The Badminton chest holds the title of the world’s most expensive piece of furniture, with a price tag of $36.7 million. However, you don’t have to spend millions of dollars to have lovely furniture in your home. Taking good care of your modest furniture will make them look a lot more expensive than they are.
Wooden furniture is a beautiful addition to any home. It can add character and style, and it can last for many years with the right care. Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to take care of wood furniture so it lasts as long as they’d want it to.
If you belong in this category, worry not; we’re here to help. In today’s post, we’ll be discussing a couple of amazing tips for caring for wooden furniture. Follow these tips, and your wooden furniture will look like new for many years to come.
1. Dust your Furniture
Dusting furniture isn’t the most exciting chore on earth, but it’s something you have to do. Dusting your furniture helps keep it clean and look lovely.
Remember, airborne particles like dust and pollen can form a layer on your furniture. This layer may hold gritty particles that may scratch your furniture. Ugly scratches can ruin the aesthetic appeal of your furniture and ruin its resale value.
When dusting your furniture, only use a soft cloth, preferably a cotton T-shirt or microfiber cloth. Also, be sure to dampen the cloth before wiping the dust off your furniture. Dry dusting may lead to the scratches you’re trying to avoid.
2. Clean Your Furniture
Dusting the furniture is just one aspect of keeping your furniture clean. You should also clean them every now and then to get rid of dirt, fingerprints, and other marks.
When cleaning wooden furniture, you must take extra care. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals that may damage the wood or leave behind ugly streaks. Steer clear of all-purpose cleaners that will do more harm than good.
The best way to clean wooden furniture is with a mixture of water and vinegar. This natural solution will clean your furniture without damaging the wood. To make this cleaning solution, mix one part water with one part vinegar.
Use a soft cloth to apply the solution to your furniture. Wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid scratches. After cleaning, buff the furniture with a dry and soft cloth.
3. Use Coasters When Serving Drinks
Use coasters on your tables whenever you serve drinks, especially hot beverages.
Failure to do so will lead to the formation of ugly rings on the table. That’s because as these liquids spill over from your glass to the table, they penetrate the protective layer of your table and create these rings.
What’s more, don’t place hot utensils directly on your furniture, Instead, use a trivet and pot holder to prevent them from coming into direct contact with your furniture. This could lead to discoloration and sometimes cracks.
4. Keep Furniture Away From the Sun
Prolonged exposure to the sun is incredibly detrimental to your wood furniture. The sun’s UV rays can cause the wood to fade and create ugly blemishes.
To protect your wooden furniture from the sun’s harmful rays, keep it away from windows. If that’s not possible, then you can use drapes or blinds to filter the light.
You can also buy a UV-resistant spray and apply it to your furniture. This will create a protective barrier between the sun and your furniture.
5. Re-Oil Dry Wood
If your wooden furniture starts to look dry, it may be time to re-oil it. You can either buy wood oil from a hardware store or make some on your own.
To make a wooden furniture oil, mix one cup of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to your furniture using a soft cloth, and then buff it with a clean, dry cloth. This will help protect your wooden furniture from water damage and keep it looking shiny and new.
6. Re-Wax When Necessary
If your furniture has a protective wax layer, it’s your responsibility to rewax it when necessary. As your furniture ages, so does the wax layer. Failing to rewax your furniture only accelerates its aging process and makes it look dingy.
Before waxing, ensure you prepare the surface by scrubbing thoroughly with steel wool and using a soft cloth to remove the residue. After that, apply a coat of wax and spread it evenly on the surface with a sponge. Remember to use light pressure and always follow the grain.
Wax impregnation can also help keep termites at bay. If you’re hesitant about impregnating your furniture with wax, you can read this helpful article for tips on protecting your furniture from ants.
7. Get Rid of Stubborn Stains
Stubborn stains can be a huge eyesore on your precious furniture. Thankfully, you can get rid of the toughest stains with the right cleaning techniques. Here’s how you get rid of tough stains on your wooden furniture.
Identify the stain: The first step is to identify the stain you’re dealing with. If it’s an oil-based stain, then you’ll need to use a solvent to remove it. For water-based stains, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar.
Apply the cleaning solution: Once you’ve identified the type of stain, apply the appropriate cleaning solution to a clean and soft cloth.
Rub the stain away: Rub the cloth on the stained area in a circular motion until the stain starts to disappear.
Wipe the area dry: Once the stain is gone, wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.
8. Keep Your Furniture Smelling Fresh
Lastly, you want your furniture to smell fresh all the time to make the right impression on your guests. It’s normal for wooden furniture to develop a musky smell, especially if you store it for a while.
To keep your furniture smelling fresh, consider sprinkling baking soda on its surfaces. You can also try placing a tin of charcoal inside furniture like closets and cabinets. The charcoal will absorb any unpleasant smell coming from inside them.
Wooden Furniture Care Simplified
With the information above, caring for your wooden furniture should be a piece of cake. Remember, your efforts only count if you’re consistent with taking care of your furniture. Create a wood furniture care routine and keep your furniture in pristine condition for a lifetime.
Don’t forget to check out the other posts on the site for more informative content.
