Tips to Preserve the Look of Your Wood Furniture

Hello World!  Today I've got some tips to help preserve the look of your wood furniture. 

Wood furniture is beautiful and lends a natural warm tone to your home's décor. However, wood requires some care to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips to help you preserve your wood furniture.

Finish

The type of finish your furniture has will have a direct bearing on the level of care necessary and its ability to withstand wear and damage. Unfinished wood or wood that's finished with oil are the most vulnerable to destruction and require a higher level of maintenance. You can either purchase wood furniture that's finished with polyurethane or you can refinish your existing wood furniture to provide maximum protection and easier care.

Cleaning

Older or oil-finished furniture can be cleaned with a soft cloth and then finished with a coat of furniture oil; lemon oil is one of the better choices. Oils shouldn't be used on new or varnished furniture, it will just leave a greasy build up that won't benefit the piece. Furniture that's finished with polyurethane or other kinds of varnish should be dusted first to get rid of grit that can leave scratches and then polished with a commercial polish. Painted wood furniture that's free from scratches in the surface of the paint can be wiped clean with a slightly dampened cloth.

Protection from the Elements

Even indoor furniture needs protection from the elements, especially from sun damage. Ultraviolet rays streaming in through windows and skylights can cause fading, cracking and other damage to your wood finish that can penetrate below the surface and permanently disfigure your furnishings. Never expose wood furniture to direct sunlight. 

Humidity and moisture are other factors that can cause irreparable damage to your wood. Atmospheric humidity indoors is usually not severe enough to cause damage, so as long as you maintain even temperature and humidity control in your home year round, no special precautions are necessary. However, climate control factors like heating and air conditioning can cause damage. Never place wood furniture directly in front of or under heating and cooling vents.

Dining tables are one piece of wood furniture that sees a lot of use and has a higher potential for damage from heat, moisture and scratches. Dining room table pads are a great way to help protect your table's surface. They're designed to match the finish of your table and a quality supplier will customize them to provide the proper fit for ultimate protection without sacrificing style.

Thanks for popping in for a visit!  Have a great day and remember to be kind to one another!  

Joy to the Full!

Toodles,
Kathryn

***The Dedicated House was compensated for this review.***