We all know that wood furniture can sometimes be somewhat tricky to take care of. Sometimes, it may even seem impossible. Between the various oils, buffing agents, polishers, stains, and waxes, many people feel lost on how to take care of their furniture. Regardless of this, the cost of caring for most wooden furniture is greatly outweighed by the fact that it never goes out of style and fits in with almost any décor. To help make this time-consuming and stressful activity a bit easier, here are the four best tips and tricks for caring for wood furniture.
Clean With Soap and Water
In most circumstances, a damp washcloth and diluted dish soap are the only cleaning agents you will need to ensure your furniture is adequately clean. If you leave any part of the furniture damp, it may warp as it absorbs the water into the wood. It is essential that when doing this, you utilize a clean washcloth for drying the soap from the surface of the wood.
Polish Furniture After Cleaning
It is worth noting that every time you clean wooden furniture with soap and water, a small amount of the polishing agent will come off. As such, reapplying a small amount of polish should be the step immediately following the cleaning. In some cases, polish can help protect the wood while making it look nice and shiny. It is worth noting that any polish with alcohol in it is not meant for wood furniture, as the alcohol will degrade and damage the wood.
Use Coasters
Using coasters is one of the easier ways to ensure that your furniture’s lifespan is up to par with your expectations. If you do not use coasters, you allow condensation to drip down your glass and absorb into the surface of the wood. This, in turn, causes a lot of warping and discoloration. If you do not want to splurge on coasters, you can always go to a tile store and pick up some samples that you can use for coasters.
Use Fabrics for Hot Dishes
On the same note as utilizing coasters for liquids, using a potholder or other thick fabric for your hot dishes should always be emphasized. In general, one can expect that if a hot plate makes contact with a wood surface for enough time, it could discolor the wood (or even burn it). This is most applicable in dining room furniture, as most often, these tables are subjected to large numbers of hot surfaces.
Wood furniture can often be finicky to take care of, but if you follow these great tips, you can be confident that you are treating your furniture well. If you have enjoyed these tips and tricks for caring for wood furniture, make sure to share them with your friends and relatives!