Wooden furniture is common in the home and you want to make sure they are durable and easy to maintain. But the real trick to making your furniture really last is to take care of it and maintain it properly. Here are some guidelines for caring for your wooden furniture so that it looks like new for a long time!

 

Clean regularly

To keep your wooden furniture in good condition, regular cleaning is essential. The last thing you want is a layer of dust or stains forming on the surface of your furniture. Regular cleaning will help you to keep your furniture looking clean at all times. Regardless of the type of wood, avoid using too much water and make sure you wipe your furniture with a soft cloth (such as a T-shirt or microfibre cloth) and some mild washing-up liquid to remove dust and stains and keep your wooden furniture looking great.

 

Occasional deep cleaning

While regular cleaning is essential, you should not forget the importance of occasional deep cleaning. Deep cleaning will ensure that your wooden furniture lasts longer and retains its shine. Stubborn stains can be removed using a mild soap and water mixture, but don't forget to wipe with a damp cloth.

 

Keep out of the sun

Even if wooden furniture is made of solid wood, sunlight and hot conditions can wreak havoc on wooden furniture. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially UV rays, can cause bright spots and dark spots to form on the surface of the wood. Therefore avoid placing furniture near any windows that expose it directly to the sun.

 

Use with care

Gentleness and more care are one of the best ways to care for and maintain wooden furniture. Minor defects and damage to wooden furniture are often the results of careless handling. Careful use will help you to keep your furniture in the best possible condition. Firstly, keep the temperature not too far apart. Too much cold can create permanent white spots on the wood, while too much heat can cause the table to expand. Secondly, keep sharp objects away from the furniture to avoid scratches on it. Covering the surface of the furniture with a tablecloth or a custom-made glass piece will minimise damage to the item.

 

Moving wooden furniture

When you need to move wooden furniture you must move it like a bookcase and please measure carefully the size of each doorway you will pass through. This is because trying to go through doorways that are too small can scratch the furniture and it can be difficult to erase the marks of the scratches.

Another thing you can do to prevent scratching your furniture is to place several layers of paper towels around the edges. They will act as a buffer between the furniture and the other edges.

 

Repairing scratches

If you accidentally get scratches on your wooden furniture, don't worry, there are ways to treat them.

For minor scratches, apply a diluted mixture of water and alcohol with a damp rag and then use a commercially available scratch remover. A tinted polish can also be used to make your furniture look like the scratches never happened.

For deeper scratches, you can use wax or wood to fill in. This requires glue, however, and wax is more likely to form scratches.

 

Disinfect regularly

Wood is a natural material and as such wooden furniture is susceptible to insect infestation. So make sure you disinfect wooden furniture regularly! Wood beetles and termites can cause irreversible damage.

 

Eliminating odours

Have you ever noticed a distinct odour when you open your wooden furniture? Due to environmental conditions and humidity, odours are something you can't avoid. But you can get rid of the odour by simply putting some coffee beans or a bowl of bleach inside.

 

Regular polishing

Wooden furniture will dry out over time and lose its original lustre. If you want to restore the lustre, all you need to do is re-oil or re-polish. First, clean the surface with a towel and then apply a generous amount of furniture polish. Allow the furniture to soak up all the oil for at least 15 minutes. Once the furniture is completely dry, apply a small amount of wood polish to the entire surface area of the furniture. Allow the furniture to sit for about half an hour to allow the polish to be fully absorbed.

 

Keeping wood furniture maintained is not difficult. As long as you clean and maintain regularly, keep your furniture away from water and avoid scratches, your wooden furniture will look great for years and decades to come.

Are you interested in learning more about maintaining wooden furniture? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!