The Collector's Place

Maintaining Antique Furniture

Antique furniture is not finished in the same way as modern furniture, so to maintain it properly requires a different method. Most furniture today has an easy-care finish that only requires a damp cloth or a little polish spray to bring back the gleam. Reproduction furniture may have been finished with something like French polishing that would be ruined by water.

Antique Restoration process that will not harm the delicate surface or cause any further scratching than may have already been sustained through usage. But some of today’s silicone polishes and finishes may cause irreparable harm and a decrease in the value of yesterday’s fine furniture. However, with proper restoration and finishing the value of the piece can be increased.

Good quality paste wax is the preferred method of preserving antique furniture that has been varnished. In between waxing, dusting with a slightly dampened rag will help to keep the furniture free of dirt and grime. A dry cloth may cause scratches. However if the surface of the furniture has deteriorated, wax may not be the correct thing to use.

Wax should only be applied twice a year and less often on the parts that do not get used so much, such as under the arms and the backs of chairs.

You might be inclined to think that a feather duster would be light and delicate enough to care for the most expensive piece of antique furniture, but experts advise that these dusting aids can actually leave scratches. Besides, they do not remove dust; they only move it around.

Using the appropriate attachment of a vacuum cleaner is the best way to get rid of dust permanently – one with very soft bristles is best. Take care not to knock the piece with any part of the vacuum cleaner or the back of the brush.

To maintain antique furniture it should be kept out of the sun and stored in an area of stable humidity. Attics and basements are not the best places to store antique furniture as these areas are usually either really hot or really cold and damp. Such changes in humidity can cause the growth of mould and/or cracking of the veneer or other finish.

About the Author

Antiques Collector has been collecting antiques and French furniture for over 2 decades and also specialises in their restoration.

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