Antique Furniture:

Cleaning and Preserving Antique Furniture

From the very earliest times those who owned furniture were considered very wealthy.

During the middle ages it was important that furniture be transportable since, in order to reign, the royal kings and queens moved around the country and brought their entire households with them. This notion of movable chests, beds and tables became important again during the various wars that were fought throughout the kingdom.

The care of such objects was important given their value to the owners and the descendants who would presumably inherit them.

Furniture was at first oiled ( with linseed oil which caused to wood to darken), or painted or simply waxed which gave the furniture a natural honey color. The fashion of the time dictated which surface treatment was preferable. Today, in spite of styles such as Shabby Chic and Country where painted wood is a hallmark, the love affair with "natural" wood is alive and well. Keeping it looking good given our busy lives is a challenge.

Cleaning and Polishing Wood Furniture

Should I be cleaning my furniture? Why is it that I can’t seem to get rid of fingerprints on my table? Why is it that my pieces look so dull? My furniture is splitting or cracking - will oiling it help? Although a short article such as this one cannot hope to even address these issues separately, there are however certain things you can do that address many of the above problems quickly and relatively painlessly.

Many furniture problems can be alleviated simply with a good cleaning. Most furniture undergoes a lot of abuse - whether from everyday wear and tear or passive abuse such as neglect. Antique furniture, especially with original finishes, usually has a layer of grime built up from years of exposure to dirt, dust, oil lamp and cooking fumes. This is often referred to as “patina”.

If the piece is very old, and you have reason to believe it may be valuable, do not touch it! Serious collectors look for these pieces, and you may seriously affect its value if you don’t know what you are doing. A professional restorer should be consulted—not a wood refinisher.

If you have a piece that is not rare, or valuable, and you simply want to approve its appearance, here are some tips : (Caution: Do not use these techniques on Teak or other oiled finishes)

1. Remove the old wax.

Wax acts as a sealant, and if it is doing its job, no cleaner will penetrate it . There are proprietary wax cleaners and strippers available from your local hardware stores. If you are unable to access these products, paint thinner can be used.

In a well ventilated area, using a face mask and rubber gloves, pour a small amount of the cleaner in a glass or pottery bowl. Dip 0000 Superfine steel wool into the mixture and apply to the surface in a gentle circular movement. You are not sanding the piece, but rather encouraging the wax to reconstitute itself into a liquid form so that it may be wiped off with a cloth. Do this until you are sure no wax remains on the surface.

2. Clean the Surface:

You will notice a white oily substance on the wood. This is the residue from the cleaner and it must be washed off. Use a reasonably concentrated solution of liquid dish soap and water, and wash a small area at a time—do not allow it to soak into the wood for any length of time. If the water beads, it means there is still wax which needs to be removed. Repeat the first step. Wipe with clear water. Let dry completely.

3. Touch up any marks or scratches using either a stain pen or wood colored felt pen in the appropriate shade. Usually one works better than the other based on the finish. Some products hide scratches and are quick drying. These are all available at From TImes Past.

4. Wax it. Apply two thin coats of a good quality wax such as Goddard's Cabinetmakers Wax. This will seal in your touch up products and provide important protection . The amount of shine on the object will be proportionate to the amount of elbow grease used. Do not oil your furniture—it does not “feed” the wood, and will only succeed in attracting dirt.