answer:According to my SO’s uncle, who is a French polisher, the best care for wooden furniture is not to wax, polish, or oil them. He also recommends not covering them, at least not on a long-term basis. Wax creates a build-up, polish can discolor, and oil is greasy. Just a damp cloth for wiping it down, and a dab of cleanser, if necessary, is all that is needed according to him. We place a table cloth out for some meals, and use place mats and trivets for hot items. My mother has protective pads that were customized for their dining room table, and I’ve been told that you can have them custom-made. This might be the best option if you have cats that you cannot prevent from jumping on the table Wax creates a build-up, polish can discolor, and oil is greasy. Just a damp cloth for wiping it down, and a dab of cleanser, if necessary, is all that is needed according to him.