available for purchase here.-Acts similarly to Renew but can treat all oiled wooden surfaces
- Sprayable and easy-to-use
- Not suitable for use on floors or stairs due to risk of slipping -Surface use in 6 hours
Universal Maintenance: Used to increase the sheen of the 2C Oil finish, available for purchase here.
- Can be used to convert surfaces finished with another hard wax/drying oil to a Rubio Monocoat finish

Spot Repairs [if color restoration or blending of scratches is required]

Due to the limited protective nature of hard wax oils, you may begin to see shallow scratches on the surface of the finish or deeper scratches that reach down to bare wood with regular use over time. While this wear can add to the patina of the piece, there are options for repair depending on the level of damage present:

If minimal damage is present: you may find that simply dabbing some of Rubio Monocoat’s 2C Oil (in the color which your project was finished in) in the scratch will camouflage the mark(s) without the need for sanding.
If color restoration or blending of scratches is required, please follow the below steps:

Lightly scuff sand the area to be repaired with 180g sandpaper (or a 180g sanding pad) in the direction of the grain. You can lightly feather out your sanding to help the newly oiled finish better blend with the existing finish. Depending on the depth of the scratch and the level of cohesiveness desired for the repair, you may want to sand the entire board evenly up to a glue joint to diminish the sheen difference of a "spot" repair.
Wipe off any dust with a lint-free rag.
Mix part A & part B of the 2C oil (3:1 ratio). Note: it is recommended to use your mixture within 4-6 hours, but it can often last up to 24 hours if stored in an airtight container.
Apply the mixed 2C oil with a lint-free rag in the direction of the grain and allow it to react for approx. 5-10 minutes before wiping away the excess with a clean rag. Be sure that any finish that has overlapped with the surrounding area is also wiped clean.
Allow the area to dry for 24 hours.
Using a piece of 2000g sandpaper lightly run over the surface in the direction of the grain. That's it! Your surface will be fully cured within 5 days from oil application and can be used as you normally would.If you are experiencing dents or deeper gouges, please refer to this video that details how to steam out dents prior to following the sanding steps above.

If you’re unsure of the pigment used on your top, please reach out to one of our team members. While we do not stain our products, we may use certain pigments to counteract the natural aging of certain wood species to encourage a beautiful, long-lasting color.

This information is also available on Rubio Monocoat’s website.

NOTE: RAGS SOAKED IN OIL MAY SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST.

Care Instructions for Desktops Finishes in Poly (Film)

Our "film" finish is a 2-part Italian polyacrylic finish system designed to provide durable surface protection with reduced maintenance under normal interior use conditions. The best way to clean your polyurethane finish is with either a water/vinegar mixture (1/2c vinegar to 1 gal water) or a mild dish soap. Avoid any harsh chemical cleaners as these can wear down the finish over time. Similarly, avoid any abrasive cleaning tools (e.g. steel wool) and refrain from setting hot pots, pans, or appliances directly on the surface as intense heat could cause scorching and/or warping.

For Desktops Manufactured Prior to 7/1/2026

Each desktop is finished with a KCMA-rated conversion varnish, both top and bottom, ensuring long life by reducing the effects of humidity changes on the wood. This formaldehyde-free finish protects the natural wood from moisture, chemicals, abrasion and marring, while being safe for workers and the indoor air quality. By sealing the entire slab, not just the visible areas, we minimize the impact of humidity and temperature changes that can cause other wood desktops to warp over time. (Learn more about the environmentally-sensitive products we use to finish our solid wood desktops here.)

Cleaning

Any spills should be wiped up immediately. Do not allow puddles to form or sit on the desk.
Most cleaning jobs can be accomplished with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. After cleaning, use another soft cloth to wipe the desktop dry immediately.
Specific cleaning tasks may call for specialized cleaners. Never use harsh chemicals, such as all-purpose cleaners, bleach, ammonia, or rubbing alcohol. Never use abrasive cleansers or pads. Look for furniture cleaners designed specifically to clean or polish wood products, and always test any new furniture cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the desk before committing to use it on the entire top—some can leave streaks or undesirable results.

Care & Protection

Use coasters to prevent water-stain rings from cold drinks and heat damage from hot drinks.
Use care with felt-backed products; the solvents in the adhesive can migrate through the felt and cause "blush marks."
Do not place your desk in close proximity to fireplaces, radiators, or other sources of high heat.
Keep your desk in environmentally controlled areas. The optimum environment is between 60° and 80° F and between 30% and 45% humidity.
Use blinds or curtains on your windows to keep the desk out of direct sunlight. UV light can damage the desk’s finish.