Wood Furniture Care

Wooden furniture lends timeless beauty and class to any surroundings. Taking care of wood furniture ensures that it lasts a lifetime. Find out how to preserve your wooden furniture in all its grandeur.

Wood furniture care

Wood is porous and hence has the capacity to absorb and release moisture. Due to change in humidity, wooden furniture may expand as well as contract and this in turn may result in difficulty in closing the chest of drawers. Wood may also split or crack and termite threat is another common problem. In spite of all these problems, wood continues to retain its position as the number one medium for making furniture. With proper care and handling, wooden furniture can be a great one time investment and can be passed on to the next generation also.

Be it teak, rosewood, elm or birch, all types of wooden furniture require constant and adequate care. Wooden furniture has to be safeguarded from temperature extremes, direct sunlight, dust and moisture. Excessive dampness as well as dryness can damage wood. Exposure to direct sunlight may change the color of your furniture. Constant exposure to the sun can bleach and tan wooden furniture and affect the stain and paint on the surface.

Wood furniture care tips

• Do not place wooden furniture in direct sunlight. Ensure that the furniture is not placed near fireplaces, heaters and radiators.
  
  
• It would be ideal if you can control the humidity in your house with the help of humidifiers and air conditioners, as fluctuations in humidity may expand and contract the wooden furniture.
  
  
• Do not store your wooden furniture in damp basement, attics and garages.
  
  
• Use coasters and high quality mats to protect your wooden table from spills, stains and damage from hot dishes.
  
  
• Take care that water does not spill from your flower vase on to the wooden surface. In case of any accidental spills, wipe it off immediately with a soft, cotton cloth or super absorbent paper towels.
  
  
• Be careful when you are storing nail polish, polish removers, alcohol, etc on your wooden dressing table.
  
  
• Regular dusting is a must. In fact, dusting is best done using a mildly damp cloth.
  
  
• The type of finishing on the wood and not the wood itself determines the cleansing routine. It is better to check out the type of finish the furniture has before buying it. Finishes may vary from soft to hard to painted.
  
  
• Do not polish more than 3-4 times a year, depending on the type of surface finish of your furniture. Also take care not to use too much polish as it may result in a cloudy film atop the wooden surface.
  
  
• Do not use any multi purpose cleaner available in your neighborhood store. Various types of polish and wax are available for different surfaces.
  
  
• The best way to protect wooden furniture is by applying paste wax. Oiling may seem to be an easy option but in the long run you will find that the oil coated surface attracts more dust and are easily scratch-prone. Paste was is also acts as a concealer to cover small cracks.
  
  
• When dusting, take care that all the objects atop the wooden surface are lifted. Do not slide any of the objects as this may scratch the surface.
  
  
• Do not drag wooden furniture, as dragging may weaken the legs; it is safer to lift them. Check the furniture thoroughly for any loose joints, cracks, etc before shifting them to prevent further damage.
  
  
• It is better to lift furniture at its strongest point. Like for example, lift a table by its leg rather that the top. Catch hold of the seat of a chair to lift it instead of its arms. Be gentle when you are opening and closing lids, doors and drawers.