The best ways to take care of finished hardwood is to clean and apply a conditioner to the surface 3-4 times a year. Do not use a strong cleaner or your finish will be stripped. Dust hardwood with a soft cloth, dampened with a small amount of mild cleaner, following the grain pattern to prevent scratches. Hardwood that does not have a finish can be wiped down with a cloth dampened with teak or Danish oil.

There are a few options for conditioning hardwood. You can moisturize the wood with linseed oil, aka flax seed oil, which will strengthen the hardwood grain. If your bar is used outdoors, make sure the linseed oil is completely dry before moving treated hardwood outside to prevent mildew. Lemon oil is another conditioning option that absorbs into and moisturizes the wood, leaving a long lasting scent.

Keep hardwood out of continuous direct sunlight to keep wood from fading. These few cleaning, maintenance and conditioning steps will help maintain the condition of your hardwood and intensify its richness.