Having antique furniture in your home is not like owning any other type of furniture, as it needs special care and attention to help keep it in good condition. This means that you need to have the right knowledge of what products you can use on it in order to show it off in its best light without causing irreparable damage.
In this article, we have put together some essential tips to help you take the very best care of your antique furniture, so read on to find out how…
Cleaning antique wood furniture
As antique furniture is used, it is likely to suffer from a build-up of dust or grime, but you should resist the urge to use modern spray polishes on them to get them clean as these can cause significant damage to the surface.
Instead, it is recommended that you use a good quality natural beeswax on any antique wood furniture, as this helps to bring out the colour and the grain of the wood and give it an added layer of protection.
You will simply need to add a small amount of the beeswax polish to a soft, clean, lint free cloth and rub it in the direction of the grain until you see the wax on the surface start to shine.
This will help to evaporate any solvent and clean the original finish, so, if possible, try and leave the wax on overnight. This gives it the opportunity to fully nourish the wood. If the wood furniture has become particularly dry, the wax is likely to soak in quicker and may need to be reapplied a few times.
Removing upholstery stains
If you have stains on antique upholstery, then try to act as quickly as possible to absorb as much liquid as possible using a kitchen towel, but do not apply heat or larger amounts of water as this can do more harm than good and may even set the stain permanently.
You may need to use a gentle detergent or cleaning solution, but this will depend on the kind of fabric that you are dealing with. Some, such as leather, will have their own specialist cleaning products that will care for the fabric in the right way.
You should be careful not to use anything harsh and to scrub very gently in circular motions to lift the stain out without damaging the fibres of the fabric. Some solutions will require them to be wiped or rinsed away after use, so make sure that you follow the instructions carefully.
Cleaning a stain from antique upholstery can be done in gradual stages to avoid doing anything too harsh, but you should make sure that you do not let the stain dry out between stages.
Drying upholstery is also a delicate task, as it can lead to shrinkage or fading, so it is best to leave it to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.
Cleaning brass handles on antique furniture
If your antique furniture has brass handles or mounts, then you need to clean them with care. Do not polish them using metal cleaners, as this can damage the wood that surrounds them. It is therefore advisable to give them a light waxing using a fine wire wool to gently clean off any dirt that has built up. You should also make sure that you dust them regularly to prevent them from becoming dull.
If your brass has a gold finish or gilded bronze, then you need to be delicate with it and not polish it too vigorously. The acid from our skin can damage this finish, so it is important to avoid handling it too much. Instead, make sure that you dust it gently with a soft brush.
Preventing antique furniture damage
Keeping your antique furniture clean and cared for is one of the most effective ways of protecting it from damage. You should make sure that you wax any wooden antique furniture regularly, as this helps to protect and nourish the wood. It is also important to make sure that you dust it regularly in-between waxing in order to help a hard wax skin to form and protect the surface even further.
Where upholstery is concerned, you should be vacuuming regularly to prevent a build up of dust, pests as stubborn hairs. If these have managed to embed themselves in the fabric, then sticky tape can be effective at lifting them back out. It can be worth investing in covers for you upholstery to try and prevent wear or stains, as old and fragile cloth can be particularly vulnerable.
It is important to remember that how and where you keep your antique furniture can have a big impact on its condition. Direct sunlight can fade the colour of furniture, and its heat can cause cracking, or the lifting of veneers. Central heating can be responsible for drying out wood, whilst humidity can lead to issues such as mould and mildew.
If you want to move your antique furniture, then this needs to be done with great care. Ensure that there are enough people to lift it, or that you have dedicated tools to help with the job. You should avoid putting the weight of the furniture through any of the joints and you should consider covering corners or vulnerable areas as you move it in order to protect them.
Your antique furniture can last many different life-times if it is properly looked after, so you need to make sure that you care for it in the right way. You should always check what products are suitable for the materials that you have and consider the age of the piece before attempting to clean or treat it.
If you are unsure in any way, then you should seek the help of a professional, who can ensure that any cleaning or repairs are conducted in the right way. Your antique furniture can then take pride of place to be enjoyed for many more years.
Get in touch
If your antique furniture is need of urgent care, browse our antique furniture restoration services. Looking for furniture restoration and upholstery? Our team can handle both commercial and domestic furniture repair. Contact our team today!
