Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for.
When purchasing furniture, it’s always a good idea to ask for specific cleaning and care instructions.
Furniture and wooden objects are part of our lives every day. Some are utilitarian, such as a chair at the dining table; others are aesthetic, such as an antique sculpture or carving; still, others may have emotional or symbolic importance as mementos, such as a chest that has been in the family for years. Whatever their nature or purpose, if they are important to us they deserve the best care we can provide for them
What are a few things that affect furniture?
Environment
Light
Humidity
Biopredation
Rodents
Insect Infestation
Mold, Mildew, Fungi
Furniture Use and Care
Careless and uninformed treatment of furniture is the second major cause of preventable damage. Damage to furniture is telltale: it is either caused by poor construction (over which the caretaker has no control) or it is the result of improper use or care. You don't have to be a specialist or scholar to treat furniture properly, all it takes is a basic understanding of the nature of wooden objects and of what furniture is and is meant to do, combined with common sense. Here are some common-sense pointers:
• Protect surfaces from fire and excessive heat
• Sit only on structures designed for that purpose
• Be careful about what you place on a piece of furniture
Hot items, such as irons, coffee mugs, and steaming tureens can literally melt a finish away. Water from spills and condensation from vases and cold drink glasses can damage and deface coatings through "blooming," an effect that makes transparent coatings white or milky.
Damage is even worse when the liquid itself stains the surface, such as when ink or coffee or tea is spilled, or if the coating is penetrated and the staining liquid enters the wood itself. Organic solvents, such as fingernail polish and remover, perfumes, and alcoholic drinks can behave as paint and varnish removers on many kinds of coatings. These problems are simple to address. Using coasters, oversized ashtrays, and writing pads can virtually eliminate the potential for damage.
COVID19 Problems
COVID19 has caused problems in every aspect of life ever. People are now obsessed with cleaning everything including furniture with alcohol, which ruins everything about wood furniture; the polish, finish everything.
A good solution is to clean wood furniture with furniture cleaning tools.