Wooden Furniture Care Tips

21 April 2010- This is a known fact that if wood furniture has to be given a long life, their proper care must be taken. Daily dusting and cleaning is needed but not sufficient for proper wood furniture care. Wood is affected by environment such as humidity, temperature and light. The following furniture care tips will help understanding how to take care of wooden furniture.

Furniture Care Tips for Saving Wood from Heat

Heat, especially sun rays (UV rays) affect wooden furniture badly. Not only the wood finish cracks due to sun rays but they also affect wood by going deep resulting into hairline splits and more wider cracks on wooden furniture surface. It is therefore advisable to keep these wood furniture away from sun as far as possible. If any furniture piece has to be placed beside windows from where direct sunrays enter, care should be taken for proper arrangement of curtains, blinds, shades, or UV window protection. Outdoor wooden furniture, when not in use, can be kept covered with heat resistant protective cover to avoid destruction caused by direct sunlight.

Furniture Care Tips for Saving Wood from Humidity & Temperature

Sun rays lead to dryness and cause wood to crack. On the other hand, moisture is absorbed by wood and leads to swelling of wooden furniture. It might seem an exaggerated statement but wood is safe in a temperature in which a human being feels comfortable. The following tips will save your wooden furniture from extreme climate conditions.

• Do not place wood furniture directly in front of ventilation outlets in your house.
• Try to keep the inner atmosphere of house at an optimum temperature and humidity level. If necessary, use heating systems or air conditioners. Using temperature control systems have some drawbacks too so do not let them make the atmosphere too cold or too hot.
• When the windows are open, do not let water come into your rooms so that moisture could not damage your wooden furniture.

Furniture Care Tips for Wood Finish

Know what type of wood finish does your wooden furniture has. This will let you know the technique of polishing needed for them.

• If your wooden furniture has an oil finish, dust it smoothly and re-apply oil.
• If you think that the wood finish has begun showing age, polish furniture with lemon oil.
• If going for refinishing your wooden furniture, consider lacquers as they provide maximum protection against damage from cold glasses (even without coaster) as well as warm dishes like plates or beverage cups. However, take care not to place any hot thing on finished wood furniture without the use of coasters or placemats.
• When using solvents like alcohol, nail polish remover, perfume, cologne, or any other toxic chemical, take care to save your wooden furniture. They can remove finish instantly. Take care so that they do not spill over your wooden furniture.

Furniture Care Tips for Wood Polishing

Try to polish your wood furniture twice a month ( if not possible, at least make it once in a month). However, avoid using such polish that contains silicone, ammonia or alcohol as they can permanently damage your wood furniture surface. Rather try to use homemade polish by mixing one part lemon oil with three parts olive oil. For regular cleaning of wooden furniture, use a mild soap like diluted mixture of hand soap and water.