How to Protect Wood Furniture: 20 Tips

Here at Heywood-Wakefield, our solid wood furniture is built to last, and our proprietary Amber finish offers serious protection for our furniture surfaces. We do our part—and then some—but we can't bear all the responsibility for ensuring that your wood furniture lasts for many decades and stays looking brand new. Once it arrives at your home from our factory, the care's on you. High-quality solid wood furniture, like that produced by Heywood-Wakefield, is an excellent investment. With proper care, it can last a lifetime and be passed on to the next generation. There's lots of vintage Heywood-Wakefield from the 1940s and '50s, and even decades earlier, that's still in great shape and still in use. So, while we can't actively take care of your furniture once you purchase it, we figured we could offer some advice for keeping your wood furniture safe and beautiful for years to come. Wood Furniture Care Tips

1. Be mindful of the activity in the immediate area when placing wood furniture. If it's at high risk of getting dinged or marred by heavy foot traffic, moving furniture, or other potential hazards, consider a different location.

2. Don't place wood furniture in front of or right next to heating or air conditioning vents or units, radiators, a fireplace, or directly beneath vents.

3. Protect wood furniture from extended periods in direct sunlight. Use blinds, curtains, or shades as necessary.

4. Only place high-quality wood pieces in temperature- and humidity-controlled rooms. In dry weather, use a humidifier to maintain atmospheric humidity at around 45 percent.

5. Dust the furniture frequently with a soft, slightly moistened cloth.

6. Gently clean wood furniture surfaces with a damp—not soaking wet—cloth. Use a small amount of a mild dish soap if necessary for removing dirt buildup or something sticky. If there's residual moisture on the furniture, wipe it away with a dry cloth.

7. Use a quality wood polish occasionally that's safe for use with the finish on the furniture.

8. Never use abrasive surfaces to scrub wood furniture.

9. Don't have kids or pets. Just kidding. Sort of.

10. Use padded feet under heavy and/or hard items you're placing on top of wood tables, desks, and other items.

11. Always use coasters under your cups. Refrain from spilling beverages on the furniture. If you do spill, wipe up the liquid right away with a soft cloth.

12. Avoid placing hot items directly on the furniture.

13. If you do get those hazy white marks left by mugs, hot pizza boxes, or other items, gently rub them off with a mixture of non-gel toothpaste and baking soda.

14. Don't put containers with solvents like nail polish, nail polish remover, or alcohol on the furniture. They an eat through the finish. If they do spill on the wood, blot them up right away with clean cloths.

15. Forgo placing candles on wood furniture to prevent wax dripping. Even candles fully contained in glass aren't a good idea, as the bottom can get hot.

16. For upholstered items, vacuum the fabric weekly. Use a small, lightweight, easy to manage vacuum attachment and be careful so you don't accidentally scratch the wood areas.

17. Place small decorative covers on heavily used armrests. The oils and dirt on our skin takes a toll on wood and fabric over time.

18. If you're moving the furniture around in your home, clear the path ahead of time and make sure the new location is ready ahead. Wrap blankets or towels around the wood to prevent marks from accidental bangs.

19. Securely wrap the furniture in moving blankets when you move.

20. Have a professional strip and refinish your wood furniture if you decide to do it. Don't try to do it yourself; it's too easy to mess up without the right training and equipment.