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Of course, most furniture surfaces are made of wood, either solid wood or wood veneers. The finishes may vary from soft oil finishes to hard finishes including opaque painted finishes and clear finishes, lacquer, shellac, varnish or those containing polyurethane for added strength.
It's important you know the type of finish in your wood furniture in order to properly care for it. Remember that it's the finish you are cleaning, not the wood itself. |
Protect the Wood from Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight dries out the wood and also fades its rich luster. Do not place a piece of real wood furniture in front of a window that receives a lot of direct sunlight. In the alternative, protect the wood during the brightest time of the day with a cloth. |
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Polish the Wood
Opt for a wood polish that contains lemon oil; apply it to a soft cloth, and rub it onto the wood in the direction of the grain. Avoid waxes, since these simply build up on the wood and eventually dull its shine. Moreover, do not use a polish that contains alcohol, since this is a known drying agent that makes the wood brittle instead of nourishing it. Apply polish at least once a month. |
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Scratches
Whether you place photo frames, decorations, knickknacks or serving dishes onto the wood, make sure you protect the surface from scratches. Home decor sections at hardware stores and even the grocery stores sell felt disks that may be discretely placed on the bottom of any item you place onto the wood. This felt protects the wood from scratches as you move the items to dust. |
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Safeguard Dining Room Furniture
A wood dining table greatly adds to the beauty of the room. Protect its surface by placing dishes on cloth place mats. Hot or refrigerated serving dishes should be kept on hot pads or trivets to protect the wood from the sudden intense heat or coldness of the item. Keep felt-backed coasters handy for glasses; this prevents unsightly watermarks on the table. Clean up any food or drink spills immediately to prevent the substances from causing damage to the table's surface or discoloring the finish. |
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Taking care of temperature and humidity
Good coasters are a must when it comes to using wooden furniture for a long time and it is as simple as that. Glasses and containers that are too hot or too cold, discolors the surface and any moisture that is left behind will eat away into the surface. Temperature and moisture are essential for managing wooden furnishings and unless they are kept at a constant value, it is hard to expect the furniture to look good and last long. Wood expands absorbing moisture and over a period of time excess humidity will lead to cracks. |
Dust, Dust, Dust
Dust several times a week in order to maintain a clean surface and protect the finish from soil build up. Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth for general dusting. |
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Sunlight
Protect all wooden furniture from direct sunlight. Exposure to the sun's rays can dry out the wood and actually bleach out the color. |
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Humidity
Wood breathes almost like we do, and therefore, both extremely moist or dry air should be avoided. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier when needed to help keep wood from drying out or warping. Also, don't place your wood furniture near air vents; the forced air will adversely affect the wood. |
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Surface Protection
Cover the bottoms of accessories and other tabletop items with felt to prevent scratching. Use coasters under glasses to prevent water marks. Never let water stand on a wood surface, and always use a protective plate under flower vases filled with water to keep moisture from drawing into the wood. |
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Yearly Maintenance
Wash your wood furniture surfaces once a year with a sudsy solution of mild soap and water. Using a clean, soft cloth from which most of the water has been wrung, work on a small area at a time, overlapping areas as you work. Clean with the sudsy solution, then rinse with a soap-free dampened cloth, and dry immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth. |
Choose the Right Finish
Lacquers, varnishes, shellacs, polyurethane/polyester finishes, as well as painted surfaces can all be protected with waxes or polishes. Select the wax or polish according to the level of gloss or sheen you desire. Do not mix products as a dull film may result. To remove an inappropriate wax or finish, clean the piece with cleaner-conditioner, then apply the appropriate finish protection. |
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Paste Wax
Paste waxes offer the best protection and with consecutive applications and a lot of buffing, provide a beautiful high gloss. Paste wax is recommended for fine antiques with a hard finish. It is available made from beeswax, a softer, more nourishing wax, and carnauba, a tougher, harder wax. Paste wax comes in various shades, from dark to light, to blend in with the tone of the wood. Clear waxes are also available for painted surfaces. |
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Liquid Polishes
Aerosol or liquid polishes which contain silicones offer high gloss with very little buffing, clean as well as shine and give the wood a durable protective finish. However, silicones are rather difficult to remove and, therefore, can complicate the process of refinishing in the future. They also tend to show finger smudges more readily and need more frequent applications to maintain the gloss, causing a heavier silicone buildup. |
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Satin-Gloss and Low-Gloss Finishes
Satin-gloss and low-gloss finishes are best achieved and maintained by the use of cream waxes or liquid cleaning polishes which do not contain silicones. Oil polishes can be used as well, but require more rubbing and attract dust quickly. |
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