Care of Wood Furniture
The type of finish on the wood, not the type of wood,
determines how to care for it, clean it, and repair
damage; so know what kind of finish it has. Finishes may
be soft (oiled) or hard (lacquer, shellac, varnish, or
polyurethane), or painted. Ask when buying new furniture.
If you are in doubt about the type of finish, try the
following tests in an inconspicuous part of the piece.
Test for an oil finish by rubbing a few drop of
boiled linseed oil into the wood. If it absorbs, the wood
has an oil finish. If it beads up, the wood has a hard
finish.
To identify which hard finish, rub acetone over a
spot in a gentle, circular motion. Lacquer will dissolve
in 30 seconds under gentle, circular rubbing. Varnishes
and shellacs will turn to sticky, gel-like substance
after a minute or two, and polyurethane/polyester
finishes will shed acetone like water. (A shellac can be
distinguished from a varnish because shellacs will
dissolve quickly in denatured alcohol; varnish will react
more slowly.)
After you have decided which finish is on your wood
furniture, follow the appropriate procedures.
Excessive dampness, dryness, heat, or cold can damage
wood furniture. Sunlight can change the color. Rubber or
plastic mats should not be used unless marked safe for
wood, since some may soften or stain the finish. Wipe up
spills at once to prevent spots that require refinishing.
Polish occasionally, not more than 3-4 times a year
unless it gets heavy use, with a polish recommended for
the kind of finish. Too much polish may build up a cloudy
film; wipe off polish before it dries completely.
Do not mix types of polish. Oil causes wax to become
gummy. Clean the furniture surface thoroughly before
changing furniture care products.
Wood Furniture-Finish Repairs
Most oil-rubbed or penetrating seal finishes can be
easily repaired. Touch up jobs on varnished, lacquered or
painted surfaces are likely to appear patched. Extensive
damage in these finishes should be repaired by a
professional.
If spot removal changes the luster of a finish, rub
the entire surface with a mixture of pumice or
rottenstone mixed with boiled linseed oil. Rottenstone is
finer and will give a higher polish. Always rub in the
direction of the wood grain. Use the palm of your hand or
a soft cloth. If mixture becomes sticky, add a few drops
of mineral spirits. Finish by wiping off the mixture and
buffing with a clean cloth. Oil should be almost
completely buffed off. If wax desired, wait for 48
hours.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Wisconsin
Extension bulletin, Care and Cleaning of Upholstered
Furniture. |
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Marty Neal
888-32-Marco
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