Furniture Maintenance Tips

When thinking of buying quality furniture, one of the options that comes to mind is Amish made furniture. However many people assume that because Amish furniture is not run of the mill cheap furniture but rather high quality, long lasting furniture, that it will also be very high maintenance. This however is an erroneous view; well made Amish furniture made the traditional way is not high maintenance furniture; in fact if one takes care of a few basic precautions this kind of furniture is extremely low maintenance.

Moisture:

Moisture is the one factor that you have to consider when buying furniture and maintaining it. In a humid environment, furniture will swell and even warp; if not cleaned regularly, it can develop mold. If you live in a humid area and have the benefit of a dehumidifier, you should normally not have any kind of problem with your Amish furniture, as long are you are within the 35% to 45% range. This is especially true for quarter sawn white oak Amish furniture which will work for you even without the benefit of a dehumidifier. Because of the way the wood is sawn in this kind of furniture, there is very little chance of the kind of cracking or warping that can happen in the case of moisture damage to wood furniture.

Sunlight:

The one factor that is likely to cause the most damage to your precious furniture is sunlight. Direct rays of the sun can cause considerable damage to furniture, drying and cracking it, and aging it well before its time, even shortening its life span. Remember waxes and polishes will not be proof against the elements when it comes to your furniture, so it is best that the furniture be kept away from direct sunlight as well as a source of any strong heat.

Cleaning and Protection:

Whenever possible, try to use coasters or mats to try and minimize spillage, heat damage and other scratches and marks on the furniture. Regular cleaning will also help avoid the formation of mold on the surface of the furniture. Remember dust can also cause scratches on your furniture so avoid those with regular and proper cleaning. A slightly damp cloth will collect the dust better. After all prevention is always better than cure!

Dust attracts moisture so regular dusting and cleaning will take care of most of the maintenance of your Amish handcrafted furniture. If very dirty, the furniture can be washed off with soap, water and a soft sponge. Abrasive items such as hard brushes should be avoided which may damage the patina of the furniture.

When decorative and other items are placed on the surface of the furniture, they can form rings or cause discolorations, so they should be moved or rotated regularly so that this is avoided.

Oiling of the furniture may often not even be necessary, but it is recommended that lemon oil be used for Amish oak furniture from time to time so that your furniture maintains its quality over the years.

The author is a well known home improvement expert. She swears by Amish furniture. It is strong and very durable. She recently purchased new dining furniture and a coffee table.