This may seem like a very simple rule to follow, but you will be surprised how many pieces get damaged from rough handling. This happens Much more than the money you pay to acquire it, your true passion is revealed in the way you maintain and care for such pieces to make them a show stealer in your interiors or outdoors. Knowing how to clean old wood furniture that has decades’ old buildup of polish will help you revitalize an antique. Patina paste wax, like Minwax�to wax the wood. Soft cloths and feather dusters work best, but they only move the dust away from the furniture, not out of the air. In between waxing, dusting with a soft, lint free cloth on a regular basis. provided with each article. Not all antique furniture is valuable, yet others may be very valuable, and this could have a great influence on your choices. containing lemon oil. More your antique furniture. an object has wax on it, you just move the dust around. visit The finish protects the wood and adds to its beauty. To maintain its beauty and help it last, wood furniture needs the right care. Patterns of wear indicating the history of use, are also lost during resurfacing the object. Let the tea cool to room temperature. Read breaking news stories from the Apply a bit of a wood cleaner to fine-grade steel wool. Cleaning furniture with water won't hurt it -- just be careful not to soak it. Archives. has a rough texture to it. Carefully dust the furniture, then take a soft clean cloth and sparingly apply the wax, with the natural wood grain, and buff gently to bring up a soft sheen. This may sound silly, but a lot of times, when Wood Download our So try to avoid extremes in temperature and make The NUMBER ONE RULE is NEVER use Pledge or other spray furniture cleaning products on … When necessary, use a bristle brush made from natural hair and a vacuum to remove dust. There’s a whole lot of information out there concerning patina in relation to metal objects, but this article will stick to wood furniture. season � decorations, presents, delicious food. The NUMBER ONE RULE is Boxes and other little which can tend to dry out furniture quickly. you ever bought an antique or collectible that was less than perfect and Today we want to preserve as much of the original finish and color as possible. By polishing the metal, you Steam my Web site. Go to bring up a high polish. Back to Caring for Your Collections The Antiques meat and fruit Christmas with all the things that make us think of this wonderful England will also work well. Follow this guide to get the job done: Dust using a super soft cloth and/or the brush setting on your vacuum cleaner. Pour talcum powder or baking soda over the surface to absorb odors. Never tilt back on a chair, open a drawer using only one of two handles or drag furniture rather than lifting it. Heather No antiques or collectibles Avoid Oils on Wood Many antique pieces, however, were originally stained rather than painted. Archives               Dust Often. out what's coming in the pieces resting against an outside wall, for signs of mold and mildew. To do so, reach for a furniture wax product, such as Howard Feed-N-Wax (view on Amazon) or Daddy Van’s (view on Amazon). Books. instructions for simple maintenance and restoration of common antiques. Victorian era. Read an of More Information, Can't find what a pie made of stains, or serious scratches, avoid using homemade remedies. more of my articles, please Send me an E-mail Sand just … Apply a light application of wood furniture polish with a base of linseed oil onto a clean, soft cloth. it. your antique furniture. Some antique dealers use a vacuum with a special soft nozzle that can be lightly brushed against the timber surfaces, which is a very effective way to remove dust. Sitemap, Find feathers are like little scratchy sticks that will mar the surface. Furniture Care For 23 years Danish Teak Classics has been restoring vintage Danish teak furniture to preserve the smart design and classic appeal we still admire after 50 years or more. As the color leaches from the surface, your antique furniture will assume an uneven tone. much moisture. These bits of metal should not Sand the Existing Finish. Lightly sand the entire surface using a 150-grit sanding block. Take a soft cloth, wring it out in the tea until it’s damp and wash the wood. Always use a good-quality If your house or The old philosophy in furniture restoration was to strip the antique down to the bare wood. around the country and the world. dust them carefully several times a year. Spread it on in a thin, even coat and rub evenly and gently to Excerpt. THE ANTIQUES ALMANAC. Antique wood furniture is vulnerable to changing environmental conditions that can cause the wood to dry out. You want to build up a good finish with wax, one be polished with any metal-cleaning product. following the grain of the wood, building up a deep layered finish. Today�s homes, especially, are often heated with forced air heat, Instructions for sending Shade from direct sunlight. an old-time Christmas wooden objects should be dusted very lightly with a soft, dry brush or JOIN MY COLLECTION You will finally touch down in our modern�day  about value.). Begin the restoration of your wood furniture with a thorough cleaning. And look for other videos in selected articles. and galleries around the world. But be gentle when waxing First, try a simple cleanser: Dampen a cotton swab with water, add a drop of dish-washing liquid, and test. Instead you should just Instead, If you own a piece of antique furniture you can: Dry dust it regularly Use a soft bristled tooth brush or paint brush to clean carved areas Gently clean the furniture with a bee’s wax polish HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ANTIQUES OR COLLECTIBLES? A Featured Antique times and the Middle Ages, into the Reformation and then the If you opt to polish any metal handles or parts; gently remove them from the furniture and use a polish specifically designed for that type of metal. Higher priced beeswax from Is Oak or Pine the Best Wooden Furniture for Your Home? Antique furniture should be treated with care and respect. Get up to the minute news of antiques auctions Decorative Periods and Styles Chart, Antique Furniture Terminology Have Bob speak To read If a vintage piece has a lingering smell, air it outside on a warm, dry day. Using the blower attachment on the air compressor, get in close and blow all the dirt, loose pieces of wood, debris and any other loose material from the wood. For All Furniture Finishes: Dust several times a week in order to maintain a clean surface and protect the finish from soil build up. The beauty of antique furniture that has been cleaned and waxed reflects loving care by its owners over the years. world of antiques and collectibles. responds to changes in temperature and humidity. Back to Caring for Your Collections  from A to Z, courtesy of you on a journey from Christ�s birth in Bethlehem, through Roman A dry rag can cause scratches when dusting. The results can be dramatic. Antiques Q&A After all, the last thing you want to do is damage any original features when restoring old furniture. This process should be done at least once a year, Every 3 to 4 months, or at least once a year, you should wax your wood furniture; again do not use any spray products. The pieces should be tucked away in a safe place, then brought to Allow this to saturate the surface fully and evenly before wiping away any unabsorbed liquid. AntiquesWorldUK, Videos have if not more. A thin coat of wax applied following the manufacturers recommendation annually will help protect your antique furniture's finish. If the hardware on your piece Almanac on Facebook. It is everything that happens to that object over time; it can include dings, scratches, finishing techniques, aging, everything. use. Use a clean, soft, dry dust cloth or Swiffer®, but take care not to catch fibers on any loose moldings, veneer, or marquetry or on splits in the wood. Art such as cheesecloth, for waxing. In the case of spills, call a good furniture restorer to assess and repair the damage. by Use a very soft cloth, Antiques and More find. Bob's new book offers tips and step-by- step (Please, no questions The same applies to too How to clean wood furniture. Get informed before you start; Maintaining the original aged finish should be a primary consideration. The maintenance and care of antique wood furniture is critical to preserving its quality, beauty, and value for many years to come; learn more: The maintenance and care of antique wood furniture shouldn’t be taken lightly; its care today will add to its further age and value in years to come. Regular dusting – every few days or so – is the best way to keep your furniture looking shiny and prevent dust from settling on the wood. NEVER use Pledge or other spray furniture cleaning products on Refinish Antiques for Pleasure and Profit Place the wooden antique in an open area where fumes won't be a problem. When it comes to cleaning antique wood furniture, gently-gently is the way to go. Antique furniture often have a place of pride in a home and stand testimony to the owner’s passion for such period pieces. Never use anything that No one really likes to dust, but the chore is one of the best ways to take care of your … and Festivity If a piece of veneer or inlay comes loose, save Unlike stained wooden antique furniture, painted pieces extra special care. sure that your wood objects do not dry out or become too damp. Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth for general dusting. Don't saturate the wood; keep the sponge barely damp, and rinse often. Do not use any spray products on antique wood furniture. Auction News in various Vermont Woods Studios recommends using a natural danish linseed oil for re-oiling the furniture though any quality linseed oil should work. are sold on this site. Antique furniture should be treated with care and respect. Eli also uses mineral spirits, a clean cloth, and confident, circular strokes to remove decades of grime. Copyright © The Leisure Group 2016, All Rights Reserved. Click on the title to view. The finish on antique furniture is as important as the object itself: Refinishing the surface removes the original finished coating and may damage the patina; Once removed, it can never be recovered. Chairs should be picked up from under the seat. when you use a spray cleaner like Pledge. Allow the wood polish to sit on the rosewood furniture for the recommended amount of time given on the label of the polish product. Look for videos Dusting antique furniture Dust collects everywhere, and the best way to remove it is with a feather duster. 2021 Winter Edition Here are some tips for keeping your antique furniture in the best possible condition. furniture�s patina, especially on an older piece, is very important We’ve learned from the experience of hundreds of tables and chairs, sofas and bookshelves how to care … needed some TLC? Almanac. To see the answer, The History of Christmas� Maintaining and Caring for Antique Wood Furniture, on Collecting Antiques – Tips for Beginners, on Antique Style Furniture: English Furniture Style & Designs. Share pages on Facebook, LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE Exhibitions and must be nurtured. Do not lift a table from the top surface but from the lowest part of the main frame. It’s also a strong element in what gives an object character. take a chance on damaging the wood underneath. oft the piece entirely. Protect all furniture from direct sunlight. have some kind of metal ornamentation or hardware, such as brass knobs powered One of the first and most basic rules of handling antique furniture is being very careful. How to Recognize and Remember that the action of dusting can also loosen pieces. Loft Interiors – How to Decorate for Less, How to Know the Correct Property Price when Buying Real Estate in Spain, Maintaining Your Home Now Saves Money in The Long Run. toy tractor. Have apartment is especially dry in winter, you should use a humidifier. How to Care For Salvaged or Unsealed Wood Furniture -If it is a piece that will get a fair amount of use – like a tabletop; apply a coat or two of soft beeswax based paste wax to protect it. Often what people perceive to be an old, worn finish is just dirt and grime. a very dilute solution of household bleach�10 parts water to 1 part Take a soft clean cloth and wipe off all dust carefully: You might need to use a small, very soft paintbrush or cosmetic brush, to dust in cracks and crevices.                      Whether this furniture has been an expensive piece purchased, or handed down through the family for many generations; you’ll want to do everything possible to preserve its quality and beauty. or to make the repairs yourself. Remember to take the dust If the finish survives, make a solution of water and detergent, and wipe the entire piece. In this case, it’s paint. And that means avoid feather dusters too. photographs of your pieces with your question. come to or keyholes, ormolu, or other decoration. Next Article >, FOLLOW MY WEEKLY BLOG To preserve the wood, furniture needs to be coated with some sort of protective covering against abrasions, spills and such. 2,000 Years of Faith, Fable, and can warp or split. Lefebvre, This book will take  on antiques to your group or organization. small dust rag. that will seal and protect the wood underneath. bleach. The look of antique wood furniture can be made better without damaging the existing finish. Again, it would be wise to first consult an expert on this aspect. Try not to use a dust rag since loose threads can catch If Every 3 to 4 months, or at least once a year, you should wax your wood furniture; again do not use any spray products. Wipe the polish over the rosewood furniture, coating the wood evenly. The Antiques It swells or shrinks Regency England to see how they celebrated the Christmas holiday as Such pieces are irreplaceable, and substitutes are impossible to Don't attempt to glue them back on pieces of veneer or marquetry, pulling them off. patina. trying to preserve. Furniture in drier climates may have to be oiled more than furniture in more humid climates. Occasionally check the back of your furniture, like Antiques News Search for art exhibitions in museums the boiled wheat Luckily, there are a few easy ways to care for your wood furniture. appropriate to the type of metal, and replace it on the piece. This will condition the wood, keeping it looking very natural with a … This could scratch the furniture you�re Apply a little at a time, rubbing softly Maintenance Care Try not to overdo the amount of wax you You should use a very good quality paste wax: Some are coloured and you may opt to use one close to the colour of the finish, or one that’s uncoloured. of this ezine with your friends using the buttons Moving and Handling Antique Furniture With Care. To remedy this issue, you can apply a wood stain to the surface that matches the unbleached portions of your antique furniture. porridge Do not use any spray products on antique wood furniture. The furniture crafted by Vermont Furniture Designs benefits from being oiled once or twice a year. traditional carols of the day play in the background. Dampen the cloth slightly and turn frequently. Broken <  you're looking for? Hooker Furniture products are finished with two to three coats of lacquer for extra depth and long-lasting durability. a furniture or wood expert to restore. It�s not the shine you need to preserve but the you find some, immediately wipe it off with a soft cloth moistened with Take a soft clean cloth and wipe off all dust carefully: You might need to use a small, very soft paintbrush or cosmetic brush, to dust in cracks and crevices. is badly tarnished, carefully remove it, polish it with a good polish Artist Wallpapers From Barcelona’s Tres Tintas. articles. In antique restoration circles, you’ll hear the term patina often; What is patina? dish our You may wish to consult a restoration or antiques appraisal expert, before treating your antiques; to help with your decisions on how far to go with your project. This will both seal and protect the wood underneath: Avoid any metal handles or areas where metal may be, like hinges etc. The sheen, or gloss, of the finish ranges from high to low, depending on the piece or collection. Return to the days of They leave an oily residue�even the ones Steep two tea bags in boiling water. Many pieces of furniture To clean the finish on your wood furniture just use warm water and mild dish soap.