Wooden furniture is an artistic showpiece with its unadorned patterns and colors. Also, if you take care of of your wooden furniture then it can last you for many lifetimes. The cost for this type of quality is the requirement of regular maintenance.

Everyday attention

There are few rules, which can be used for all types of wooden furniture. Let’s start by making it perfectly clear that wood and humidity do NOT go together. When removing dirt or dust from the surfaces, do not use any type of wet cloth, only ever use a cloth that is soft to clean it. Keep the wooden furniture dry at all times by wiping up any damp areas or droplets. Only ever put furniture in rooms that have a reasonably constant temperature and where the humidity is neither high nor low. Likewise, placing your antique table next to the heater is not the greatest idea.

Another massive adversary of wooden furniture is the sun. Sunshine decolorizes wood and can be the cause of color fading. Permanent damage can be caused over a period of time. Hot items can cause immediate damage, so avoid placing items such a hot crockery, lights and other such objects on it. Coverings in the form of cork mats is something that your need to purchase - avoid mats made of plastic and rubber substances as these can damage the surface. Scratches can appear from ornaments so place a mat under them, as well as using them to place under any hot items.

Variations of finishes

Different types of wood need specific care therefore we need to find out what type of finish your furniture has. Soft (oiled), painted and hard wood, which has varnish and shellac, are the three general kinds of wood finishes. Not all veneers on wood are clear to determine, though painted wood is very easy to perceive.

Once you have discounted a painted coating then, in a concealed spot, rub a little linseed into the surface. An oiled or soft veneer will absorb the linseed. If not, persist with a little of acetone. Any lacquer on the wood will disintegrate immediately whilst a polyurethane will see it run off. Varnishes and shellacs both appear sticky after minute. Varnish will respond much more slowly if a few drops of alcohol are put over the area, so determining whether the finish is varnish or shellac.

Look out for the later chapter in wood furniture maintenance where we will scrutinize these different types of finishes.