Caring For Your Wood Furniture By Lillian Esquival At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Wood furniture adds to the overall ambience and beauty of the inside of your home. Somehow, wood furniture never seems to go out of style and many people pass their precious wood furniture as heirlooms to the younger generation. The lasting value and durability of wood furniture is dependant, to some extent, on the care and maintenance you bestow upon it. Some need special care and maintenance, while the rest is easy to clean. Following a simple cleaning regime helps you keep your wooden furniture in great shape! A little polish and lots of buffing will keep your wood furniture going for a long time. Who knows, someday your children will be glad to inherit that polished and gleaming set of furniture!

The wood finish determines the kind of caring and maintenance it requires. Whether the finish is soft (oiled) or hard such as oil varnish or polyurethane, each type of finish requires some specific amount of special care. While buying new wood furniture, check at the store about the finish, so you'll know what type of cleaning or maintenance is needed. If you are unaware of the finish, you can test it to determine the type. For example, pick a spot that is not noticeable, so you do not end up leaving any marks post the test. Pour a few drops of linseed oil and rub gently over the wood. If easily absorbed in, then it is an oil finish and you could stop testing at this time. If it beads up, it is a hard finish, which means you continue with the test. Next, apply a few small drops of denatured alcohol to the wood. If the finish is shellac, it will dissolve quickly. But if it is varnish, the reaction will be much slower. Once you have determined the finish on your wooden furniture, you can select the correct polish and cleaner for its maintenance.

Do not mix or use different polishes for your wood furniture. Polishing too often or applying too much of polish at one time will lead to a cloudy, filmy build up that detracts from the look and feel of the wood. Polishing every 3 months will keep your wood furniture shining and in good condition for years to come. Avoid using a wet cloth or mop as you may end up staining or damaging your wooden furniture. Dust your wooden furniture regularly with a soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner (with a dust brush attachment) Placing hot objects directly on your wooden furniture can discolor the finish or leave permanent marks, hence, the use of coasters, place mats or any other protective material would help. Different environment types such as extreme sunlight, heat, cold or excessive damp or dry, may also end up damaging your wood furniture, ensure you shield windows with curtains or use humidifiers or de-humidifiers as required, to combat the ravages of extreme climatic conditions.

Proper care and maintenance for your wood furniture ensures its longevity. Not only is it a lifetime asset, it also adds warmth to your home and provides a very antique look to your decor.

Therefore, following a simple cleaning and maintenance routine, will keep the shine on your wood furniture for ages to come!

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