Wood furniture is a quintessential part of your homestead. Not only do the all-natural pieces look great, but they also last a long time if they’re properly cared for over the years and help improve business operations. After all, no one wants to buy produce or wares sitting on grungy tables. To protect your investment in such high-quality furniture, consider these six tips. Each one will extend the life and maintain the look of your wooden furniture.
1. Stay Away from Chemically Based Cleaners
You’ve probably seen wood cleaners lining the shelves at your local market or big-box store, but you should steer clear of such products, especially if you have antique pieces. These formulas can strip away the shiny, aged finish of your furniture, which would severely shorten their lifespan and ruin their look. Stick to a gentler cleaning regimen instead — more on that below.
2. Defend Against Food and Water
If you happen to have wooden kitchen, coffee or side tables, then you need to protect them from any food or drink that might spill. Every wood-table owner has different methods for doing so. Some cover the tabletop with a piece of glass, while others opt for a plastic tablecloth that goes down while everyone eats.
On top of that, be sure to use coasters for hot and cold drinks on coffee tables and nightstands. With that, all of your wood surfaces should be protected from watermarks and stains.
3. Keep Dust at Bay
You’ve probably noticed that your wood furniture acts like a magnet for dust and debris that lingers within your home. If left to accumulate on top of any piece, dust can get into the natural grains of the wood, making it extremely difficult to remove and ruining the look of your furniture. Plus, some debris can be abrasive and scratch the surface of your furniture, too. Dust once a week with a soft cloth to remove the gray stuff before it becomes too tough to wipe away.
4. Wax Biannually
Although antique wood furniture will require a gentler, more specific regimen, newer pieces should be waxed twice a year to keep them shining. Most furniture manufacturers coat their creations with a finish to make them shiny, and this can get scratched or damaged without a protective layer of wax. Beeswax does the best job to give your pieces natural shine without damaging them.
Just make sure you stick to the biannual regimen, or else wax can build up and ruin the look of your wood furniture.
5. Use a Dehumidifier
High humidity can seriously warp your wooden furniture. In spring and summer, when it can get particularly humid, be sure to switch on your dehumidifier, which can also reduce moldy smells and allergens in your home. If you don’t have one, you can turn up the air conditioning, which will counteract moisture and preserve your furniture for longer.
Be sure to keep your furniture away from heating vents, which can overly dry it out, another potential source of irreparable damage.
6. Protect from Environmental Factors
High humidity is just one example of how the environment can affect your wood furniture. The sun can also dry out and discolor your furniture, so keep wood pieces away from windows without blinds or curtains. Heat from the sun can damage your furniture, too — it’s best to keep pieces away from any sources of sunlight that could be bright or blazing enough to affect them.
Safeguard Your Investment
Purchasing wood furniture, whether it’s new or antique, is an investment in your homestead business. As such, use the above six tips to safeguard what you’ve bought and what you hope to use for many years to come.
