The Morning Call (Sunday)

Cleaning wood furniture takes extra care

Don’t make these mistakes if you want yours to last

- By Daley Quinn Southernli­ving.com

It’s easy to forget to clean your furniture every once in a while, but cleaning your wood furniture takes extra care and some maintenanc­e. In order for your wood furniture to last a long time, you’ll want to clean it properly — unfortunat­ely, it’s a bit easy to potentiall­y damage your nice wood furniture.

“Wood is naturally porous and can easily be scratched, stained, or damaged by improper cleaning techniques,” explains Taylor Matthews, owner of Sparkling Queens in Savannah, Georgia. “It’s important to use a wood cleaner or a multi-purpose cleaner that’s safe for wood furniture so you don’t damage the finish on your furniture.”

Below, we’ve asked Matthews about the mistakes she sees most often when folks are trying to clean and care for their wood furniture.

Additional­ly, we asked her for her best advice on how to properly clean wood furniture.

Pay attention to the finish on your wood furniture before you start cleaning

“Note whether the wood has a laminate surface, a layer of shellac, or a raw surface,” explains Matthews. “Not all finishes are created equal — raw wood tends to be drier and more susceptibl­e to staining.”

Never spray cleaning solution directly on wood furniture

“Because wood is so porous, you can accidental­ly leave permanent spray marks on wood furniture if you spray cleaning solution

directly on the finish,” says Matthews. “Always spray wood cleaner on a microfiber cloth before wiping down furniture.”

Always dry dust with a microfiber cloth before cleaning wood furniture

According to Matthews, dust can be abrasive, and wood can be very sensitive to scratches. “Don’t spread wet dust around because you might accidental­ly damage the finish on wood furniture.”

Avoid getting wood furniture too wet during cleaning

“Wood tends to swell when it’s exposed to moisture, so exercise restraint with regard to the amount of wood cleaner or multi-purpose cleaner you use,” cautions Matthews.

Skip the wood polish

“These products include silicone that’s designed to create a barrier, but they can actually attract more dust and make your wood finish gummy and sticky over time,” says Matthews. “Using these silicone-based

products can ultimately result in surfaces that are harder to clean.”

Clean your wood furniture regularly

Dry dust and clean your wood furniture at least once a month, according to Matthews. Don’t allow dust to build up over the years or it will be much harder to clean.

Don’t leave glasses or cups sitting on wood furniture

“Leaving drinking glasses, cups, or mugs on wood furniture for long

periods of time can cause watermarks, stains and discolorat­ion,” Matthews warns.

Keep your wood furniture out of direct sunlight

The sun’s UV rays can fade and permanentl­y damage wood furniture. “To maintain your furniture’s finish, keep wood furniture indoors and away from sun exposure,” suggests Matthews.

Tips for cleaning wood furniture

You always want to start with a dry dust, using a dry microfiber cloth that will hold dust. This ensures that you’re working with a clean, dust-free surface.

Then, “spray wood cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner that’s safe for wood surfaces on a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the furniture carefully by hand, making sure that you don’t soak the wood,” explains Matthews. “Pay special attention to gummy residue, but don’t rub too hard or you might scratch the finish. Allow wood furniture to air dry.”

 ?? GETTY ?? In order for your wood furniture to last a long time, you’ll want to clean it properly by avoiding these cleaning mistakes.
GETTY In order for your wood furniture to last a long time, you’ll want to clean it properly by avoiding these cleaning mistakes.

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