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Antique Furniture Cleaning
Looking after your antiques, ensuring they're displayed, stored
and handled correctly is essential to preserving them for future
generations. Furniture needs informed care and it's important to
remember that furniture isn't just wood; the beauty of wooden
furniture is often how the wood is aged as well as the other
materials used.
Cleaning
The best way to protect the finish of your piece is to use a good
quality beeswax polish. This should be done once a year, or twice a
year for heavy use. The wax should be applied sparingly with a soft
cloth and the piece polished with another lint-free cloth. A good
shine comes from rubbing rather than lots of layers of wax. Don't
use silicone based sprays for cleaning as they leave a film that is
very hard to remove. Oil-based polishes attract dirt and some might
darken the wood. Avoid feather dusters as they can scratch the
surface. You should clean intricate areas with a soft brush. Be
careful not to catch or pull any decoration that could bend or come
off.
Repairs
Repairing furniture is a difficult and highly
specialized area. We
recommend you contact a qualified furniture conservator before
considering any DIY repairs. There are a number of surface finishes
including: wax, varnish, lacquer, shellac, paint and modern
synthetic finishes. Even bare wood will develop a patina of its own
over decades. These finishes are a sign of the age of a piece and
should be preserved.
Scratches
If you find a scratch, first examine how deep it is. If it's only a
surface scratch and has not gone through to the actual wood, you can
attempt to color-in the area. A scratch that has gone through to
the wood can allow moisture in - this type of damage needs
professional attention. Before attempting any repairs, make sure you
know what the surface finish of your piece is. If it's varnish,
shellac or wax you could try the following steps:
Make sure the surface is dust free.
Use a basic water-color set and a sable brush. Do some test
colors
to find one that looks as if it will match. Try it on the underside
of the piece (or some other area that can't be seen). The color
when wet will be the color when waxed.
Avoid getting paint on the finish. Have a cloth ready to wipe off
any stray spots of paints.
When fully dry, polish with beeswax polish and a lint-free cloth.
Breakages
Furniture gets banged, things fall on it and constant rubbing can
loosen the trim. It is important to replace these when possible
because exposed areas on either side of a damaged area can be more
vulnerable. Even a gentle dusting can snag the edge of a broken area
and pull it off.
If a piece has broken off your furniture, but in one section (rather
than several pieces) you may be able to re-attach it. However, it's
advisable to speak to a professional conservator before attempting
such a repair. Paying for a quick visit for them to see your piece
of furniture may save you a great deal of angst and money. If there
are a number of pieces, wrap each one individually in acid-free
tissue and store in a bag or box. Do not attempt a complex repair.
For a simple re-attachment, follow these tips: examine the area. Is
there a residue of old glue? Old glue can be removed with a scalpel
and a very steady hand. Don't dig at the glue but gently brush away
any residue. It may be necessary to do this on both the area of the
break and the broken piece. Use a tiny amount of cold scotch glue on
the broken part. This is animal glue and does not need to be heated
to be effective. Try to apply it in the middle of the piece to be
joined, as this will help to prevent the glue from oozing out at the
edges. Carefully place the piece back in its original location. If
you see any glue seeping out, remove it with your finger.
Leave it for 24 hours and then rub with beeswax polish if necessary.
General housekeeping tips
The temperature in your home can greatly affect the condition of
your furniture. Excessively dry conditions can cause furniture to
dry out and shrink, while excessively damp conditions can cause
mould growth. Try to keep your pieces in a stable environment where
the temperature and relative humidity don't fluctuate dramatically.
The following points are worth bearing in mind:
- Don't place furniture near heat sources as heat causes shrinkage.
This can loosen joints and veneers and change the shape of the piece
over time.
- Light can also damage furniture. Natural or artificial light of a
high intensity can alter finishes and if severe can break down the
wood. Use blinds or curtains to reduce light levels.
- If moving furniture, remove drawers and lock doors so they don't
open. Pieces should be padded and covered for transport. Use clean
white cotton gloves when moving gilded furniture (available
inexpensively at chemists).
- Lifting furniture should be done carefully. Check for loose areas.
Chairs should be lifted (not dragged) by the seat rather than the
back or arms.
- Tables should be lifted by the legs rather than the
top, which could come off.
Information courtesy of Sharon Manitta.
Come visit us at the
Montreal Antique Center, Centre d'Antiquites
de Montreal and see our latest choices.
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