Wood Furniture Care

One of the keys to keeping wood furniture looking its best is protecting the finish by doing the following:

• Use coasters, placemats, and trivets.
• Use felt pads on accessories and tabletop decorations to protect from scratches. Also periodically rotate accessories to avoid permanent marks and impressions.
• Never slide items across the top of furniture as this can cause scratches and gouges. Instead, lift items and then place them.
• Always use a protective pad under your paper when writing with a ballpoint pen.
• Don't leave magazines or newspapers on wood surfaces. The ink could transfer and bleed into the finish and the wood.
• Always clean spills immediately.

How to Clean Wood Furniture

For everyday cleaning, dust your wood furniture with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth by wiping in the direction of the wood grain. To clean spills, first wipe up the spill. Then, if needed, wipe in the direction of the wood grain with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water. Finally, use a soft, lint-free cloth to make sure the surface is completely dry to avoid moisture damage.

How to Polish Wood Furniture

First, start with the right kind of polish. There are a variety of products on the market, including waxes, polishes, oils, and cleaners; avoid silicone-based cleaners and citrus-based cleaners. Silicone-based cleaners (including most aerosol products) can penetrate into the finish and damage your furniture. Citrus-based products may contain acids that can harm finishes. If you choose to use a furniture wax, use it sparingly because over-waxing can cause buildup and may damage the finish.

We recommend applying high-quality furniture polish every six months by rubbing the polish into the wood in the direction of the wood grain. Do not combine high-quality furniture polishes with other oils or waxes as this may cause discoloring or clouding of the finish.

By simply caring for your furniture and knowing how to properly clean it, you can ensure that your furniture will look beautiful for years to come.