1. Do not mistreat your furniture
Always place coasters when setting glasses or mugs on wooden tables and never place hot food directly on them without the protection of a trivet. Adopt the use of decorative placemats or a tablecloth to protect your dining room table from food and drink spills.
2. Avoid Environmental Damage
Don’t place your valuable furniture in front of uncovered windows, vents or fireplaces, as the sunlight and heat can damage and fade the wood.
3. Dust Often
Airborne particles can build a filmy layer on wood that scratches the surface. Frequent dusting keeps this buildup from happening. Always use microfiber or other soft cloths to dust to avoid damage.
4. Protect Your Wood
Ensure not to use too much of commercial polishes and sprays as they contain either petroleum distillates or silicone oil for a fresh and shiny finish, and to offer some protection for your wood. These products because can cause buildup that combines with dirt to create a dull, sticky film. Always be sure to buff well when using products to help avoid this buildup.
5. Treat Wear and Tear
If your wood furniture sustain injuries. For minor dents and scratches use a product like Old English Scratch Cover. This liquid polish hides abrasions, restoring the wood’s inherent beauty.
If damage is too extensive to be treated with polishes you may need to resort to. Painting the furniture.
6. Re-Oil Dry Wood
If furniture has been stored and becomes overly dry, you may need to re-oil it.
7. Re-Wax as Needed
Depending on the finish, some furniture may have a wax protective coating. As these pieces age it may be necessary to re-wax the surface for continued protection.
8. Keep Wood Smelling Fresh
Older pieces develop an unpleasant odor, especially if they’ve been stored. You can sprinkle the surface with baking soda to freshen it up, and place a pan of charcoal inside drawers to absorb smells that emanate from inside.
9. Remove Tough Stains
Sometimes, the inevitable happens and your beautiful wood furniture gets stained. No matter what kind of stain you have, be sure to clean it as quickly as possible because the longer it sits, the harder it will be to remove.
