Sourcing antique and reclaimed furniture is a truly special way to build a characterful home. One of the joys of having an antique or reclaimed piece is its weathered appearance. Which only adds to its unique charm. However, once you’ve fallen in love with a piece of vintage furniture, it’s important that you care for it, to keep it looking its best for many years to come!

 

 

Keeping Wooden Reclaimed Furniture Looking Lovely

A gorgeous natural material, wood brings warmth to the home. An added benefit to reclaimed or repurposed wood is its unique appeal, with its individual markings and characterful wear and tear from its previous life. When giving antique pieces a new home, it’s important to care for your wood, helping it continue to stand the test of time. For helpful advice and handy tips, keep reading…

Wood Wax

The best tip for looking after your reclaimed wooden furniture is applying wood wax. This is because wax nourishes the wood and prevents water from getting into the surface, a thick coat every other month will keep your wooden furniture looking healthy all year round.

All you need is an old rag and some elbow grease, rub the wax gently along the grain of the wood, leave for 30 minutes and then lightly buff away any excess.

Daily Maintenance

For daily maintenance, simply dust over your antique furniture with a dry cloth. In the unfortunate event of a spillage, try to clean it up quickly with a cloth and water, this will help prevent staining. For a deeper clean, use a natural non-toxic cleaning solution – try not to use sprays with chemicals in as these can damage the surface of the wood and spoil its natural beauty.

Caring for Decorative Antiques

Vintage and antique treasures naturally age over time. Well-loved objects often have a unique look that we shouldn’t try to change. Though sometimes they need a bit of extra care to keep them looking beautiful. Here are our tips on caring for decorative antiques:

Everyday Care

When displaying decorative antiques in your home try to keep them out of direct sunlight as exposure to light fades most materials. Water can damage antiques, so do try to keep them in a dry, ventilated place to avoid them getting damp. Vintage furniture is often made from sturdy natural materials, for example wood and therefore can withstand regular use, but for especially old and more delicate items do make sure to handle with care.

Keeping Clean

Generally, antique accessories and decorations can sit quite happily for a long time without causing too much fuss. For instance, when it comes to sprucing them up, dusting off with a dry cloth is the perfect pick-me-up. For build-ups of dust or grime, try gently cleaning with warm water and a damp cloth. If a serious clean is needed, use a natural cleaning solution and a light hand. We always recommend doing a little test first as it would be a shame to lose any of the beautiful aged details.

 

 

In Case of Emergency

Always be careful when using high-street cleaning products on your vintage furniture and decorative accessories. Because products designed specifically for modern furniture may be too harsh, and damage the beautiful effect created over time. Make sure to read the label and check if the product is suitable for your item before applying. It’s also important to start with a small area as a trial. In addition, if your furniture needs emergency care, it’s best to consult a professional.

 

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