How to Care for Your New Chess Pieces

We recommend wiping the chessmen after each use with cloth from an old cotton t-shirt. Your House of Staunton Chess Pieces should be lightly waxed and buffed about once a year or less, using only a high-quality paste wax, such as MinWax or Liberon (Clear color), with a cotton cloth or cheesecloth.

The finish must be applied very sparingly, and only applied to the areas which are handled, never the detailed areas such as the mane, eyes and mouths of the Knights, for example. Please make sure that you carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions on the paste wax carefully, as improper waxing could ruin the finish on your Chessmen.

Wax should be removed with a piece of a T-Shirt (this same piece of cloth should be kept, to wipe off the chessmen after each use). A pointed tooth pick can be used to remove waxy residue from the detailed areas if needed. You can tell if the wax is ready for removal if it offers some resistance to the motion of the cloth. The wax must be removed between 15 and 30 minutes after applying. Never let the wax sit for more than 30 minutes or you will not be able to remove it without destroying the finish. Above all else - use the wax sparingly and allow the wax to dry before buffing.

NEVER use an oil on wooden chessmen. It will darken the finish and can cause the finish to become "gummy."

Your House of Staunton wooden Chess Board should be wiped off regularly with a non-abrasive microfiber cloth. Regular dusting of this nature will keep the board clean and there is rarely a need to go beyond this step. Do not leave your Chess Board in direct sunlight with or without the pieces on board as this will lead to the wood darkening from UV exposure.