Loading... Please wait...Many of our items are made from teak and suar (rain tree) wood. Both are tropical hardwoods and have been harvested in a sustainable manner in Indonesia.
In order to prevent cracking the woods have been kiln-dried before being carved or worked. Additionally the wood is tested for moisture content before being put on the market to ensure that the products stay stable and to prevent cracking.
Despite all these precautions our products might still produce some cracks - in some cases after years and this will add to the character of the piece and is entirely natural. After all, these are handcrafted, not mass-produced items.
To keep your wood product in the best possible condition here are some tips on how to clean and maintain them:
1. Teak Root products (ARA teak root bowl, TENA and KABUT teak root balls/spheres) do not require any particular maintenance. Since these items are carved from teak root that has dried over a long time risk of cracking or changing shape is minimal. The teak root products are also highly polished and at best need some dusting with a clean cloth. I have been using the ARA bowl with both fruit and vegetables as well as dried or inorganic matter and after use simply cleaned it with a moistened cloth and dried it without any change in wood or coloring.
2. Teak Wood products (BANGKU teak bank, LIPAT coffee table, JATI coffe table) benefit from some maintenance to keep the wood shiny and oiled. The natural teak products have been oiled with teak oil and applying some of this to your products from time to time will help them maintain their polished look. Instead of teak oil you can also use 'orange oil' which is cheaper and more easily available, plus the faint smell of oranges is very pleasant. Teak products that are stained and polished do not need this maintenance - simply clean with a dry or slightly moistened cloth.
3. Suar or Rain Tree Wood (BANGUN, INDAH, RONDE, SAMPUL, SHOGUN, TAMARIND side & accect tables; some Buddha statues) have been long dried and then again kiln-dried before being carved or shaped. Despite this, some cracks might appear over the years. Usually they add to the overall appeal of the tables since it shows the character of the wood and it's natural characteristics. One of my TAMARIND tables has developed a small crack in the grain but quite frankly it has enhanced the piece. Cleaning for these tables is minimal - use a clean cloth, slighly moistened, to clean the dust off. If there is any residue on the tables (after a party when glass rings or any other are left on the table surface) use a small amount of dishwasher detergent on the cloth to clean off. Let dry naturally.