Wood furniture is always classic and is found in every home. But it can get frustrating to maintain and clean. Wood tends to show dirt that can’t be removed with a duster.
Dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing are some of the methods used to maintain wood furniture. When searching for a dusting tool for cleaning wood furniture, choose something that dust will cling to such as dry, soft cloths and feather dusters that effectively remove dust from wood furniture.
How to Clean Wood Furniture
Never use all-purpose cleaning sprays like the kinds used on kitchen tables. Avoid cleaning wood with water as well. To do this, dip a lint-free cloth in mild soap or detergent dissolved in water, make the cloth nearly dry, and wipe the area. Rinse and immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Making the surface more slippery with oil polishes, cleaners, and furniture oils protects wooden surfaces. Most commercial spray and liquid furniture polishes contain silicone oil, which can provide some well needed protection. Keep in mind that cleaners with a high percentage of oil will show fingerprints. Be aware that the residues can interfere with refinishing and may need professional attention if you have used wood sprays and polishes in the past.
Try this homemade recipe for cleaning wood -
- Revive grimy wood furniture by mixing equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine, and strained lemon juice.
- Apply with a soft cloth and buff with a clean cloth.
TIPS TO MAINTAIN WOODEN FURNITURE
Here are a few tips that you could use to make sure your wooden furniture lasts long -
Wooden furniture, with its warm vintage charm elevates the ambiance of your home. It is for this very reason that one must give its maintenance extra care and attention. But it’s extremely important to know what helps and what does not.
- Dust well
A sparkling piece of furniture makes for a sleek and modern room. Make sure you use a soft, dry cotton cloth to wipe any dust off. There is nothing like cleaning your sofas and tables on a bi-monthly basis.
- Minimal exposure to sunlight
Be careful about exposing wooden furniture to sunlight for a prolonged time. It results in a phenomenon called ‘spotting’ where bright and dark spots appear across the cross section. On a wooden table, you could use tablecloth to effectively ensure that this phenomenon of spotting doesn’t take place.
- Temperature control
Avoid using extremely hot and cold objects on wooden furniture for better maintenance. They tend to leave an impression and distort the texture of the surface.
- Age with grace
Furniture ages with time so give it time to age gracefully. Just like wine, it may acquire new character of its own in the years to come. Some wood may lighten, and some may darken as time passes by.
- Oil and Wax Regularly
Oiling and waxing wood is highly recommended to give it a shiny varnish. It also adds a protective layer, a coating on the surface giving it a sleek and timeless appearance. So, wax regularly.
