Wooden Furniture Care

With proper care wooden furniture can be made to last for the decades to come. It is true that the majority of antiques are wooden. Conservationists from museums and libraries have developed proven methods for caring for furniture made from wood. The main consensus seems to be that as organic matter wood is particularly sensitive to humidity, strong light, and other conditions. Since wood is porous it tends to absorb water and too much or too little in the surrounding environment will affect the condition of the furniture. The other main cause of damage to wooden furniture is poor handling and moving accidents. To optimize the sale of wholesale wooden furniture be sure to care for and store it in a safe place.

Environment

Areas that are subject to sudden environmental shifts such as garages, basements, or attics are not ideal for storing wooden furniture. Water spills will create lightened spots on the surface of the furniture. One of the most harmful long term sources of damage for wooden furniture is the light itself. Over exposure to a bright blue light can cause permanent damage that usually resembles bleaching. With this in mind it is not a good idea to place wooden pieces directly in front of harsh light sources. Another factor when dealing with wooden items is the possibility of insect infestation which is indicated by porous holes. 

Cleaning

Wooden furniture does not need a lot of strong cleaning solutions but rather a stable environment. The best way to clean a piece of wooden furniture is by dusting it with a cloth. If the surface of the wood is particularly dirty for some reason then it can be gently cleaned by using a solution of soap and water. Contrary to popular belief many products meant for cleaning wood furniture can cause damage or a waxy build up. Feather dusters and hot items can cause damage to the surface of the finish either by scratching it or literally melting it away. That is also why coasters are recommended for beverages.

Polishing

There is dissenting information available in regards to furniture polish and many restoration houses do not even use it at all. The most common mistake people make when polishing wooden furniture is using too much polish. Use these products sparingly and never combine two such as wax or polish. Make sure that the piece has been thoroughly cleaned and dried beforehand. It is acceptable to polish newer wooden furniture about once per year. However seek professional assistance for antiques and other more fragile pieces. Most of the time all it really needs is a dusting with a soft piece of cloth.   

Hardware

Occasionally a piece of furniture's hardware can grow dingy and clouded so that it is necessary to clean them. Professional conservators recommend removing hardware before it is polished because the harsh chemicals used to clean metal can deteriorate the surrounding wood. Again keep in mind that improper technique when polishing could result in permanent damage to the surface of the hardware. The Smithsonian Institute recommends cleaning hardware in a 50/50 solution of acetone and alcohol and a soft bristled brush before polishing it lightly with a jeweller's micro-polish and a fine cloth.

Handling

When moving wooden furniture it is best always to lift and never to drag. Dragging a piece of furniture puts enormous physical stress on its construction. Be sure to lift from the strongest point of the object. For example on a chair the seat is the strongest point, not the legs or back. The sturdiest part of a table is the apron between the legs and top. Before moving the furniture determine the starting and ending point and clear a path. Do not wear gloves because it may cause the piece to slip from your hands. Never hurry and do not attempt to move a heavy piece alone which may harm you and the furniture.