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The beauty, versatility and durability of well-crafted wood furniture are why these pieces so often become treasured family heirlooms. The following tips will help you make your wood furniture last for generations.
The first and most important key to caring for your wood furniture is prevention. Keep water and heat from damaging the finish by using cork or fabric coasters, placemats, and hotpads. (Plastic or rubber can stain or stick to the wood’s finish.) Prolonged, uneven exposure to direct sunlight will cause irregular fading and damage, so position furniture away from sunny windows or rotate/rearrange frequently to minimize the sun’s impact.
Dust Regularly
Use a clean soft rag, or microfiber cloth, lightly dampened with water - just enough to pick up the dust. Lift objects to dust underneath rather than sliding them across the wood surface, which could scratch the finish.
Clean Only When Necessary
To remove surface soils, clean finished wood surfaces with a mild pH neutral detergent and water solution (e.g., a few drops of dish detergent in a cup of water) applied with a damp cloth, and dry immediately.
Protect and Shine
Wood furniture pieces with a hard finish such as lacquer, polyurethane, or shellac can be polished yearly (or more often, if the piece undergoes frequent use) with a high quality furniture wax in a well-ventilated area. Silicone sprays and polishes offer no real protection and can interfere with the eventual refinishing of the piece.
When Necessary, Call In An Expert
Precious antiques may require special handling to maintain their value, so it’s wise to get advice from a qualified wood restoration expert or furniture conservator. Likewise, if you notice any splitting or cracking, chipped veneer, or peeling, flaking or gummy finish, it’s time to call in an expert.
