Protecting new oak table from red wine and coffee rings...

[Sheena1066]

We're moving into a new house and have treated ourselves to a lovely new dining table, whose top is pale oak parquet (pic below). It is not sealed, and I'm already having nightmares about wine stains and coffee rings. I hate shiny varnish, and want the colour to stay as pale and beautiful as possible (not turning it orange). Any suggestions for an 'invisible' but durable and matt layer that will enhance the wood while protecting it? We will of course be using place mats and coasters...but accidents do happen. Thanks, all.
loaf.com/products/jigsaw

Clear Matt osmo oil? There’s one suitable for wood worktops.

osmouk.com/product/topoil/

Definitely Osmo oil. The food safe one. It’s not cheap, but is fantastic.

Also, use coasters!

Thanks. Re coasters...see above.

I wanted the same when we bought our new table last year, I had visions of those farmhouse tables that look better with age. But the company convinced me that a matt clear lacquer finish was the more reliable option. Any liquid spilled will soak right in to an unfinished surface. We use an oilcloth most of the time because I worry about the laptop stand and monitor scratching it while I work from home.

Thanks a lot for the tips/comments, folks. I know what you mean, @TeaMilkNonePlease, but don't want to hide the lovely wood beneath a cloth - except perhaps when doing messy crafting/painting. Have had a look at a couple of vids about Osmo Oil, and think we'll give the raw, matt one a go. It does look to be just the thing for the job...

osmo oil, there's also a white one which tones down the colour of wood which you might like

Watching with interest as I bought the same table a year ago and have been wondering the exact same thing!

Hello @Pineapples1980! I will let you know how it goes, but it will be a while, as we are hoping to complete our purchase and move in at the end of June. Then the beautiful table will finally come out of its box! Two purchases have previously fallen through, so it’s been a stressful time...
Anyway, how has the Jigsaw table weathered its first year in your home without any special oil or whatever?

This is the problem with lovely wood tables. I bought an apple wood table 40 years ago. Since we used it daily it always had a tablecloth on to protect it. I decided eventually to leave offthe cloth and risk the damage. It looks so much better.

Sheena1066 it’s been ok so far. We cover it with a cloth when we’re eating, but like you, it feel such a shame as I much prefer to see the table itself.

Guardian Wood Soap, on the provision you can finely sand areas if needed. We use it on our oak Carl Hansen CH24 chairs and it's fab, only occasionally have I had to give marks a light sanding.

Another good tip. Thanks a lot.

Hello - we’re looking to buy the same table (loaf jigsaw table) but struggling to find any reviews ….how has it held up I’ve the last few years and would you recommend? @Sheena1066 @Pineapples1980

What did you end up doing to treat your table @Sheena1066 ? I had a bleached oak table that I protected with an oil finish and over the years (30) it gradually turned to a honey orange color- the top not so orange as it got scrubbed regularly. I would recommend for your table to use the white oil finish or put a glass top over it.

@Sheena1066 @Sophushka @Pineapples1980 - our jigsaw table has just arrived and also having the same concerns about protecting. Would love to know how the osmo oil has worked out for you. Really don’t want to have an oil cloth on it everyday…