How to Clean and Preserve Your Antique Furniture English Antiques
March 17th, 2009 | by admin |
An increasing number of people are choosing to invest in antique furniture because of its high market value. If you own antique furniture English antiques, you will be able to command a very high price for one piece of furniture alone.
The market value of an antique item depends on various factors related to the item itself. The workmanship, style, material used and the period in which it was constructed are some of the factors that determine an antique furniture’s value. It is, therefore, proper to properly maintain and preserve your precious investment. Here are some tips to clean and preserve antique furniture.
Clean antique furniture with care
Make cleaning antique furniture a part of your daily routine so it won’t be neglected. Dusting should be done every other day or, at he very least, once a week. Not all materials are appropriate as dusting device; they might cause some scratches. Use a soft cloth instead.
Avoid using just any kind of sprays or common furniture polish for cleaning antique furniture English antiques. The dust-repelling formulas in sprays and polishes contain harmful chemicals that may stain the antique furniture’s wood and create weak spot.
Certain polishes do a great job without damaging your period pieces. Orange oil is ideal for weekly cleaning of antique furniture. After this, you should polish it once every two months using furniture wax. Using a thin coat is enough to give it a healthy shine without bringing on wax build-up.
Wood protection is a must
Certain factors can cause wood damage in antique furniture English antiques so proper care and preventive steps should be observed to protect your investment. Never let the wood get in direct contact with anything that may scratch it. Immediately wipe up any water spillage before it reaches the wood. Cleaning solvent spillage on wood need special treatment. Dab the solvent stain using a soft cloth until all of it has been removed. Wiping or rubbing it off will just spread the stain further.
Protect your antique furniture from direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause discoloration and fading which will be impossible to repair later on.
Control the temperature and environment
See to it that your antique furniture English antiques is housed in an environment protected from the elements. Maintain the right temperature for your antique pieces all year round. Use a humidifier or temperature control if necessary. This will help stabilize the temperature and air humidity. Putting up the extra cash will protect your bigger investment and will be worth every penny in the long run.