Antique Furniture Polishing, Cleaning and Dusting

The patina on the surface of antique furniture builds up over many years even with old marks and damage, it is part of the character and value of a piece of furniture and should be preserved.

Waxing antique furniture with a good quality natural beeswax (not spray polishes), brings out the colour and grain of the wood and provides protection. Put a small amount of polish on a soft cloth and rub the piece until the wax on the cloth shines which will burnish the surface and evaporate any solvent. Then polish with a clean duster. If possible apply the wax at night to allow it to nourish the wood and polish the following day. If the wood has become very dry, the wax will soak in rapidly and should be applied regularly until a good patina has developed. Normally wax polish need not be used more than once every few months as too much wax will cause dullness and absorb dust. However, frequent dusting is important using a clean, dry, soft duster. This will encourage a hard skin to form which enhances the patina.

Brass mountsandhandles should not be polished with metal cleaners which can harm the wood around them and remove any water gilding. A light burnishing while dusting should be enough to keep them bright. The gold finish on ormolu (gilded bronze) is very delicate and should not be polished. It should be handled as little as possible, as the acid in fingertips can damage gilding, but it can be dusted gently with a soft brush.

Upholstery should be vacuumed regularly to guard against a build-up of dust and pests.

Environmental Conditions - Light, Central Heating and Humidity

Sunlight and humidity as well as central heating and pollutants in the air can affect organic materials like wood, fabric and leather. Therefore it pays to give a little thought to the environment in which furniture is kept and to examine it from time to time to check for damage.

Do not to keep fine furniture in strong sunlight which will fade its colour. Roller sun blinds cut out rays of the sun without darkening a room, or curtains can be drawn during the day when a room is not in use.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage furniture, especially inlaid or veneered pieces. Central heating dries the air so the moisture needs replacing. Humidifiers can be readily bought, ranging from simple devices that clip on radiators to sophisticated electric models. Even placing a bowl of water near the furniture can be of help. Damp rooms can also cause problems which can be avoided by using a dehumidifier. The ideal humidity level is around 50 to 55 per cent and this can be checked with humidity indicator cards, strips or a garden hygrometer. The room temperature should be kept as constant as possible, with central heating left on low at night. Rooms should be kept well aired. If in spite of precautions furniture starts to warp or split, do catch the problem early and contact a professional restorer immediately.

Moving and Handling

Antique furniture should be treated with care and respect. Never tilt back on a chair, open a drawer using only one of two handles or drag furniture rather than lift it. Do not lift a table from the top surface but from the lowest part of the main frame. Chairs should be picked up from under the seat.

Restoration

Honest and sympathetic restoration is quite acceptable for antique furniture. However, it should only be done by reputable professional restorers who will use the correct traditional materials. Chipped or lifted veneers should be professionally repaired as soon as possible. Only water-soluble wood glue should be used for minor repairs undertaken at home. Small chips of wood, veneer etc. can be held in place with masking tape (not sellotape) while glue is setting or prior to professional restoration. Drawers and doors which stick can be eased by rubbing candlewax on the surface. Dry, cracked leather on desk-tops can be revitalised with a lanolin and beeswax preparation after spot-testing a small area to ensure it does not stain. Clear neutral shoe cream or leather cream can also be used.

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