Dust your furniture regularly and polish every 6 months.
When polishing your furniture – avoid polishes with silicone – these can break down the finish on your furniture over time.
Cleaning & polishing your furniture should be done on a regular basis. Dust attracts moisture, which can accumulate & soften the finish on your furniture. This can lead to further damage, possibly to the wood itself.
When cleaning your furniture use non-abrasive and safe cleaners such as Simple Green.
Quarterly cleaning with a silicone-free wood cleaner will remove any grime or buildup.
Place furniture away from heating and air conditioning vents.
Blot up spills immediately.
Use coasters, place mats and tablecloths to protect furniture during use.
Lift and place items instead of sliding across furniture surfaces.
Use felt backing on lamps, ashtrays, and other accessories to prevent scratching and gouging.
Rotate accessories on your furniture periodically.
Avoid using nail polish remover or other harsh household products near wood furniture to avoid possible damage from spills or splashes.
Because the brass hardware on your fine furniture has a protective finish to prevent tarnishing, an occasional dusting is all that is necessary.
Avoid prolonged use of plastic and rubber items on your furniture.
Even dust may be abrasive so always dust with the grain and not across it.
Never use glass cleaners on finished furniture. Ammonia will chemically attack the lacquer.
When storing table leaves, always lay flat, beneath a bed or somewhere out of the way. Standing will cause warpage.
When using a polish apply and buff along the grain of the furniture.
Furniture oils will temporarily enhance the finish and appearance, but can contribute to the degradation of the finish over time as oils leave a residue that can attract dust and dirt build up.
The idea that antique furniture needed to be fed with oil to keep from drying out is a myth. Wood does not dry out from the lack of oil but rather from the lack of moisture. As such, storage in hot dry areas such as an attic should be kept to a minimum.
A thin coat of wax applied following the manufacturers recommendation annually will help protect your antique furniture’s finish. In between waxing, dusting with a soft, lint free cloth on a regular basis. Dampen the cloth slightly and turn frequently. A dry rag can cause scratches when dusting.
Store patio furniture indoors or cover well when not in use.
With your outdoor furniture – Avoid direct contact with damp soil for extended periods.
With your outdoor furniture – Store patio furniture indoors or cover well when not in use.
Never place burning candles on a finished wood surface. As the candle burns down and the wax melts, it can generate and transfer enough heat to damage the finish and wooden surface.
Always use a protective pad when writing with a ballpoint pen on the furniture surface.
Keep furniture out of direct sunlight.
Use place mats under plates and hot pads under serving dishes when serving hot food.
Put house plants in drip-proof pots and keep foliage from touching furniture surfaces to prevent moisture damage.
Use coasters under both hot and cold drinks.
Do not place synthetic rubber or plastic items directly on wood to avoid chemical damage to furniture finish.
Do not leave newspapers or magazines lying on wood to avoid possible ink bleeding into the furniture finish.
Wiping down wood furniture with a damp cloth weekly will help it keep its luster.
Avoid extremes in room humidity. Too high or too low humidity can cause wood to warp or the glue lines to fail.
Make minor repairs while they are still small.
Avoid silicone polishes. Silicone oil is an ingredient used by many furniture polish makers to create a high degree of shine. Silicone seeps into even the most lacquered finishes, making it difficult to remove.
Rotate accessories on furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all of the time.
Never use glass cleaners or other hard surface cleaning products. These products will damage the original finish over time.
Using touch up fill sticks or crayons that can repair minor nicks and scratches.
Store table leaves as close as possible to the table. Keep them in an upstairs closet rather than a damp basement so that table and leaves are adjusting to the same humidity conditions.
If you have wax or gum on the surface – Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it. Pry off with a fingernail or credit card. Rub the area with extra-fine (0000) steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry.
If you have white marks – Rub with a cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid, followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry.