7 Tips to Care for Your Antique Furniture

During your spring cleaning, don't forget to think about your antiques. In this month's column, we'll give you seven tips to help you care for your antique furniture.

1. Use paste wax

Every couple of months, wax with a good quality paste wax that can be found in any hardware store. If you wax too much, it can dull the finish and attract dust. To remove a waxy build up, apply varesol with a clean cotton cloth. Proper waxing will bring up the color and grain of the wood and protect it. Rub a small amount on a soft cloth and apply it in circular motions. Let it dry then buff with a clean cloth.

2. Don't use aerosol sprays

Avoid aerosol spray polishes because they can contain silicone oil and other agents that can be harmful to your furniture. For daily cleaning, use a clean cloth or a clean duster. For those who like to use something more, I recommend Orange Oil because it works well to clean and polish wood finishes. I like it because it doesn't leave a wax build up and doesn't contain linseed or silicone oil.

3. Use coasters

A great deal of surface damage can be prevented if you always remember to use coasters, mats and trivets and avoid placing hot and/or wet items directly on furniture.

4. Avoid scratching furniture

Never slide anything (vase, plate, serving dish etc) across a surface because it will scratch. A very light scratch can be treated with Restore-AFinish, a great multi-purpose product. Deep scratches require the skill of professional restorers.

5. Clean liquid spills

Spilled water should be thoroughly wiped up immediately. Alcohol and solvents (nail polish, nail polish remover, perfumes) should be dabbed, not wiped because they can act like a furniture stripper and damage the finish. White rings left from either a hot drink or a wet glass should be attended to right away. A little Brasso applied with a clean cloth may do the trick. Or, I have found that Restor-A-Finish works well to remove white rings. Always test on a small area first. Remove candle wax ? Wait for the wax to cool then gently loosen using a fingernail to remove.

6. Draw the drapes

Just as sun damage to the skin is cumulative and permanent, its effects on wood are just as destructive. Diffused sunlight over a long period of time can be as detrimental as direct sunlight over a short period of time. Sunlight can turn a clear finish yellow.The only good news about sun damage is that it's easy to avoid. Draw the drapes, pull the blinds or have an UV-filtering film applied to your windows.

7. Don't ignore relative humidity

Central heating is the worst thing to happen to antiques. A warm inside and cold outside makes life comfortable while wreaking havoc on antiques. It's the fluctuations in relative humidity that central heating creates which cause the problem. Wood responds to relative humidity by expanding and contracting as it tries to maintain a balance with its environment. It's not the rapid changes during the course of a day that cause the most damage. It's the long-term seasonal fluctuations, which cause the serious damage.

During the dry winter months when it is cold outside and warm inside, wood tends to shrink. During hot damp summers when it is warm outside and cooler inside, wood tends to expand. Long-term exposure to these conditions leads to cracking, warping and splitting.

To guard against the fluctuations in relative humidity in your home, use a humidifier during the cold winter and a dehumidifier in the damp summer. Think twice before putting a good piece of furniture in a basement, attic, near heating vents or near fireplaces. Keep fresh air circulating. Maintain a constant room temperature and turn it low at night.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has teachescourses on antiques. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com

---

Contemporary Grandfather Clocks

The name "grandfather clock" instantly conjures up images of a... Read More

Area Rugs - Accent Your Rooms with Area Rugs

One of the easiest ways to accent and decorate your... Read More

A Guide to Wedgwood China

It all came about due to a cry from English... Read More

Want a Beautiful Limestone Floor but Worried About The Maintenance? Read On

Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is chemically... Read More

A Guide to Wine Picnic Baskets

Wine picnic baskets are just the ticket for two, four,... Read More

About Pine Needle Baskets and How to Use Them in Your Home Decor

Have you ever had the pleasure of strolling through a... Read More

The Benefits of Wood-Pellet Stoves

Wood-pellet stoves were invented in the 1980's and have gained... Read More

Live in (French Country) Style

Parlez-vous Françes? Don't worry - you don't need to speak... Read More

Down Bedding Guide

Down, feathers, goose down, duck down, these can all be... Read More

The Benefits of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of... Read More

The Advantages of Wooden Wine Racks

Wood wine racks provide the best storage system for a... Read More

7 Tips to Care for Your Antique Furniture

During your spring cleaning, don't forget to think about your... Read More

Buying Custom Wood Blinds

Window and door blinds on windows and doors are chief... Read More

The Benefits of Adjustable Air Beds

Adjustable airbeds are adjustable beds for which the firmness of... Read More

Summers Unexpected Outdoor Candelabra

For picnic tables, decks, porches, patios, and sidewalks, decorators are... Read More

The Benefits of Laminate Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo, a grass once conjuring up images of Pandas and... Read More

Choosing Conservatory Furniture

Conservatories are such lovely and serene rooms that homeowners want... Read More

Tiffany Lamps - A Timeless Treasure

Among the varied accomplishments of it's inventor, the lamp was... Read More

A Guide to Kitchen Sinks

In any household, a kitchen sink is one of the... Read More

The Demand for Massage Therapy Chairs

Massage therapists are in high demand. Consumers recognize the physical... Read More

Buying Parsons Chairs - What You Need to Know

Parsons chairs are commonly seen in homes around the dining... Read More

How to Wash a Down Comforter

Few things are as comforting on a cold winter night... Read More

Candle Holders Add Flair To Your Home Decor!

Candle holders are an essential accessory for candles. The first... Read More

Embossed Votive Holder Shade

Create the look of a Stained Glass Votive HolderSupplies Needed:Most... Read More

Reasons to Consider a Professional Designer for Your Interior Decorating Project

When one is considering a new look for an existing... Read More

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come... Read More

An Upholstered Bench To Incorporate Style and Function

How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More

Home Interior Design Tips on Decorating your Space with Wall Art

How to Decorate your Space with Wall Pictures If a... Read More

The Benefits of Wicker Picnic Baskets

Wicker picnic baskets are a lovely, traditional way to pack... Read More

Dining Chair Slipcovers ? A Great Way to Impress Your Dinner Guests!

Planning a dinner party but worried what your guests will... Read More

Bar Stools & Counter Stools - Tips on How To Select the Right Style for Your Space

If you have a breakfast bar or wet bar in... Read More

Magic Carpet Ride?

There are hundreds of choices carpet choices out there! How... Read More

The Benefits of Vertical Wood Blinds

Wood vertical blinds, a style of wood blinds falling vertically... Read More