Having antiques is an amazing way to add some warmth to your home and create a welcoming atmosphere. Even though pieces of antique furniture are built from high-quality materials and are meant to last for a long time, they still need a lot of care. If they are neglected, they can lose it’s color, crack and look pretty bad. That’s why we gathered some tips on how to properly care for your antique furniture and make it beautiful for many years ahead.
The most important factors to properly care for your antique furniture
There are a couple of basic things to remember to make your antique furniture as long-lasting as possible. First, be sure to remove it from direct sunlight and any source of heat. Strong light and high temperatures directly affect the color and shine layers on the surface of the furniture. It can cause the color to fade very quickly, and the covering layer will crack very easily. So, move the valuable pieces away from windows, fireplaces, and radiators to preserve it as much as you can.
Another big problem for antique furniture is dirt. If you want to keep your pieces nice and shiny, be sure to clean it regularly. However, try not to overdo it so you don’t affect the color and use only dedicated cleaning products that protect the antiques’ color and shine.
Finally, you should be aware of moisture, as well as dryness. Yes, we all know moisture can hurt the antique furniture, but if you want to properly care for your antique furniture you need to avoid dryness as well. A humidifier is a great solution for this -as well as cleaning any water the moment it spills on a valuable piece.
To properly care for your antique furniture be sure to clean it regularly and protect it from moisture.
How to clean the antique furniture
We mentioned dirt is one of the biggest issues for valuable furniture pieces. However, many people think they are doing a good job by wiping and rubbing them all the time. Very often, they are often damaging the furniture pieces by using inadequate cleaning products, too wet cloths, and very strong rubbing motions. When you want to properly care for your antique furniture, you need to be very careful and gentle. Be sure to use the product that is mild and made especially for antique pieces – mix it with water and a damp cloth and you’ll extend the life of your favorite furniture pieces.
Extra tip: If there are any stains on your furniture, use a soft toothbrush to remove them, rather than some harsh scrubbers.
Cleaning the wood
Wood may be the most important part of most of the antique furniture pieces. When you finish cleaning it with a damp cloth, be sure to protect its shine and color by applying natural beeswax polish after it’s dry. If you are restoring an old piece that lacked care for a long time – be sure to reapply the polish once more the next day.
Wood is very delicate so be sure to take care of it properly.
Waxing is a great way to revive the color and shine but also protect your furniture from any accidental spillage. It creates a protective layer on top of the surface which prevents the wood from absorbing the water.
Metal parts maintenance
Handles and hooks are those metal parts that need to be cleaned once in a while. And since you touch them the most, they probably need a good scrub and polish. However, be sure to remove them first, so you don’t damage the wooden parts around them.
How to properly care for your antique furniture when moving
One of the biggest issues of moving house is to safely relocate antique furniture. These pieces are often very delicate and require special care when moving to avoid damage. Here are some tips on how to organize the relocation for items that need special care.
Get appraisal
Before moving antiques, it’s important to know their exact value. Get an official appraisal of your items if you are hiring a moving company to move the items. This way you’ll have the proof of the value if anything bad happens and you need to file a claim.
Contact the professional
Moving a valuable item should be done by either yourself or someone who is experienced and skilled in such tasks. If you are not sure how to DIY the relocation, contact a professional moving company like Gibraltar Van Lines – skilled moving pros who have the right techniques and packing supplies to do it.
Disassemble your furniture pieces
When it comes to moving, the best way to properly care for your antique furniture is to disassemble whatever you can. This way you make it easier to safely pack the pieces, rather than a whole, bulky item. Also, it will be much easier to carry the items in and out of the house, as well as packing it for transport.
If possible, dismantle the antique pieces so you can properly care for your antique furniture when moving.
Use the right packing supplies
One of the most important things when moving antiques is using the right tools. Be sure to get the proper packing materials that will make sure your items are safely packed and ready for transport. Be sure to wrap each item separately, protect the corners on furniture pieces and add additional cushioning where necessary.
Get the items ready for storage
When moving into a smaller apartment, we often have no extra space for antique furniture, yet we don’t want to give them away. If you choose the right storage option, you can have a safe place for your valuables. However, be sure to choose a safe place, and protect the items from extreme weather conditions, accidents like floods, etc. Wrap the items securely and lift them from the ground – use wooden palettes to do it. Make sure you properly care for your antique furniture even if it’s not in your home – preserve its fine look for the time you can proudly present it in your new house.
