Teak furniture through a Kerala monsoon

The Kerala monsoon is hard on wooden furniture. From June to September, the humidity in many homes stays above 85 percent for weeks, and even well-dried teak takes on a little moisture. Here is what you might notice, and what to do.

Drawers and shutters may stick, because the wood swells slightly across the grain. Do not plane or sand them; they will shrink back once the rains end, and a planed drawer will rattle in March. Instead, rub a little candle wax or a dry bar of soap along the runners. If a door is very tight, loosen and refit the hinge screws a quarter turn, or ask us to look at it.

White or grey spots on the surface, especially on the underside of tables and the backs of cabinets, are usually mould. Wipe them off with a cloth dampened in a mild solution of vinegar and water, dry the area well and let air reach it. Keep cabinets a few centimetres from walls, especially outside walls that get wet, and open their doors for an hour on dry afternoons. A small bag of silica gel or a few pieces of charcoal in a closed cabinet help absorb moisture.

Avoid covering furniture with plastic sheets, which trap moisture against the wood. Do not oil an oil-finished piece during the monsoon; wait until October, when the air is drier, and the oil will soak in properly. If water ever stands on a piece after a leak, dry it at once and call us; we can usually fix the finish before it spreads.