Apr 10, 2020

Mango Wood Furniture in Austin: Before You Buy

This article is part of our series on the woods we use, detailing all pros and cons you need to know before you buy. A little education goes a long way when choosing furniture for your home.

WATCH: MITCH'S WORLD OF WOODS - MANGO WOOD

What is Mango Wood?

Mango Wood, scientific name Mangifera Indica is a hard wood that is part of the Anacardiaceae family, which includes plants like pistachio, cashe, an poison ivy. Originally native to Southeast Asia, particularly India and Myanmar, the presence of mango wood grew with the thriving mango industry. Mango wood is now found in many tropical tropical regions in Southeast Asia, the Pacific (such as Hawaii), and Brazil.

Being a hard wood, mango's hardness is measured to be 1,070 pounds per foot (4,780 Newtons) on the Janka Hardness Scale, making it between Mahogany and Oak in terms of hardness. It is rated as moderately durable to perishable to rot, so outdoor use without an external protective finish is not recommended.

Mango wood's grain is characterized as a straight, interlocking pattern. Primary colors present in the natural wood are typically light brown to golden brown.

Mango wood is also subject to spalting, which is an effect from a fungus that grows in the heartwood that results in unique patterns and colors, such as the added presence of yellows, greys, and sometimes even pink!

In addition to making beautiful pieces of furniture, the lumber is also used for ukuleles, veneers, plywood, and flooring.

Why do We Use Mango Wood?

Colonial Plantation Mango Table

We use mango wood for four main reasons: it's affordable, it's easy to work with, it's durable, and it's sustainable.

AFFORDABILITY

Due to it being a by-product of the thriving worldwide mango industry, mango wood is plentiful supply. This leads us to being able to source the wood at a lower costs when compared to other exotic woods such as teak, mahogany, and cypress.

USABILITY

Despite being a hard wood, Mango is very easy to work with. It does not require special tools and is less likely to crack or splinter as other woods.

In addition, the wood takes well to staining and finishing, which makes it great for emulating other more expensive woods such as walnut.

Nimes Table

DURABILITY OF MANGO WOOD

While unfinished, mango wood is susceptible to fungus attacks. Outdoor use without an external finish is not recommended.

Once finished, the density of the mango wood leads to it being able to withstand everything life can throw at it. This is why we apply our water-based lacquer finish to all pieces.

SUSTAINABILITY

Mango Wood Mineral Deposits

The mango tree is not listed on any lists as a vulnerable species. In addition, we take extra steps to ensure that our wood is harvested 100 percent sustainably. We work with local farmers in India to harvest their wood once the trees mature past their fruit-bearing lifespan.

Normally, these farmers would burn these trees down once they no longer bear fruit in order to clear space for replanting. By partnering with us, these farmers gain both extra income and have less work on their part, since we come in to harvest the lumber from these trees.

It even improves the quality of the wood! Since the mango tree is no longer producing fruit, it dedicates the extra nutrients and minerals to its bark. This results in stronger lumber and the added presence of beautiful, unique mineral deposits!

Wood Care: Tips For Maintaining Your Mango Wood Furniture

It's important to note that this is a living, breathing piece of furniture. For longer lasting furniture, proper maintenance is vital! For a piece that can truly stand for generations, consider these tips:

Wipe the furniture daily with a soft cloth (a slightly moistened cloth is advisable to ensure all dust stays on the cloth). Avoid rags that have heavy stitching as this could cause scratches
No need to worry about water spillage due to lacquer finish. Avoid exposing the wood to alcohol, deodorants, perfumes, nail varnishes and similar liquids. If spillage occurs, wipe immediately with a dry cloth. Will pull moisture from wood when left, causing cracking. Alcohol such as red wine would also stain the wood.
Place your furniture carefully so that it’s not in contact with direct sunlight (this can cause fading and, in some cases, cracking).
Do not place furniture next to fireplaces or radiators as this can cause warping.
We recommend using place mats and coasters when resting hot drinks or dishes on the furniture.
As soon as scratches or stains are discovered, seal them with a small amount of matching paint or varnish. Always test a discrete area such as the underside of a table before applying any varnish, wax or cleaner to a surface.
Recommendation: Rotate your mango wood pieces to expose all angles to an equal amount of air and light.
Wipe down periodically with a slightly damp or dry dust cloth that contains no heavy stitching, in order to avoid scratches.
Avoid all cleaning tools with a rough surface. This will wear down the finish and increase the likelihood of scratching.
Avoid polish or cleaning products containing silicone, which can dry out natural wood over time.
Do not use detergents or any cleaning products that contain ammonia. These will take moisture out of the wood and wear down the finish much faster.
Rub wax in to the wood to create a beautiful shine and a natural protective finish. It also prevents the wood from drying out.