HE-267
Wood Furniture: The Care It Deserves
Prepared by
Jacquelyn K. Sanneman,
Extension Specialist, Environmental Design
Today there is a renewed or increased emphasis on buying high-quality wood furniture. This trend makes it important for consumers to understand how to take care of wood furniture. Proper care can add years of service to your furniture and enhance its appearance. Inappropriate care or the use of the wrong furniture care products may cause an unattractive appearance or could actually harm the wood’s finish.

The Basics
There are four basic procedures in a furniture care routine.
Dust
Dust often with a soft cloth and always work with the grain of the wood. A thick coat of dust may damage the furniture finish as the dust is removed. Use a dustcloth with natural fibers such as an old undershirt. Cheesecloths or unwashed materials usually contain sizing which may scratch the finish.

Dusting sprays are designed to be applied directly to your dusting cloth and should never be sprayed on the furniture surface. Slightly dampening your dustcloth with water also helps your cloth attract and hold dust.

Touch-Up
Wipe up spills as quickly as possible. Spots and stains allowed to remain on the wood become difficult if not impossible to remove. Blemishes and scratches should also be periodically repaired. (See section on “Minor Furniture Touch-ups.”)

Polish
Polish furniture occasionally with products recommended for your furniture finish. Do not Polish more than three or four times a year unless it is a much used surface. Excessive use of polishes and oils will cause a cloudy film to build up which masks the beauty of the
wood. Wiping off the polish before it dries will reduce the amount of film left on the surface.

Do not mix types of polish. Oil causes wax to become gummy. Clean the furniture surface thoroughly before changing furniture care products.

Avoid using polishes containing silicones on good-quality wood furniture. Most aerosol-type polishes contain silicone, an ingredient that gives a long-lasting high gloss to furniture. Silicones eventually work their way into the finish and dry out the wood, making it difficult to repair or refinish the surface.
Clean
Clean your furniture as needed. Furniture needs to be cleaned if there is a film of polish or dust and grime which has accumulated over the years. Many older pieces may only need a thorough cleaning instead of refinishing. It is also important to clean your furniture if you are changing types of polish.

Choosing Care Products
Today’s furniture finishes are made to withstand wear with a minimum of care. Too frequent use of polishes can actually be harmful to the finish. Therefore, it is important to select good-quality furniture care products and use them according to recommended methods.

When choosing furniture care products, you should match the product to the furniture finish. The type of finish will determine the treatment required for cleaning and repairing. Check with your dealer for specific information on care when you are purchasing new wood furniture.

How to Identify Type of Finish
If you already own a piece of furniture and do not know what type of finish it has, it is possible to identify the finish. To identify a clear,
Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907