Care of Wood

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Wood is one of nature's loveliest, most sensual creations - which could be why we humans are so drawn to it.  Given a choice of furnishing materials, most of us would choose wood over any other substance.

But we sometimes assume that since it comes from an outdoor environment and is regularly subjected to rain, sleet, snow and hail, it's virtually indestructible.  The truth is that once cut, carved, assembled and finished, a certain degree of care is essential.

Maintaining the beauty of fine wood furniture is easy if you follow a few simple rules.

• Don't wash it.  It's rain forest days are over.  Dust your wood surface with a clean, lint-free cloth.  Clean it if needed with one that's damp, then dry thoroughly.  As for polishing, it's not necessary to do so very often, and it's best to use products recommended by the furniture companies themselves (A good alternative is Guardsman Furniture Polish.)
• Don't scratch it.  Be careful what you place on that dresser or tabletop. Use protective pads, but avoid cork, plastic, vinyl and rubber - or anything heavy. Lift objects; do not drag them.  Don't allow anything containing alcohol or silicone anywhere near fine furniture.  This includes nail polish remover, hairspray and perfume.
• Don't let the sun bake it.  You've already seen how quickly UV rays can bleach the color from a quilt; imagine what damage they can also do to fine wood.  Be wary of open windows, heating vents, even forgetting to pull those drapes in mid-afternoon.  It's wiser still to arrange your furniture so that it can't possibly be abused by strong sunlight.  Be equally careful of extreme cold.
• Don't mistreat it.  Even if you cover it with glass, be careful what you place between he glass the the surface (no plastic dots, please).  Trivets may not offer enough protection from extremely hot dishes. Coasters are essential for coffee tables.  While touch-up sticks and quality polishes are helpful for blemishes, should you damage your wood, it's wise to call a professional for advice.
• Don't forget to enjoy.  By all means, be thrilled to live with wood.  It's so timeless, enduring and beautiful that it's easy to see why people choose solid wood furnishings again and again.