The Basics
The word "furniture" tends
to evoke only thoughts of wood. However,
furniture may have components of every
conceivable material, including metal, bone,
plastic, shell, leather and fabric, as well as
paints and natural and synthetic resins. All
these materials must be taken into account to
properly care for and maintain furniture.
The practice of caring
for historic furniture has changed dramatically
in the last few years. Until recently, furniture
was viewed as primarily functional, and thus it
was considered acceptable to repair damaged or
broken furniture with whatever means were
available so it could be used again. If the
paint or varnish was in poor condition, it was
routinely removed and replaced with new paint or
varnish, or in some cases simply coated with a
new layer of finish over existing layers. Today,
the monetary, cultural and artistic values of
historic furniture demand that the "age old"
practices be reviewed.
The environment can
have a profound effect on the preservation of
furniture...
Light, particularly
visible and ultraviolet (UV) light, is very
damaging to organic materials such as wood.
Damage from light is cumulative and
irreversible. A table top exposed to diffuse
light for several years will suffer similar
effects of light damage as a table top exposed
to direct sunlight for a shorter time. Light
provides the energy and increased temperature
necessary to chemically degrade finishes and
wood colorants, and in severe cases, cause the
wood cell structure to break down. Clear
finishes often turn yellow or opaque in response
to light, and the color of the wood itself can
also change. The resulting damaged finishes and
bleached wood cannot be restored to their
original color without stripping and
refinishing, a practice not recommended as loss
of the "patina" or evidence of use can affect
the furniture's monetary value.
To limit the effects of
light, move all furniture out of direct
sunlight, utilize blinds or curtains to block
the intensity of sunlight and allow it to
diffuse evenly throughout a room, and keep
lights in rooms turned off when not in use. UV
light, which is particularly damaging to wood
and fabrics, can be screened out by applying a
UV-filtering film to windows.
Furniture can also be
affected by the amount of moisture in the air.
Wood and other organic materials respond to
changes in relative humidity (RH) by expanding
or contracting as they try to maintain
equilibrium with the moisture in the
environment. Ideally, RH levels should be
maintained within a 40%-60% range. If the RH is
too high (above 70%) wood and other materials
expand. If they are constrained in any way, they
may split upon shrinking when the RH drops to a
lower level. Furniture finishes are also
affected as differences between the response of
wood and its coating to changes in RH may
eventually cause a coating to detach. A
prolonged high humidity environment will also
promote the possibility of mold growth and
insect infestation. To prevent damage, place
furniture in areas of minimum temperature and RH
extremes, thereby avoiding attics, basements,
active fireplaces and heating vents.
Monitoring temperature
and RH in an environment can be done with small,
inexpensive thermometers and hygrometers
purchased at electronic or hardware stores. When
necessary, the RH can be modified to stay within
acceptable ranges through the use of humidifiers
and dehumidifiers.
There are a variety of
products developed especially for furniture care
as well as other commercial products available
that afford similar results.
Polishes, waxes, oil treatments, stains and
preservatives are formulated to provide your
furniture protection from the elements and
regular use.
Which products are right for your furniture
depend on the amount of use as well as climatic
conditions. We've tried a number of products
over the years and have found some to be better
than others, while almost all products provide
some level of protection and care for your
furniture.
Furniture Waxes
Furniture waxes afford
the longest lasting protection for your
furniture finishes and are available as a paste
or liquid. Some furniture paste waxes are
colored to help disguise minor nicks, scratches
and other surface blemishes.
Oils
Lemon oil and other
pure oil polishes can leave behind an oily film
that actually attracts dust and moisture to your
furniture surface. It's a common myth that you
need to fed the wood.
Furniture
Cleaners
Furniture cleaners and
dusting aids help to protect the furniture
finish and are recommended for regular use. The
use of these products helps to avoid scratching
the surface when dusting furniture with a dry
rag.
Furniture
Polishes
Most furniture polishes
are emulsion base and can be used regularly on
most furniture surfaces. It's a good idea to
clean and remove any wax from the surface prior
to using a furniture polish to avoid a cloudy
appearance.
More Articles &
Information:
Custom Furniture,
Repairing Furniture,
Furniture Care
