Caring for Wood Furniture

Few can deny the natural beauty of true wood-crafted furniture. Even if made from the same species of wood, each piece is unique, with its own fingerprint of markings. When produced properly, a quality piece of wood furniture can last for decades or longer, as long as proper care is taken throughout its life.

Cleaning

Some popular household products on the market claim to clean wood furniture, but you must be careful to avoid harsh chemicals that might hurt the wood finish. Always start small and as gentle as possible. Very slightly dampen a soft, cotton cloth and apply one drop of mild dishwashing detergent and apply it to a small, inconspicuous place on the furniture. Rinse well and immediately dry with a separate, dry cotton cloth. If the finish still looks healthy, you can try a mild solution of dish detergent and water to the entire surface. Rinse the solution and dry quickly.

For tough stains and grime, try applying mineral spirits to a cotton cloth, wipe in a circular motion until the dirt is removed, lightly rinse and dry quickly. Only use pure mineral spirits and not products that contain mineral spirits along with other ingredients.

Never use any wood product that is in an aerosol can. The silicone contained in these products will damage your wood furniture over time.

Protecting

As a natural product, wood behaves in certain ways in different environments. It expands in heat, contracts in cold, and does not thrive in harsh conditions, such as high levels of humidity. The first step in protecting your wood furniture is to keep it in an environment with consistent temperatures that are comfortable to humans and low in humidity.

 To further protect wood furniture, more effort is necessary. The application of safe waxes and polishes can help protect the furniture from changes in temperature and moisture levels. As varnished wood expands from being exposed to heat, it will eventually crack. Cracks allow moisture to settle into the wood, which can lead to further cracking, splitting and even warping. It’s recommended that you apply a reputable wood furniture wax twice a year to help protect against these conditions.

In addition to heat and moisture, bright sunlight can damage your wood furniture over time. If your wood furniture is in the path of direct sunlight on a regular basis, consider using window blinds or window coverings of a moderate to heavy thickness during these hours of the day.

These few simple steps are not time consuming and will not strain your finances, yet will help keep your wood furniture looking its best for years to come.