Caring for a wooden chess set: clean, feed, store
Contents · 9 sections
To look after a wooden chess set, dust it every week with a soft, dry cloth, clean it with a barely damp cloth when it's dirty, and feed the wood once or twice a year with a clear wax suited to its finish. The rest is a matter of location: away from sunlight, away from radiators, in a room that is neither too dry nor too damp.
This guide sets out the right habits for each wood finish, the products to avoid and how to store a set so that it lasts for decades. If you're looking for a new set, see our wooden chess sets.
- Every week: a wipe with a soft, dry cloth, on the board and on the pieces.
- If it's dirty: a barely damp microfibre cloth, mild soap, then dry straight away.
- Once or twice a year: clear wax or oil, depending on the finish.
- Never use lots of water, household cleaners, alcohol or silicone spray.
Start by identifying the finish
The right care depends on what protects the wood. Try the water drop test somewhere discreet: if the drop beads and stays on the surface, the wood is varnished or lacquered; if it darkens the wood and soaks in slowly, it is oiled, waxed or unfinished.
| Finish | How to recognise it | Care | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varnished or lacquered | glossy or satin surface, water beads | dry cloth, occasionally a little wax | oil, which doesn't soak in and leaves a greasy film |
| Oiled | matt look, feels like wood | a thin coat of suitable oil once a year | too much oil, which turns sticky |
| Waxed | slight sheen, soft to the touch | clear wax once or twice a year | lots of water, which turns the wax white |
| Unfinished | matt wood, dry to the touch | wax or oil for its first protection | finger marks and water, which mark it quickly |
Swipe the table to see all columns.
Most shop-bought sets are varnished or lacquered. If in doubt, stick to a dry cloth and a clear wax: it's the safest care for every finish.
The weekly habit: dusting
Over time, dust scratches the wood, especially when you slide the pieces. A dry microfibre cloth over the board and each piece is enough. Pay attention to the knight's head and the rook's battlements, where dust builds up; a soft brush helps with fine carving.
Cleaning a dirty board
- Dampen a microfibre cloth with warm water and a drop of mild soap, then wring it out until it is barely damp.
- Wipe along the grain of the wood, square by square, without rubbing hard.
- Dry straight away with a second, dry cloth. The wood must never stay wet.
- Let it air-dry for a few minutes before putting the pieces back.
Never use a soaking sponge, household cleaners, wipes, alcohol, neat vinegar or silicone dusting spray. They attack the finish, dull the wood or leave a film that stops wax from taking afterwards.
Feeding the wood once or twice a year
Over time, wood dries out and loses its lustre. A clear furniture wax, or beeswax, restores its depth and protects it from stains.
- Dust and clean the board, then let it dry thoroughly.
- Put a small amount of wax on a soft cloth and spread it in a very thin coat, along the grain.
- Leave it to dry for the time given on the product, often 15 to 30 minutes.
- Buff with a clean cloth until the wood no longer feels tacky.
For the pieces, do the same with a little wax on a cloth, without getting any under the felt. Always test the product on a hidden area, such as the underside of the board.
Protecting the set day to day
- Sunlight. Direct sun fades wood: dark woods turn paler and some light woods yellow. Keep the set away from sunny windows.
- Heat. A radiator, a fireplace or a lit display cabinet dries out the wood, which can split or come unglued.
- Damp. A cellar, a conservatory or a bathroom makes wood swell and warps the board. A lived-in room at 45 to 60% humidity is ideal.
- Knocks. Put the pieces down rather than banging them on the board, especially weighted pieces.
Woods don't all react in the same way: some are more stable than others. Our guide to the wood of a chess board compares their stability.
Storing a wooden chess set properly
A well-stored set suffers little wear. On a folding chess board, fit the pieces into their slots before closing the board. For a board on its own, keep the pieces in a box or a fabric bag so they don't knock together, and store the board flat.
Fixing minor damage
- A light scratch often fades with wax, or with a tinted wax close to the colour of the wood.
- Felt that has come loose can be stuck back with a dot of glue (wood glue or contact adhesive); if it's worn, cut a new piece to the size of the base.
- A crack or chip needs wood glue and a clamp, or a cabinetmaker if the set is valuable.
Our pick for storing and protecting
A box for the pieces, a bag to take them with you, and a folding set that stores everything inside the board.
