Extending the life and beauty of your wood furniture simple requires some regular maintenance and precautionary efforts. However, it is important to proceed with caution to avoid causing any expensive, irreversible damage. When in doubt, consult with a wood furniture care expert, such as Deck Doc.
Experts have different opinions on how to care for wood furniture. When purchasing new or used furnishings, it’s wise to request specific cleaning instructions.
As much as possible, keep wood furniture away from sunlight and open windows. Over time, the sun will harm the finish and cause the wood to shrink and crack. For similar reasons, avoid placing wood furniture close to vents or heating units.
Use a soft cloth, warm water, and mild dish soap to clean your wood furniture. Never use all-purpose cleaners, bleach, or harsh abrasives. Water will not harm your furniture as long you don’t soak it.
An easy way to reduce possible furniture rings and heat damage is to use coasters, placemats, and potholders. Also, using a tablecloth is a simple way to protect against possible spills.
Despite product claims, wood furniture cannot be enriched or nourished by oils or polishes if it is properly sealed and protected.
A viable way to protect your wood furniture’s finish is by applying a high-quality, think coat of soft paste wax.
Regularly dusting helps to protect wooden furniture. When dust builds up it can scratch the wood. Therefore, frequent dusting is an important way to prevent damages caused by dust buildup.
When it comes to dusting your wood furniture, use a soft cloth such as microfiber or lambswool dusters.
It is possible to remove those white hazy spots. Try rubbing mixed equal parts white non-gel toothpaste and baking soda on the areas with your fingers. Subsequently, buff off with a clean soft cloth.
You can treat some minor scratches with products like Old English Scratch Cover. It will help hide issues that negatively impact the wood’s appearance. However, if the wood damage is extensive, you may want to resurface it (sanding), stain it, and seal it. A quicker solution would be to paint it, giving it a completely fresh look.
When wooden furniture becomes extremely dry it may be necessary to oil it. Depending upon its condition, this process usually involves proper cleaning, surface preparation, and applying furniture oil. The oil will soak into the wood restoring some moisture.
Occasionally wooden furniture will emit an unpleasant smell, particularly if it’s old and has been in storage for years. If possible, let the furniture piece sit outside in a dry, shaded area on a warm day. A quick and easy way to eliminate the order is to sprinkle baking soda on the surface and place a pan of charcoal in the drawers.
About Deck Doc
With over 20 years of experience, Deck Doc provides top-quality deck cleaning, sealing, staining, restoration, and maintenance services for residential and commercial customers throughout Chicagoland. Call 847-979-9299 to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate.