Rubberwood, also called parawood or plantation hardwood, is a product of the rubber tree that is grown as a source of natural rubber in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brazil. Rubberwood is one of the most environmentally friendly wood species in the world because most of these trees are grown on renewable rubber plantations. When the trees stop producing latex sap, the world’s raw material for rubber, they are cut down for hard, workable wood, and then new rubber trees are planted to replace them. This qualifies plantation-grown rubberwood as a sustainable forest product. The result is a durable, attractive and exotic wood for the manufacture of all types of furniture, including children’s furniture.
Rubberwood is a distant cousin to our domestic maple from which many of our finest hardwood toys and children’s furniture are made. While rubber wood is technically a hard wood, it should be considered a moderately hard wood that is softer than maple, oak, and birch, and more comparable in hardness to black cherry, ash, and teak. Like all other hardwoods, rubberwood has higher density and durability than softwood such as pine and fir.
The first rubberwood furniture my wife and I bought was a Malaysian-made dining table and chairs that we bought when our children were very young, about 20 years ago. This rubberwood product has served us well for all the years our children grew up in our home and it still looks just as beautiful today as the day we brought it home from the store. We fully anticipate using this same furniture set in retirement and eventually passing it on to one of our children. The only problem with our rubber wood furniture will be deciding which of the children will be the lucky one to receive it. Children’s furniture made of rubber wood is made of a quality material that allows a keepsake item to be passed down from generation to generation.
Cleaning and caring for rubberwood furniture is no different from furniture made from other hardwood material. Here are some tips to keep your furniture looking good for years to come. Keep rubber wood furniture dry and clean up spills immediately. Avoid leaving your furniture in the way of humidifiers, heating and cooling vents, and direct sunlight for extended periods. Use coasters, heating pads, and pot holders instead of placing hot or wet items directly on your furniture. These steps will help preserve the integrity of your furniture finish, which in turn protects the beauty of your rubberwood product.
