7 Enemies of wood finish furniture to avoid

You have just purchased an exquisite piece of wood finish furniture and found the perfect spot for it in your home. Now, you’re worried about the damage. Once a surface is scratched, stained or cracked, it may be costly to fix—or not fixable at all.

Charles Sutton, publisher of Furniture Review and founder of Sutton Reproductions, a maker of high-quality period furniture replicas, says there are seven major enemies of wood finishes—not including young children. Here is the comprehensive list, as well as tips on how to avoid them.  

Credit: kostsov

One of the most common problems stems from sweaty glasses left on tabletops. Water and other liquids penetrate a finish film and damage the wood underneath, causing cloudy or chalky stains that are difficult to remove. Coasters are your best friends and don’t forget to wipe up spills right away.

A hot cup of coffee placed on an antique finish can create a white ring, much like a watermark. Likewise, indirect heat, such as that in an attic, can damage wood finishes. Many people don’t know that coasters can be used for hot drinks as well.

Keep furniture at least 60cm from radiators, furnace registers and other heat sources. Exercise caution when storing wood furniture.

Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz

If you don’t have dust in your home, raise your hand. Just as expected—no hands. Dust can dull finishes by filling crevices and causing microscopic scratches.

Dust at least every two weeks using a soft, lint-free, lightly dampened cloth. If you don’t have one, an old shirt or nappy gets the job done too. Every three months or so, use a spray-on furniture polish (but not if you previously waxed your furniture), or once a year or so, reapply a paste wax.

Coasters can prevent water and heat marks, but be careful of the kind of coaster you use. Those made of synthetic materials, such as artificial rubber, can soften and dull hard surface finishes. The same goes for plastic covers and pads, so keep an eye out and avoid these materials.

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Body oils and perspiration contain lactic acid and salts that can break down wood finishes, leaving sticky, dirt-attracting areas. Plant and flower nectar can do the same thing. Place plants away from fine wood furniture.

Regular dusting and polishing will remove body oils. Periodically clean “high-touch” areas—such as the arms of chairs—with a solution of a wood cleaner, such as Murphy Oil Soap, and water, following the dilution directions on the container.

Believe it or not, many furniture scratches and gouges have nothing to do with your children. Unlikely suspects, such as lamps, ceramics and other accessories with hard bottoms, are often the culprits. Place protective padding, such as stick-on felt found in DIY shops, on the bottoms of all such accessories.

Credit: ijeab

We all know how dangerous the sun’s ultraviolet rays can be to human skin. Those same rays can wreak havoc on wood finishes, causing cracking, checking and fading. The simple answer to preventing sun damage is not to place your furniture in direct sunlight, but that’s not always easy.

Use shades, drapes, blinds and UV-screening films on windows to block the sun. Plant shrubs in front of windows to block the sun. You can also rotate lamps and accessories on wood furniture exposed to sunlight to avoid noticeable dark spots where the sun never shines.

Banner credit: FollowTheFlow

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