Taking good care of your furniture is much easier than most people think and when done properly, your quality wood furniture will be enjoyed by generations to come.
To maximize the life of your fine pieces, be proactive. Sometimes it’s tough to follow all of these guidelines but it’s definitely worth a try. Avoid Most Advertised Polishes
Don’t use Pledge! Most furniture polishes you pick up from the supermarket have silicone in them. ​They may look great but over time, this material creates a slick surface tension and will eventually have a blotchy appearance, leaving smudge marks when handled. House cleaners love to use the stuff because it makes all your furniture shiny and they think that makes you happy. Have a conversation with your house cleaner and be sure they you know what they are using on your fine pieces.​
Use This Instead
No Extreme Changes in Temperatures or Humidity
Be conscious of drastic changes in temperature or humidity that can quickly cause damage to your furniture. Avoid damp or humid areas and do not use storage facilities that are not temperature and humidity controlled.
​ Lift, Don’t Drag
This one might seem obvious at first, but there’s a few things that don’t come right to mind. Small scratches are bound to happen over time from normal use but why not avoid this as much as possible by always lifting objects instead of dragging them across your furniture’s surface. You should also be using protective pads to protect your furniture from plastics, warm items, vases, etc. Also, it’s very helpful rotate any accessories you have on furniture surfaces so they are not sitting in one spot all the time.
​ Blot, Don’t Wipe
Let’s be honest, no matter what you do, accidents will happen. Clean up spills immediately and don’t wipe liquids across the surface of your furniture. Instead, get an absorbent cloth and use a blotting action. Liquids left over a long period of time will probably damage the finish, so you’re working against the clock here. Also remember that alcohol, perfumes, nail polishes, etc. may cause severe damage and will most likely need professional attention, but minimizing the damage is always worth it.
​ Dust Regularly
Maybe we should’ve mentioned this one first… Use a clean, soft cloth and always dust in the direction of the grain. Dampening (not wetting) the cloth can help you cling on to any surface dust. Microfiber cloths are also great as they hang on to the dust instead of just moving it across the surface. Don’t forget to dust every nook and cranny, even the places you can’t see. Dust can accumulate in hidden areas, and really have an effect on air quality. This is specifically important in bedrooms, so grab a step-stool or ladder and clean the top, hidden parts of your wardrobes and cabinets.
HINT: Line the tops of your wardrobes and cabinets with parchment paper or newspaper. It won’t be visible and after dust accumulates, you can just cover it with a new layer and fold the corners towards the middle. Throw it away and replace. Easy! ​ Get in Touch with a Professional
Contact your local furniture refinisher. Sometimes, it’s helpful to apply a polish or wax once or twice a year and they can help you figure out what the best polish is for your specific finish.
Our Favorite Products
Comments
We are very proud to serve our Angie's List clients and look forward to many more years of great service! “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Antiques & Furniture Restoration earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.” After being listed on Angie's List for only 5 year we have received 288 reviews, the largest number for any Furniture Refinisher in the Washington, DC Angie's List. For perspective, the next refinishing business has 166 reviews, and has been listed on Angie's List for much longer. Of our 288 reviews, 250+ are an A+. Thank you for your patronage! Check out another feature Angie's List did on our business: Furniture Refinisher Works 'MIRACLES' Renewing Heirloom
About Angie's ListAngie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between nearly 3 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly-rated service providers in 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of authentic reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals. About Antiques & Furniture Restoration, Inc.Antiques & Furniture Restoration was founded in 1991 in New York City by Yasser Haridi. When Yasser started a family he moved his business to the DC area and it quickly became the area's premier commercial and residential fine furniture restorer. For more information, visit Antiques & Furniture Restoration's website at Refinishing.org, or call 703-437-7446. |
Follow UsBlogAntiques & Furniture Restoration has been providing the highest quality furniture refinishing, upholstery and repair services available to the Washington area for over 25 years. ArchivesCategories |