There’s a reason that solid wood furniture can be handed down from one generation to the next for decades and decades, never losing any of that luster that it had when it was first crafted.
Wood is inherently strong, stable, and resistant to all the daily abuse that we put our furniture through without even realizing it.
Sure, some pieces of furniture (especially those that are particularly old and particularly loved) shows signs of damage here and there – but with a little bit of effort and the slightest amount of cleaning you should be able to keep your wooden furniture looking better than brand new for decades to come.
Use the tips and tricks that we are able to share with you below to make sure your furniture is always in the best condition and you won’t have anything to worry about! You’ll be able to pass down all of your beautiful furniture to future generations with each piece looking as though it just came off the showroom floor!
Clean and polish your furniture at least once every six months or so
While you’ll want to be sure that you take the time to clean your furniture whenever it needs it (and if your wooden furniture is seeing daily use the odds are good that a weekly scrub down with soap and warm water is well worth it), a once-every-six-months deep clean and polish will make sure that the wooden pieces you have look fantastic forever.
Start off with a bit of warm water – warm, not hot – and then add a bit of dish soap. Scrub gently with a damp cloth to lift dirt and debris, and then take the time to really dry your furniture. From there, apply a furniture polish while following the directions on the bottle to really bring out the luster while adding an extra layer of protection to your pieces.
Cover up areas that will see the most usage
If you’re looking to protect and take care of your wooden furniture that sees a lot of daily use – tables and chairs, for example – you’ll need to do everything you can to manage the daily abuse they are going to see.
For the most part this is possible by simply covering the wooden surface itself with something like a cloth or a pillow, but from time to time you may need to take even more drastic measures. There are furniture covers that slip over pieces to provide a buffer zone against dents, dings, and damage as well as all the spills you could imagine.
If you’re protecting a delicate or antique piece, that’s the route to take!
Do your best to control your climate
Because wood was a living material (and in some ways continues to exhibit those characteristics for decades after it’s been cut and finished) you have to account for the changes that humidity and weather are going to have on the wood itself.
There’s a reason that wooden furniture is joined together with expansion and shifting space built right in, and this is why. Moisture levels, heat and humidity, and all kinds of other climate elements can cause the wood in your furniture to swell, to shrink, or to buckle – and all of that will ruin the wood and the piece itself.
Invest in a dehumidifier or a humidifier, control the temps in your home as best you can, and make sure that you store your wooden furniture smartly when you aren’t using it for longer periods of time.
Fight back against pests
At the end of the day, you’re not only going to have to fight back against Mother Nature when it comes to protecting your wooden furniture, but you’re also going to have to fight back against biological attacks as well.
Termites and carpenter ants are going to want to eat as much of your wooden furniture as possible. Mold and bacteria would love nothing more than to settle into your furniture and chew it away from the inside out.
And fire?
Well, we don’t have to tell you how dangerous fire can be to wooden furniture that has had plenty of time to dry out or that has been finished with flammable chemicals.
You’ll always want to stay vigilant while you protect your wooden furniture from these kinds of attacks. It isn’t going to be easy, but there are plenty of benefits in keeping bugs and other pests away from your home that have nothing to do with your wooden furniture, so it’s added incentive to keep an eye peeled for these kinds of headache and hassles. If you think your furniture is at risk, you might want to consider getting extended warranty for it from Fairsurance.
To ensure the safety and longevity of your wooden furniture, it is crucial to protect it from fire hazards and potential insect infestations. By remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions, you can safeguard your furniture and enjoy the added benefits of keeping pests out of your home. If you feel your furniture is at risk, consider obtaining extended warranty coverage from Fairsurance. With these tips and a touch of common sense, your wooden furniture will thrive worry-free.
Leave a Reply