Caring for Wood Furniture

Last week I shared how to care for metals in your home. This week, let’s chat about wood furniture!

First things first: different types of wood require different types of care. So before you get started on cleaning, make sure you know what kind of wood you are working with. It’s always a great idea to test cleaning products on a small, out-of-the-way area before you tackle the whole piece of furniture.

Step 1:

If you are hiding your furniture under a layer of dust, it’s hard to appreciate it, so go ahead and get out your dusting rag! Microfiber cloths are excellent for this, but any soft cotton rag will do. A few quick swipes can make a huge difference. And you don’t have to spend hours doing this. Set a timer for five or ten minutes, pick a room, and get done what you can. Ideally, you can get each surface once a week, but once a month is better than not all!

Step 2:

It’s time to polish! Again, you’ll want to make sure you are using the right product for the type of wood you have—these are not one-size-fits-all products. But they are the products I reach for the most often!

• Watco Rejuvenating Oil: this is ideal for wood surfaces that are oil-finished. It’s an easy wipe-on, wipe-off, ten-minute process to bring wood furniture back to life!
• Old English Furniture Polish: I love using this furniture polish anytime I notice things starting to look a little dull. It helps clean and condition furniture, plus it’s made to help protect against future stains and fingerprints!

Step 3:

Make sure you are treating your furniture right. Consider where it’s located in your house (direct sunlight or right next to a fireplace might not be the best option for furniture you want to keep in tip-top shape). Make sure you have plenty of coasters available if drinks will be near. If you notice a water ring or a scratch, go ahead and treat it right away. If you notice that the wood has dried out or a protective coating has faded away, it might be time to re-oil or re-wax.

• Mineral Oil: If you are re-oiling a cutting board, wooden cooking utensils, or anything else that will be touching food, make sure you use a food-grade oil (I use Howard’s Cutting Board Oil).
• Briwax Furniture Wax: Make sure you have a soft cloth and your arm muscles ready because you’ll need to really work the wax into the furniture for the best results!
• Furniture Pens: If you do get a noticeable scratch, a furniture pen or furniture touch-up kit can help you take care of it.

Well-made wood furniture only needs a little TLC to last for years. Take good care of it, and it can be in your home for decades to come!

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