Stop Spraying Sanitiser on Wooden Restaurant Tables

Using sanitiser on wooden restaurant tables might seem the best way to maintain a clean and hygienic dining environment. However, many restaurant owners and staff don’t realise that these chemical-based sanitisers can do more harm than good. Over time, they can cause irreversible damage to wooden table surfaces, leading to unnecessary costs in repairs and replacements. Here at BE Furniture Sales, we want to help you protect your investment and keep your restaurant looking its best.

Why not to use sanitisers on wooden restaurant tables - BE Furniture Sales

Sanitising Wooden Tables is a Bad Idea

The inappropriate use of harsh cleaning products, including widely used sanitisers like D10, is the number one cause of damage to wooden table tops in hospitality spaces.

Most wooden restaurant tables have a lacquered or varnished finish to protect against spills, scratches, and general wear and tear. Lacquer is made by dissolving nitrocellulose with plasticisers and pigments in a mixture of solvents. If cared for properly, it provides a strong protective layer that can last for years. However, common sanitisers, especially those containing high concentrations of alcohol, bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals, gradually break down the lacquer, causing it to soften and become more vulnerable to damage.

When the lacquer deteriorates, wooden tables are left unprotected, making them more likely to develop visible scratches, cloudy discolouration, and watermarks from hot and wet glasses. In some cases, the lacquer may start to peel or completely wear away, exposing the raw timber underneath. This damage is entirely preventable.

You Don’t Need to Use a Sanitiser on Restaurant Table Tops

That’s right! No legislation requires sanitisers to be used on restaurant tables. The legal requirements for food hygiene focus on kitchen and food preparation areas, not front-of-house dining spaces.

What Does the Law Say?

Annex II, Chapter I, Paragraph 1 of EU Regulation 852/2004 states: “Food premises are to be kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition.”

The regulation also specifies areas where food is prepared, treated, or processed, which must be “maintained in a sound condition and be easy to clean and, where necessary, to disinfect.”

The distinction here is clear: while the entire premises must be kept clean, only kitchen and food preparation areas must be disinfected where necessary. Disinfectant is not required on wooden restaurant tables, and doing so could do more harm than good.

What the Food Standards Agency Says

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) provides the following two-step guidance for cleaning food preparation areas:

Use a cleaning product to remove visible dirt from surfaces and equipment, then rinse.
Disinfect the surface using the correct dilution and contact time for the disinfectant, then rinse with fresh, clean water if required.

Only step one is necessary for front of house tables; cleaning with detergent and water is sufficient to maintain hygiene.

The Problem with D10 and Other Sanitisers

D10 is widely used in commercial kitchens because it is a concentrated detergent disinfectant designed specifically for food preparation surfaces, which are usually made from stainless steel. These non-porous surfaces can handle harsh chemical cleaners. However, wooden tables are entirely different; they are porous and protected by lacquer, which is gradually destroyed by sanitisers.

Sanitisers that contain abrasives, ammonia, bleach, spirit, or other aggressive chemicals will corrode the lacquer and ruin the tabletop. Over time, the damage becomes irreversible, making tables appear worn and unsightly.

Signs of Sanitiser Damage on Wooden Table Tops

If your restaurant tables are starting to show the following signs, it may be due to excessive sanitiser use:

The lacquer looks milky or cloudy instead of clear and bright.
The surface scratches easily or has developed ring marks from hot or wet glasses.
The lacquer has completely worn away, exposing raw timber.

The Best Way to Clean Wooden Restaurant Tables

So what’s the solution? It’s much simpler than you might think.

The best way to clean wooden restaurant tables is with warm, soapy water, nothing more.

If you use liquid detergent to wash dishes, you can squirt a small amount into a bucket of warm water for an effective and safe cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can fill an empty trigger spray bottle with warm, soapy water for convenient use during service.

Additional Tips for Table Maintenance

At the end of service, use furniture polish or a wood-safe cleaner to nourish the wood and maintain its protective layer.
Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth to prevent staining or moisture damage.
Avoid excess moisture; never leave wet cloths or cleaning solutions on the table.
Check with your furniture supplier for recommended cleaning methods to ensure longevity.

Why Some Tables Wear Faster Than Others

Some wooden tables wear faster than others due to differences in lacquer types and finishes:

Glossy lacquer finishes provide a harder, more durable protective layer than matt finishes, which may wear more quickly.
Stained wooden table tops are sometimes more vulnerable, as the stain sits beneath the lacquer rather than being absorbed into the wood, reducing adhesion.
Acid Catalyst (AC) lacquer is now commonly used instead of Polyurethane (PU) lacquer, as PU is more toxic and less environmentally friendly. While AC lacquer is slightly less hard-wearing, it remains the industry standard for commercial tables.
Lighting conditions can make damage more obvious; scratches and marks are far more noticeable in well-lit restaurants than in dimly lit pubs or clubs.

Protecting Your Restaurant Furniture Investment

Your restaurant tables play the starring role in creating a welcoming dining experience, but using the wrong cleaning methods can drastically shorten their lifespan. Avoiding harsh sanitisers and sticking to simple, safe cleaning techniques can keep your tables looking beautiful for years.

If you’re looking for high-quality, durable restaurant furniture or need expert advice on maintaining your existing tables, BE Furniture Sales is here to help. Stop spraying sanitiser on your wooden restaurant tables—switch to a safer, more thoughtful way of keeping them clean and pristine.