protecting some old wood furnitures

[cobb salad_]

My neighbor is 70yo, and she wants to protect some old furniture she has in her guest rooms.

She's got an old 50 yo oak bedroom set, and I think her son has been using Howard's Wax N Feed, which has kept it looking great.
Now, she's got a renter using the top of the dresser as a tabletop, and she's worried about the heavy use, like water, hot plates, and all that. She was looking at some 2mm thick vinyl pads on Amazon, but she's read that vinyl can trap moisture.

I want to help her, has anyone used something like this? is there a good way to protect the wood from daily wear and tear without risking any damage?
Any suggestions for an alternative to vinyl?

 

[FurnsbyFinn]

Hey, it's awesome you're helping your neighbor out with this!
You're right to be wary of those vinyl pads as they can trap moisture and cause a real mess, especially with temperature changes.
A better option would be a custom-cut piece of glass.
You can get a local glass shop to cut a piece of tempered glass to fit the top of the dresser exactly.
It's a bit of an investment, but it's totally worth it for the peace of mind!
It's a great alternative as it's super easy to clean, and it'll protect the wood from almost anything your throw at it.
For a cheaper, short-term fix, she could also get some thick linen placemats or a runner, but nothing beats a glass top for real protection!