How to Care for your Antique Furniture

To Prevent Damage to your Antique Furniture

• Use a humidifier during the cold winter and a dehumidifier in the damp summer
• Don’t place your antique furniture in the attic or basement.
• Don’t place your antique furniture near heating vents or near fireplaces
• Try and keep them from direct sun light
• Be careful how you handle your antique furniture remember that it is old and you need to take special care when picking it up or opening the drawers etc:

If your finish needs to be cleaned up:

•  Restore a Finish to clean the piece of furniture and Bees Wax to apply to the piece of furniture afterwards is two good products to use. It is made by Howard.  http://howardproducts.com.

For Daily/Weekly/Monthly Cleaning:

• For daily cleaning: Just dust with a clean cloth.
• For weekly cleaning: Once a week apply the Orange Oil to your piece of furniture, let it stand a couple of minutes and then wipe all the excess oil off the piece of furniture.
• For monthly cleaning: Use a good paste wax and then polish with a clean soft cloth.
• To Remove a waxy build up, apply varasol with a clean cotton cloth.

Is it ok to refinish a piece of antique furniture:

Our feeling is that if the piece is 100 years old, just clean it up.

If the piece needs repairs then I would have it repaired,if for no other reason then to have it last another 100 years.
If it is under 100 years old we feel it is ok to have it refinished especially if the piece is craving or ala gatered and needs refinishing in fact by refinishing the piece you add value to it.

Article Submitted by: Anything Old Antiques and Collectibles