| Antique furniture is most definitely an asset. Anyone | | | | then polish it with furniture wax once every couple |
| owning a piece of antique furniture may be able to | | | | of months. Applying a thin coat will encourage it to |
| command thousand for that one individual item of | | | | shine without causing a wax build up. |
| furniture, which is why more and more individuals are | | | | Step Two: Protecting The Wood |
| choosing to invest in it at the moment. Of course | | | | Cleaning antique furniture can damage the wood if it |
| value and worth all depend on a number of factors | | | | is not done correctly so make sure that you protect |
| that are associated with the furniture itself. | | | | it at all times. For example, mop up any spillages |
| The type of word, design, style and the era in which | | | | immediately and never rest anything on it directly |
| it was made are just a few of those factors. | | | | that could possibly scratch it. If you spill water, simply |
| However, you can do something to preserve your | | | | wiping it off immediately would protect the wood but |
| investment by cleaning antique furniture correctly and | | | | solvents should be treated with care. Cleaning antique |
| at the right intervals. This is therefore your quick | | | | furniture in this instance would require dabbing the |
| three-step guide to cleaning antique furniture. | | | | stain with a soft cloth until all of the solvent has been |
| Step One: Avoiding Dust Degradation. | | | | removed. Wiping it away would cause more damage. |
| When cleaning antique furniture, ensure that it | | | | Also, protect your wood by ensuring that it never |
| becomes part of your regular routine quickly so that | | | | stands in the glare of direct sunlight. This can |
| you do not neglect it in any way. You should always | | | | discolour it and cause it to fade, and no amount of |
| dust it every few days, once a week at the very | | | | cleaning antique furniture will be able to solve that |
| least. You should never use any kind of dusting | | | | problem. |
| device though, lest it scratch it. A soft cloth is | | | | Step Three: Optimum Environmental Factors |
| perfect for this purpose. Do not use any sprays of | | | | Always make sure that your home provides the |
| any kind on it and that includes regular furniture polish | | | | optimum environment for your pieces. Cleaning |
| because the chemicals that are used in those | | | | antique furniture is all well and good but will not be |
| formulas to repel dust and grime can actually damage | | | | able to protect it against the elements. Ensure that |
| your investment by staining the wood or causing | | | | your house is a constant temperatureall year round. |
| weak spots. Cleaning antique furniture should be | | | | If that means investing in a humidifier then so be it. It |
| about preserving it rather than adding to the wear | | | | is worth that little bit extra to protect your own |
| and tear! | | | | larger investment. This will stabilise the air and make |
| There are certain polishes that you can use when | | | | sure that cleaning antique furniture will have the |
| cleaning antique furniture. Orange oil is good for | | | | desired effect of preservation throughout the years. |
| cleaning antique furniture once a week. You should | | | | |