How to Clean Antique Furniture

Elegance at Its Best

Some of the most valuable and impressive pieces of furniture are not modern and contemporary...they are antique. Since these pieces are often the focal point of a room, you will want to keep them clean and tidy in their appearance. Cleaning most household furniture items can be a simple task, but antique furniture takes cleaning to a whole new level. In order to properly care for antique furniture, simple techniques must be followed.

Antique furniture is some of the most precious and valuable contents in your home. Often, it has sentimental value as well as monetary value. First and foremost, do not expose your fine antique pieces of furniture to extreme lighting or weather conditions. Antique furniture should not be kept outside or in a dominantly lit area of your home. The suns rays and constant weathering will fade and deteriorate your antique pieces of furniture.

Display them in a room that is exempt from these poor conditions.
Keep all items that could possibly stain off of the antique furniture. Make sure that you have coasters on all of the tabletops or put a glass top on all of the tables. A doily will not be sufficient enough to keep liquids, vapors, and heat elements off of the wooden surfaces. You can also purchase protective mats and cover them with a tablecloth or table runner.
Clean your antique furniture cautiously with a dry duster. Older pieces of furniture cannot withstand chemicals or waxing agents. Avoid any type of cleaner that is wet or damp. In addition, avoid any type of pledge or furniture polish that comes in a pump or spray can. The excessive waxes that are in most furniture polishes can leave a sticky residue on furniture that is difficult to remove. Antique pieces deserve cleaning methods that do not leave unwanted build-ups of chemicals.