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How to protect/clean a antique harvest table
Here is my new harvest table that we bought at an antique market, but we dont know what the top is finished with if anything and we would really like to know how to maintain it and *clean* it without ruining it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rays/3114840678/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rays/3114840678/
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Step
1
Position your antique furniture so it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade fabrics and cause some finishes to become cloudy or yellow with time. Hang sheers or curtains in windows to help filter the light.
Step
2
Keep your antique piece away from air-conditioning and heat vents, ovens or fireplaces, as all dry the glue and joints. Also, don't store your antique furniture in hot rooms, such as attics.
Step
3
Control the moisture in the air. If you have central heating, chances are that your house is dry in winter. Install a humidifier to add some moisture to the air. If you live in an area that has a great deal of humidity, and where mold grows easily, a dehumidifier works to decrease the moisture in the air.
Step
4
Look for insects such as termites and powder post beetles that can bore holes into your antique furniture. Small rodents also can be drawn to the fillings in some antique furniture.
Step
5
Clean your antique furniture regularly with a soft dusting cloth. Moisten the cloth and keep changing sides as you swipe the surface, so as to avoid scratches made by small dust and dirt particles.
Step
6
Apply thin coats of furniture wax when needed. Use small amounts and rub with a soft cloth onto the surface in a circular fashion. When the wax is dry, about 15 minutes, buff the surface with a cloth to create a shiny look.
Step
7
Carry antique furniture properly. Always move chairs by their seat rails and tables by their legs. Heavy pieces should be lifted, never pushed.
USE GOOD QUALITY MINERAL OIL -BUT PLEASE CHECK IT OUT WITH SOME ANTIQUE DEALER FIRST AS A MISTAKE MAY RUIN THE FURNITURE!!!!!!
here is some proffesional help-------http://www.prlog.org/10112805-caring-for-your-antique-furniture.html
1
Position your antique furniture so it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade fabrics and cause some finishes to become cloudy or yellow with time. Hang sheers or curtains in windows to help filter the light.
Step
2
Keep your antique piece away from air-conditioning and heat vents, ovens or fireplaces, as all dry the glue and joints. Also, don't store your antique furniture in hot rooms, such as attics.
Step
3
Control the moisture in the air. If you have central heating, chances are that your house is dry in winter. Install a humidifier to add some moisture to the air. If you live in an area that has a great deal of humidity, and where mold grows easily, a dehumidifier works to decrease the moisture in the air.
Step
4
Look for insects such as termites and powder post beetles that can bore holes into your antique furniture. Small rodents also can be drawn to the fillings in some antique furniture.
Step
5
Clean your antique furniture regularly with a soft dusting cloth. Moisten the cloth and keep changing sides as you swipe the surface, so as to avoid scratches made by small dust and dirt particles.
Step
6
Apply thin coats of furniture wax when needed. Use small amounts and rub with a soft cloth onto the surface in a circular fashion. When the wax is dry, about 15 minutes, buff the surface with a cloth to create a shiny look.
Step
7
Carry antique furniture properly. Always move chairs by their seat rails and tables by their legs. Heavy pieces should be lifted, never pushed.
USE GOOD QUALITY MINERAL OIL -BUT PLEASE CHECK IT OUT WITH SOME ANTIQUE DEALER FIRST AS A MISTAKE MAY RUIN THE FURNITURE!!!!!!
here is some proffesional help-------http://www.prlog.org/10112805-caring-for-your-antique-furniture.html
This is the best answer.
Tip mrnemo for this comment
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Get a piece of glass cut to fit and throw it on top. That way you can view the beautiful patina and not worry about messing anything up with different chemical sealants. You might want to specifically get a type of glass with a UV film on it so natural sunlight doesn't bleach it out at all.
A good idea, but we replaced our glass table with this one for a more natural look so I don't think we are too keen on putting much on top of it.
That's a beautiful piece! I'd use Murphy's Oil Soap. It's made for wood and will clean it without drying it out. Then follow up by rubbing in linseed oil.
However, if it is a very rare piece, you'll destroy the value by cleaning it well or refinishing it. You might want to check with an antique dealer first. If it's barely an antique (like 30 years old) then by all means clean it, especially if you're going to use it to eat on!
However, if it is a very rare piece, you'll destroy the value by cleaning it well or refinishing it. You might want to check with an antique dealer first. If it's barely an antique (like 30 years old) then by all means clean it, especially if you're going to use it to eat on!
It was dated in the 1890's purley by the way it was made so yeah we dont want to devalue it but we also dont want water rings either :) And thanks, we really love it.
As with wood butcher blocks, use mineral oil to seal the wood and prevent drying and splitting. Mineral oil is available in grocery stores in the same section as over-the-counter medications.
Beautiful table!
I would suggest getting a very good quality mineral oil to apply to the table, as this will strengthen the integrity of the wood and make it more impervious to damage.
I would suggest getting a very good quality mineral oil to apply to the table, as this will strengthen the integrity of the wood and make it more impervious to damage.
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