8 Tips to Properly Care for Solid Wood Furniture
Over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in demand for solid wood furniture. People are looking for quality and longevity and are willing to pay for it. A solid wood piece can last generations if properly cared for. Note these are tips on how to properly care for your solid wood pieces:
1. Clean with warm water and a mild detergent.
Keep dust and grime off your furniture by giving it a good clean every few months. You can use a mild dish detergent and a non-abrasive cloth to give your piece a wipe down. Don’t scrub too hard as you don’t want to scratch the furniture!
2. Be careful what polish you use.
People often use polishes to make their pieces shine, but the polish you are using may be ruining your furniture. Many polishes contain wax or silicone that can react with your topcoat causing discoloration or it can leave a build-up making your piece look grimy over time. We suggest using polishes that are free of waxes or silicones, the supplier should note this on the bottle.
3. Monitor the climate.
Wood can expand and contract with the varying humidity levels through the seasons. This can have a major impact on your furniture and can cause irreversible damage. Wood can swell in high humidity causing it to warp as well as shrink in low humidity can cause it to crack. Typically, you want to maintain your humidity in about a 30% – 45% range. You can either add a humidifier system to your furnace, which will be expensive, or you can purchase a humidifier/dehumidifier for a particular room.
4. Avoid using chemicals.
Chemicals such as nail polish remover can react with the furniture’s topcoat leaving marks that can only be fixed if the piece is sanded and top coated.
5. Use hot plates.
This is particularly important for tables and buffets. If hot items are placed directly on the surface, they can leave rings that can only be removed if the table is sanded and top coated.
6. Be careful of sunlight.
Sunlight isn’t a friend to solid wood furniture. Wood can darken or be bleached the longer it sits in the sun. The same can be true if you regularly keep things on your table, such as a centerpiece. The area that is covered doesn’t “age” the same as the rest of the piece so you’ll likely see a difference in color over the table.
7. Use coasters or mats.
Standing water left on a surface can cause unsightly rings as moisture can get trapped under the topcoat. This is also true for drinks with a high citrus content. If a citrus drink is spilled and left sitting it can leave markings.
8. Cover your furniture when being heavily used.
Some people prefer to cover their furniture when it is frequently used or when having a party as it helps minimize wear and tear. This is purely a preference as other people love the character their furniture gets from frequent use.
Solid wood furniture is a great way to invest in your home and by following the tips above you and your family will be able to enjoy your furniture for years to come! If you are interested in purchasing solid wood furniture for you home stop by our store in Allen Park to see our selection. We offer over 10,000 square feet of solid wood bedroom, dining, and living room furniture from a variety of Amish builders and other solid wood manufactures such as John Thomas and Durham Furniture.
