It goes without saying that when you look at Antique furniture, the way it is designed can really blow your mind. These sorts of furniture have an endless beauty and classic touch which only enhances as time goes by. These prized possessions have a look and feel that cannot be matched in today’s times. Antique furniture uplifts the area where it is placed in the most beautiful and simplest manner. There is an elegance and majestic feel to the look of such furniture.
Just as how beautiful they appear to be, the care that has to be taken to retain their original beauty and look is equally important. As much as people think that it is hard work caring for antique furniture, there are a few simple things that can be done which will give you a professional finish.
Here are a few tips that can help keep your prized possession in top shape
- While choosing the cloth to clean your furniture, make sure that you choose the soft cloth. It would be advisable to get different colors so that you know which one to use for dusting, polishing or buffing.
- For furniture that has ornate carving or delicate designs, you can use different sized, soft bristle, paint brushes; this will help clean the hard to reach places and the small gaps that are present in the design. Do not use these brushes for anything else.
- Lime Juice is really beneficial to clean antique wood; this is because the acid content in lemon is perfect to break down the adhesive from gum, tape and various other sources. When you use lime juice, you can be sure that it will not damage the finish or the furniture in any way.
- To protect and prevent odor from building up, you can place small bags of baking soda or cat litter material to absorb the odor properly.
- Just in case there is a brass element on your furniture, you can clean it with any household cleaning products in the house. You can make a mixture by combining salt, vinegar and flour, use this mixture on the brass portion and wipe it off with a soft cloth. The results of this mixture will thrill and surprise you.
- Never use water and soap regularly while cleaning the stains from the wood, although this is an option that is fine once in a blue moon. Use a dry cloth for cleaning on a regular basis to prevent stains and scratches.
- If you’re using sand paper then make sure that you do not make the surface uneven. Use it just to take out the moisture stain, then clean it immediately with your cleaning product and apply varnish.
- When you are choosing the furniture polish brand, it is advisable if you first consult with a professional on what kind of polish will be best for the furniture you have. You need to ensure that you choose a polish that will not hurt or harm the wax.
- While moving your furniture, make sure you take the necessary care to prevent it from getting damaged. Also check for damaged or loose joinery if you are moving chairs around. Always make sure you carry it from the seat and not the backrest or arms. While moving tables around, carry it from the legs, use an apron, and make sure you do not drag it.
- Make sure that your furniture is not in a place where there is direct sunlight. Always avoid placing it near windows, heating vents or air conditioning, stoves or fireplaces. Also avoid keeping it very close to the walls.
- Get it professionally polished and cleaned at least once in a year. This will help to keep the furniture looking as good as new and maintain its original look and feel.
- Make sure that the humidity levels are accurate. Else, it can result in the formation of mold and rust, which could eventually become a breeding ground for insects. This can damage the wood and will spoil the entire look of the furniture. If you are not aware about the temperature, you can consult a professional or specialist who knows about antique furniture.
