How To Care For Hardwood Furniture- writedeal.com

Jun 9th 10 Posted by James Rockford in Blogging

How To Care For Hardwood Furniture

Damage to your hardwood furniture can arise in many different ways from physical scratches and knocks to water and food stains, even damage through sunlight. There are many ways in which to care for the hardwood furniture in your home and in this article we hope to provide you with a number of ways in which to keep your furniture looking its best.

Humidity – Perhaps the most damaging factor to hardwood furniture is the changes in humidity in the home. Changes in moisture can cause wood grain to expand and contract. This is perfectly natural and provided the changes in humidity occur gradually will have little effect on the furniture. Problems start to occur when changes are sudden, resulting in cracked joints and boards, sticking doors and drawers. An ideal situation would be to keep your home at a constant temperature and humidity using air conditioners and dehumidifiers, however this is rarely practicable. A far more practical way of controlling humidity is to ensure your central heating or air-conditioning is set to maintain a constant temperature using a thermostat.

Sunlight – Another frequent cause of damage to hardwood furniture is sunlight. Leaving your furniture in direct sunlight can cause a great deal of damage. The light can cause the finish to crack and the timber to bleach. Particularly strong sunlight can even cause timbers to crack and split as they dry out. Position your furniture away from direct sunlight, using curtains and blinds or large plants to block the direct light if necessary.

Cleaning of hardwood furniture should be performed carefully. Ensure that any spills are cleaned up immediately using a dry cloth where possible. When dusting, always use a clean, dry cloth, wiping along the direction of the grain in a light oval motion. Use a specially developed furniture polish and be wary of using a silicone based polish which can dry out the timber.

Furniture with an oil or waxed finish should be re-finished every three to six months depending on how often the piece is used. For a varnished or lacquered finish, re-finish as required, referring to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Always use the correct product for the job and consult application instructions before commencing. Unfinished furniture should ideally be given the finish of your choice before use to protect the wood from moisture.

Objects placed on top of furniture should be moved carefully, always being careful to lift the item rather than sliding as this will cause scratches to the surface finish. Avoid over-filling drawers and cupboards as this can damage the drawers, shelves and doors of the piece, often working them loose and causing a poor fit. Heavy pieces of furniture should always be moved by at least two people, again ensuring the item is lifted off the floor to avoid damage to the floor and legs of the piece.

The furniture you buy for your home is a major investment and solid hardwood furniture, with a little looking after, will become a prized heirloom which will be passed on for generations. We hope this article has provided a good insight into caring for your home furnishings. If in any doubt when performing any work in the home always consult a professional.

The author, James Rockford writes regularly for furniture sites such as Walnut Veneer Furniture. James is crazy about DIY, interior design and furniture and also writes regularly for great sites like Jali Furniture amongst others.