Wooden furniture cleaning & care tips

We all have that one piece of wooden furniture that’s special to us. Maybe it’s a desk that your grandfather built or an antique chair that’s been in your family for generations.  Whatever that piece is, you want to keep it in beautiful condition. With regular care and attention, your wooden furniture can avoid the need for repairs and look its best for years of enjoyment.

To protect for your favourite pieces of wooden furniture, follow these helpful wooden furniture cleaning and care tips:

1. Clean with soap and water.

A damp cloth and mild dish soap are usually all you need to clean your furniture. After cleaning, rinse with a soap-free, damp cloth; then dry the surface with a third cloth. Avoid all cleaners containing ammonia; as ammonia can damage wooden furniture.

2. Polish furniture after cleaning.

Every time you clean wooden furniture, some of the polish will come off. Polishing can help bring back the shine and protect the surface. Make sure that you use furniture polish that does not contain a high amount of alcohol, as this can damage wood finishes.

3. Dust your furniture.

Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth or brush to dust your furniture. Frequent dusting helps protect the finish from unwanted grit and dirt build-up.

4. Use coasters for glasses.

Always use coasters with felt or cork bottoms to ensure water rings do not occur on your wooden furniture. Never let water stand on the surface of your wooden furniture.

5. Use trivets for hot dishes.

Protect furniture from hot plates and dishes with a natural fibre table cloth, or table mat, Placing hot plates and dishes directly on a wooden surface can result in burn marks and stains.

6. Keep furniture out of direct sunlight.

Sunlight can dry out furniture and fade wood surfaces, the heat from the sun can melt finishes and create hard-to-repair cracks.

7. Protect furniture from pets.

Our furry friends can accidentally scratch and damage furniture, to prevent pet damage, protect wooden surfaces with a natural fibre table cloth, chair cover or protective pad.

8. Do not place coffeemakers under upper cabinets.

Steam from coffeemakers and kettles may damage the finish of wooden cabinets, instead, place coffeemakers on kitchen islands or other open areas.

How too much or too little moisture can affect wood furniture.

Because wood breathes, it is susceptible to dry and wet conditions, and too much moisture can lead to mildew, while too much dryness can weaken joints and cause your furniture to lose its natural luster. Maintaining this delicate balance for your furniture is important to keep your furniture looking beautiful year after year.

Follow these care tips to help prevent moisture or dryness from damaging your furniture:

• Avoid placing wood furniture in steamy bathrooms or laundry areas.
• Maintain a consistent temperature in your home, as dramatic temperate changes can affect humidity levels, which can create more moisture in the air.
• Don’t let your home get too dry. Excessively dry areas can cause your wood furniture to shrink, split or become brittle.
• Protect wood surfaces from direct contact with water by placing glass surfaces over tabletops or use coasters and natural fibre table cloth to protect your furniture from hot or wet surfaces.
• Never allow moisture to be trapped between the glass and a wood surface. Make sure surfaces are completely dry before the glass is replaced.

Have a dent, scratch or stain you can’t fix? Call Furniture Medic, find your nearest business here.