Hardwood Furniture

Every piece of wood furniture is as unique as the tree it came from; no two pieces will be identical because of the diverse and intricate grain patterns in natural wood. Color variations, knots, small pitted areas, mineral streaks, and other natural markings are all common in genuine wood furniture. There is no comparison between man-made material and the beautiful characteristics of natural wood.

There are two ways, however, that we can alter and enhance the look of natural wood. Wood that has been physically marked with a blunt instrument or with crayon and then spattered with stain is “distressed” giving it an aged appearance. A “dusty” effect is achieved by rubbing pumice or a similar medium into the wood pores. Take a look at the sections below for more on hard wood, a material with the durability and versatility to last a lifetime.

CARE
Wood exchanges moisture with the air, so shrinking and expanding occurs in response to changes in humidity. Dry air causes wood to loose moisture and shrink slightly – for example, halves of an extension table may gap and tiny openings may appear on the surface. This problem corrects itself as the humidity rises and moisture is absorbed by the wood. High humidity will cause the wood to absorb too much moisture and drawers may stick. This problem corrects itself as the moisture in the air drops. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers help the air from becoming too moist. Here are more tips for natural wood care:

• Keep relative humidity at 25-35% by using a humidifier in winter and an air conditioner in summer

• Avoid placing furniture directly in front of radiators, heating vents, or fireplaces

• Overexposure to sunlight can cause checking, crazing, cracking, and bleaching so place furniture out of direct sunlight or close window treatments during intense sunlight hours

• Avoid “spot” bleaching by occasionally rearranging accessories on wood surfaces that are exposed to sunlight

• To prevent warping, store table leaves flat, also, store them as close to the table as possible to expose them to the same humidity level as the table
  

CLEANING
Cleaning and polishing on a regular basis will help to extend the life of the finish of your hard wood furniture. Dust, dirt, and food particles left to build up on the surface of your furniture attracts contaminates that could accelerate the deterioration of the finish by weakening and softening it.

• Dust lightly as needed with a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth

• Good choices are cotton cloth, terry toweling, cotton knitwear, flannel cloths

• Always dust with the grain of the wood; small dust particles can scratch wood if they are worked
  against the grain

• Use a soft, damp cloth to clean surfaces

• Wring all water from the cloth leaving it only damp

• Wipe surfaces with another soft cloth to dry

• Never leave a damp cloth on wood furniture

• Always use a blotting action, not a wiping action, when cleaning up spills

• Polishes enrich the look of the wood

• Select a product that does not have silicone; silicone-based polishes can seep through the finish into
  the wood causing permanent damage over time; silicone-based polishes could also raise the sheen off
  the original finish and damage the wood

• Wax or cream polishes are recommended

• Carefully follow the directions for the product you choose

• Clean thoroughly after heavy use

• For example: it is a good idea to clean the wood furniture in your kitchen after extensive cooking
  because large amounts of dirt and dust may have settled on the wood.

• For older/antique furniture

• Use an oil-based cleaner (this helps to condition the wood as well)

MAINTAINING
Protect your hardwood furniture by following these tips to minimize everyday damage.

• Use coasters to prevent stains and damage from spills and hot dishes (blot all liquids immediately)

• wood coasters with felt or cork underneath and an absorbent material to rest the glass on are the best choice

• metal coasters tend to sweat and plastic could cause a chemical reaction with the wood or melt into the finish

• Use padding under heavy or sharp objects or hot or cold foods

• felt or cloth is recommended; plastic products could cause a chemical reaction when placed in contact with some wood finishes, also, some plastics and rubbers can melt into the finish leaving residue and softening the finish

• plastic table cloths and doilies should be avoided

• Keep solvents, alcohol, nail polish and polish removers away from your furniture surfaces

• Always lift lamps and other objects when dusting instead of sliding them across the furniture’s surface

• Always lift furniture to move it, avoid dragging

• Open and close drawers gently and don’t allow them to hang open

• door hinges are sometimes small and delicate, so any improper stress will cause doors not to close properly

• also, pull drawers out straight to help eliminate pressure on the glide preventing it from becoming loose or bent

• As houses settle, furniture can sit unevenly resulting in uneven doors or wobbly chairs

• newer products have adjustable glides to counter any leveling problems

• Touch up small marks and scratches with shoe polish, crayon, linseed oil, or a furniture touch-up pencil

• refer to a professional to repair severely damaged surfaces

 

Furniture buyer's guide

Maked a Selection... Hardwood Furniture Leather Furniture Furniture Style Guide Upholstered Furniture Furniture page