Steel Whisk

Posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Steel Whisk

How to clean and look after your English antique furniture. by Tom Baker

Modern furniture is a breeze to clean, as modern finishes are tough and durable. A quick spray with a household cleaner and a wipe down is enough to take care of sticky stains and spills. Antique furniture on the other hand, is not as easy to clean. As the finish on antique furniture is very delicate, it is often damaged by ordinary cleaning products. Using these products will actually reduce the value of your furniture and should be avoided at all costs. So just how do you keep your English antique furniture intact? By going old school, and using old fashioned methods! Throw your fancy household cleaners and pre-moistened wipes away, and treat your antique furniture the way it was done back in the day.

Dust your English antique furniture every few days, at least once a week. Do not use any kind of dusting device, in case it scratches it. A soft cloth is just perfect on broad flat surfaces. Do not use any chemical products, furniture polish or sprays, as these can actually stain the wood, induce weak spots and add to the wear and tear. By spending a few minutes regularly dusting antiques, this will keep you from having to use rough cleaning methods.
Many antique pieces have detailed intricate carvings in them which tend to gather dust which cannot be removed with a soft cloth. To remove this dust, gently whisk the area with a soft paintbrush or a used toothbrush. Alternatively, you can use a small hand held vacuum, which does not come into contact with the piece. Avoid using harsh scrubbing material like steel wool.
You can use certain polishes, such as Orange oil, which are good for cleaning antique furniture. Every couple of months or so, you should apply a very thin wax coat - to encourage a shine. Care should be taken to avoid a wax build up, as this will ultimately lead to wear and tear.
Sticky residues on modern furniture are usually removed with some grease and scraping, but understandably, this is not possible with delicate antique furniture. Sticky areas can be removed with lemon juice - the acidity from the lemon breaks down the adhesives without damaging the furniture finish. To be safe, it is best to test the effect of lemon juice on an inconspicuous area first.
It is important to protect your furniture from external factors that will damage it. Ensure that your furniture never stands in the glare of direct sunlight, as this can discolour it and cause it to fade - something that no amount of cleaning will be able to solve. Also, ensure that your house has a constant temperature, which will help preserve your furniture throughout the years.

Find a range of English antique furniture here http://www.ronaldphillips.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/How-to-clean-and-look-after-your-English-antique-furniture-/783907