Daily · Do nothing

Walnut is meant to live in the room with you. Dust it with a soft, dry cloth when you dust the rest of the shelf. That's most of the care it needs. Do not apply furniture polish, glass cleaner, or any spray labeled "wood care" — most of these leave a film on oiled walnut that dulls the natural sheen.

Every few months · A quick wipe

If the surface starts to look slightly dry (usually in winter, when indoor heating drops humidity), wipe the whole sculpture with a barely damp cloth, dry immediately, and let it sit overnight.

Once a year · Re-oil

Once a year, put a single drop of food-safe mineral oil (or a butcher-block conditioner) on a lint-free cloth and rub the entire surface in the direction of the grain. Let it soak for 30 minutes, then buff off any excess. The walnut will darken slightly for a day, then settle into a slightly deeper tone than before. This is how walnut is meant to age.

What to avoid

• Direct sunlight for hours a day — walnut will slowly lighten under UV. A shelf, mantle, or nightstand out of a sun beam is ideal.
• Bathrooms or over radiators — extreme humidity swings can cause any solid wood to check (develop hairline cracks).
• Standing water — wipe up any spills immediately. Walnut is oiled, not sealed with plastic, so a puddle left overnight will leave a mark.
• Dishwashers, dryers, ovens. Obvious, we know. But it happens.

If something goes wrong

A shallow scratch will usually disappear on its own with a re-oil — walnut is soft enough that dents rise under moisture. A deeper mark can be sanded out with 400-grit paper and re-oiled. If in doubt, email a photo and we'll walk you through it.

Walnut doesn't age. It matures.