There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the look and feel of genuine wood furniture. In addition to being perennially attractive, common furniture-making woods like oak, maple, hickory, walnut, mahogany, and teak are stout, sturdy, and durable—provided you take proper care of them.
Here are a handful of tips that will help you protect your prized wood furnishings from deterioration and extend your time enjoying them in the process.
Use Coasters
Remember how your mom used to scold you for putting drinks down on the coffee table without a coaster? Well, your mom was onto something.
As ice-cold beverages begin to warm, the difference in temperature causes them to “sweat” or form beads of condensed moisture. Dripping condensation can leave behind unsightly rings of discoloration on wood surfaces or even cause them to swell and eventually split.
As a way to avoid these unfortunate (and not cheaply reparable) outcomes, your best bet is to invest in a dedicated set of coasters. Go with a material like sandstone, cork, unglazed ceramic, or neoprene that will soak up rogue liquids and keep them from coming into contact with the surrounding wood.
Dust Your Furniture Regularly
Dust doesn’t just aggravate allergies and call into question your skills as a housekeeper—if not removed promptly, it can severely damage wood furniture.
Dust is composed of microscopic particles of skin, hair, clothing fibers, soil, pollen, living and dead organisms, and in some cases, bits of plastic, wood, metal, and glass. The softer of these substances combine to form a filmy residue that can rob wooden surfaces of their luster. The harder ones can create hundreds or even thousands of tiny scratches when they’re allowed to accumulate on wood surfaces.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of dusting your wood furniture at least once or twice a month. Use a damp microfiber cloth or soft cotton hand towel to pick up as much dust as possible without being too rough on the wood.
Polish Heavily Used Pieces as Needed
Generally speaking, wood furniture doesn’t require much in the way of cleaning and polishing, which is just another of its many charms. That said, an occasional once-over with an all-natural wood polish or furniture wax can help preserve a piece’s original finish and keep the wood beneath strong, supple, and vibrant.
Here’s how to achieve dazzling results in just a few minutes:
Use a clean, dry, nonabrasive cloth to apply a conservative amount of polish or wax to the piece you want to pep up. Then, work the product into the wood using smooth, circular motions. When you’re satisfied with your coverage, grab a clean, dry, nonabrasive cloth and wipe off any excess product.
You can repeat this process as many times as it takes to get a nice even coat. Whatever you do, though, don’t skip that last step—it’s essential for preventing spots and streaks.
Minimize Environmental Stressors
Everybody loves a bright, sunshiny day. Over time, however, sunlight can bleach wood, leaving it with a dull, dehydrated, uneven appearance. Similarly, heat causes wood to expand, potentially leading to warping, cracking, and shrinkage.
Therefore, intense light and extreme temperatures are two things from which you want to keep your wood furniture off-limits.
If at all possible, situate genuine wood pieces away from uncovered windows, patio doors, skylights, and other areas where they may be directly exposed to UV rays. While you’re at it, make sure you’re not positioning them too close to fireplaces, wall or floor vents, or hot-running appliances.
Revitalize Aging Furniture by Restoring the Finish
Just because a particular piece is beginning to show signs of deterioration doesn’t mean it can’t continue providing comfort and stylish utility for many more years to come.
Many homeowners are eager to get rid of wood furniture when the finish begins to fade, even though the underlying material is still in excellent condition. More often than not, a simple refinishing is all it takes to get wood furniture looking as good as new again.
While it’s possible to refinish furniture yourself using DIY methods, it’s a pretty involved project, and there are lots of ways it can go awry. We recommend leaving this job to a professional.
The experienced craftsmen at One Man & A Toolbox have the skills and know-how needed to breathe new life into classic pieces without risking further damage. Give us a call today and see for yourself what a difference the right touch can make.
