Why Your Restaurant Tables Feel Sticky (And How to Fix It for Less Than 1p) April 22 2026
If you run a restaurant, bar, café or hotel, you’ve probably noticed it at some point, tables that feel tacky to the touch, even right after they’ve been cleaned. Guests notice it too. And it’s not a good first impression.
The frustrating part? The cleaning product your team is using is most likely the cause.
The Problem With Standard Kitchen Sanitisers
Standard kitchen sanitisers are brilliant at what they’re designed for: stainless steel surfaces, tiles, chopping boards and other hard, non-porous materials. But wooden tables with lacquer finishes are a completely different story.
Every time a lacquered table is wiped down with a heavy-duty kitchen sanitiser, the harsh chemicals gradually break down the lacquer coating. Over time, this leads to:
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Sticky surfaces that attract dirt and feel unpleasant to guests
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Dull, degraded finishes that look tired under your dining room lighting
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Peeling and flaking lacquer long before the furniture should need replacing
The damage is cumulative and often invisible until it’s too late. By the time you notice the finish is compromised, it’s already spread across the entire surface.
The Real Cost You're Not Counting
Most hospitality managers think about cleaning costs in terms of the bottle price. But the hidden cost is far greater.
Refinishing or replacing a lacquer-damaged wooden table costs £150-£400+ per table. Multiply that across a full venue (where a quality table costs £200–£800 and a full set can represent a £10,000-£40,000+ investment) and the numbers add up fast.
Standard kitchen sanitisers typically cost 3-8p per application. And that’s before you factor in the long-term damage to your furniture.
There's a Better Way
Relay Spray was developed specifically to solve this problem by a team with 40 years of hospitality furniture experience.
It’s a ready-to-use, multi-surface cleaner formulated to clean wooden tables effectively without damaging the lacquer. No mixing. No measuring. No margin for error. Just spray, wipe and move on to the next cover.
Here’s what makes it different:
- Gentle on lacquered wood, protects the finish rather than degrading it
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No sticky residue left behind
- Fast-drying and streak-free
- Safe for wood, granite, marble and metal surfaces
- Ready to use straight from the bottle
- Meets Environmental Health Officer hygiene standards
A venue turning 30 tables across 3-4 covers an evening can clean every table for three full nights for the cost of a single cup of coffee.
That’s not just a cheaper clean. That’s protecting a furniture asset worth thousands of pounds.
Simple Enough for Any Team
One of the biggest practical advantages of Relay Spray is its simplicity. There’s no dilution required, it arrives ready to use, straight from the bottle.
For front-of-house teams turning tables quickly between covers, that matters. New staff don’t need training on mixing ratios. Every spray delivers exactly the right formulation, every time. For hospitality groups managing multiple sites, this consistency is invaluable.
If your venue uses wooden tables, it’s the smarter, simpler, and more cost-effective choice.
Order today > Shop Relay Spray