Caring 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 – Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the colour of the wood to fade over time, resulting in patchy areas on the furniture where only certain sides are exposed. Sunlight can also damage the finish of the wood causing a “crackled” appearance. If possible, keep your furniture away from direct sunlight. If not possible, ensure furniture is rotated to allow the colour to fade evenly. The colour can then be restored using finishing products.Cleaning – Solid wood furniture should not be wet-cleaned. Water causes the grain of the wood to swell and can stain or warp the timbers. Always dust using a clean, dry or very lightly dampened cloth (a few sprinkles Syma s107 upgrade of water will help dust stick to the cloth), following the grain of Wholesale Air Swimmers the wood in a gentle oval motion. Beware of using silicone based cleaning products such as Mr Sheen on bare, oiled or waxed furniture as this can cause the wood to dry out and can cause staining.Finishing – There is a whole host of finishes available providing a huge array of options. If your furniture was supplied with a wax or oil finish already applied, it is usually best to re-apply the same finish coat every 3-6 months to ensure the wood is protected at all times. For varnished or lacquer finishes, reapply as required, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Bare or unfinished furniture should always be given a finishing coat before use to preserve the face of the timber and stop the wood from drying out.Moving Furniture – Be careful to lift items such as lamps or angry bird vases carefully rather than sliding them to avoid scratching the surface of your furniture. When moving a piece of furniture, again lift the item rather than sliding as this can cause damage to the floor and cause Air Swimmers the legs of the item to chip or split. If a piece is particularly heavy, get someone to help lift it rather than dragging the item. Ensure drawers and shelves are not overloaded as this is a sure way to loose-fitting drawer fronts, doors and runners.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.