85 MAINTAINING RUSTIC WOOD
TIPS ON MAINTAINING A RUSTIC WOOD INTERIOR.
At the Catskills camp built in 1910, the entire interior is sheathed in rough lumber. (See previous story.) Bark-on split (half ) logs form casings around doors, ribs in the vaulted ceiling, and “mouldings” at junctions in walls and ceilings. Smaller bark-on split logs attached vertically to lower walls create a rustic wainscot and, in some rooms, a frieze. Upper walls are sheathed in tongue-and-groove boards installed on the diagonal or vertically.
This is not, however, a "log cabin," but rather a stone house with wood-framed interior walls clad in cedar sheathing. Because most of the wall surfaces are either flat or installed vertically, dust accumulation is less problematic than in a house with horizontal logs.
Early on, the interior board walls had a shellac finish. The walls are occasionally cleaned, but the family believes that no subsequent finish was ever applied (except on floors). A patina that developed over 110 years is the result of the old shellac, ultraviolet light, seasonal changes, smoke from fireplaces, and so on. “The walls are dusted using feather dusters—which now are heirlooms—on extension poles,” says family friend and preservation consultant Charles Glasner. What follows is a rundown of general cleaning methods for rustic wood interiors.
> LIGHT CLEANING Starting at the highest point in a room, remove cobwebs and dust using a broom or, if necessary, a barely damp mop. You can also use a shop vacuum with a brush attachment. To remove dirt, use a mild cleanser such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, rinsing afterwards. (Always test a cleaning product in an inconspicuous area.)
> REMOVING MOLD/MILDEW Do not use bleach on wood; it will damage wood fibers and may change the color. Try a light spray of drugstore hydrogen peroxide, scrubbing with a soft brush. Now sponge distilled white vinegar, a mold killer, over affected areas.
REMOVING GREASE To remove stains and recondition wood, try a washing solution of 1 cup hot water, ¼ cup vinegar, ½ cup mineral oil (not vegetable oil), and 20 drops of lemon oil. Shake these ingredients in a screw-top bottle. Apply the homemade cleanser with a clean sponge or rag, followed by buffing with a soft, lintfree cloth. If that doesn’t do it, you may need TSP or an equivalent, diluted in warm water. Have plenty of ventilation and use rubber gloves and safety goggles. If the wood remains stained, you may need a chemical stripper or sanders. Sanding removes patina (which developed as a result of sunlight and oxidation, not only dirt), exposing the original raw color of the wood.
> MAINTENANCE Keep the wood as dust-free as possible. Dampwipe wood monthly or twice a season. Use a mild cleanser, but never use a waxy product, which just attracts dirt.