Caring For Antique Furniture

True antique furniture in a decent condition is a rare thing so it’s important to keep it looking the best it can and by doing so you also increase the value of your furniture. If you spend the time and effort to take good care of your antique furniture it can last many more years and be a great source of pleasure to you and any family or friends you may pass the furniture on to. There are a few important things to remember and steps to take however so read on and learn all about caring for our antique furniture.

The first and most important rule when it comes to antique furniture is to never use pledge or windex or any other sort of modern commercial cleaner as they all leave residues, oils, and various chemicals on your furniture which can severely damage it in the long run (which also decreases the value by the way). You also want to be very careful to never use anything that might scratch or damage the surface of your furniture in any way. This includes any kind of rough cloth, feather dusters, or anything else that can mar the surfaces of your antique furniture. Pay attention to whether or not you’re actually cleaning your furniture when you do - are you just moving the dust and dirt around or are you actually getting it off?

A great thing to use on your furniture is a really high quality paste wax to keep wood clean and finished as well as to protect the patina of the furniture which is especially important on older pieces. Ideally this should be done once a year, with a cheesecloth, and thin even coat should be applied and polished. However as you’re polishing your furniture be sure that any hardware or bits of metal on it (such as knobs, screws, hinges etc are not polished or cleaned with any metal cleaning product. The best thing to do is just dust them every so often and avoid any chemicals because these can damage the wood underneath. If the hardware is extremely tarnished but can be removed safely without any damage to the piece then go ahead and remove it, polish it, let it dry and sit away from the piece completely, and then carefully replace it.

It’s also a good idea to watch the storage of any antique furniture because extremes in temperature can adversely effect your furniture and possibly even cause irreversible damage. Humidity or extreme dryness can cause problems as well. Too much of either one can cause wood to shrink, swell, or warp, in response to changes in the amount of moisture in the air and the dryness can cause furniture to dry out very quickly while moisture can create mold and mildew. A lot of this an be prevented by keeping antique furniture out of homes and places that have modern air conditioners and heaters or by adding a humidifier or checking the backs of furniture for dampness.

When it comes to any spills, scratches, tears, stains, or other damages don’t use store bought products or any home-made methods. Instead take the furniture to a high quality furniture repair company or restoration service and have the damage repaired by a professional. Odds are that if you try to do the work yourself you’ll more than likely end up making it worse.

When storing your furniture be sure that it’s wrapped as carefully and securely as possible and that t isn’t going to be bumped or knocked during it’s journey or while it’s in storage. Do the best you can to cover it completely in breathable fabric that will prevent any moisture or dust from accumulating in it or around it. Also be certain that it’s away from any possible weather that may damage it as well as insects or rodents that could eat away at it. The more carefully you prepare your furniture for storage the better off it will be. It’s also worth the extra effort in having a few helping hands when moving it. Older furniture cannot be slid, drug, leaned, and otherwise moved in such a manner that might be hurt it. Newer furniture is designed to be resistant to this kind of wear and tear but older furniture certainly isn’t. Don’t risk scratching, breaking, or otherwise damaging your furniture by trying to move it by yourself.

If you take some extra time and a little extra effort you can greatly increase the life span of your antique furniture while also protecting it and being able to enjoy it.