Hardwood furniture looks great in any room of the home but its look can be damaged in many ways. Scratches, moisture, spills and sunlight can all cause damage to your furniture and there are a great number of ways in which to combat the effects of these factors.
Moisture - The most frequent cause of damage to hardwood furniture is from moisture in the air. More specifically it is changes in the relative humidity of the room in which furniture is stored which causes the damage. As the humidity rises, the grain of the wood expands. If the rise in humidity is too quick, the wood can expand too quickly causing joints to become loose and cracks to appear. Try to keep your home at a near constant temperature to keep the humidity consistent.
Sunlight - Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the colour of the wood to fade over time, resulting in patchy areas on the furniture where only certain sides are exposed. Sunlight can also damage the finish of the wood causing a "crackled" appearance. If possible, keep your furniture away from direct sunlight. If not possible, ensure furniture is rotated to allow the colour to fade evenly. The colour can then be restored using finishing products.
Cleaning - Cleaning hardwood furniture is simple provided you adhere to one rule: No water! All spills should be cleaned up immediately using a clean dry cloth. For stubborn food spills, use a lightly dampened but not wet cloth. When dusting, again use a clean dry cloth or apply a specially developed furniture polish, avoiding silicone based polishes where possible as these can dry the wood.
Furniture with an oil or waxed finish should be re-finished every three to six months depending on how often the piece is used. For a varnished or lacquered finish, re-finish as required, referring to the manufacturer's guidelines. Always use the correct product for the job and consult application instructions before commencing. Unfinished furniture should ideally be given the finish of your choice before use to protect the wood from moisture.
Moving Furniture - Be careful to lift items such as lamps or vases carefully rather than sliding them to avoid scratching the surface of your furniture. When moving a piece of furniture, again lift the item rather than sliding as this can cause damage to the floor and cause the legs of the item to chip or split. If a piece is particularly heavy, get someone to help lift it rather than dragging the item. Ensure drawers and shelves are not overloaded as this is a sure way to loose-fitting drawer fronts, doors and runners.
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.
This article was brought to you by James Rockford, who is a regular author for prestigious sites such as Sheesham Furniture. James has a love for furniture and home decor and also writes regularly for great sites like Furniture Discounts amongst others.
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