How to Put a Natural Finish on Wood Furniture

Go over your furniture with fine-grit sandpaper so that the wood is very smooth.

Use a vacuum to remove most of the sawdust and then a barely damp cloth to remove anything that remains. You don't want to have sawdust sealed into your furniture.

Oil your piece with boiled linseed, Danish oil or tung oil. According to the Refinish Furniture website, boiled linseed oil produces a superior finish, but it needs to be applied consistently over the course of a year. "The general rule of thumb for a linseed oil finish is once an hour for a day, once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month for a year," the site says. Other oils should used according to their instructions.

Use shellac or lacquer instead of oil if you need an extremely durable finish. Lacquer is best for furniture that will be outside. Follow the manufacturer's instructions why you apply the finish. Lacquer can be sprayed or brushed on. Imperfections can be buffed out with fine sandpaper or steel wool.