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 – Another frequent cause of damage to hardwood furniture is sunlight. Leaving your furniture in direct sunlight can cause a great deal of damage. The light can cause the finish to crack and the timber to bleach. Particularly strong sunlight can even cause timbers to crack and split as they dry out. Position your furniture away from direct sunlight, using curtains and blinds or large plants to block the direct light if necessary.

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 of water will help dust stick to the cloth), following the grain of 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 – Anything placed on top of your furniture can cause scratches or marks. Always use a coaster and move items by lifting, not sliding to minimise scratching. If you need to move a piece of furniture, it is often tempting to slide it along the floor, especially if you’re not moving it far. Avoid sliding the item as it can cause damage to the floor and to the legs of the item. Instead, ensure two people are available to properly lift the item before moving.

Looking after your hardwood furniture is easy and if done properly will ensure your furniture will last a lifetime of use. We hope you have enjoyed this article and hope it has provided some useful tips for caring for your hardwood furniture.

If you enjoyed this article, and would like to find out more please visit Sheesham Furniture. This article was written by James Rockford, who is passionate about furniture and writes regularly for sites such as Jali Furniture amongst others.

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