Wood Furniture Care

Most wood furniture care begins with dusting. But did you know that certain polishes are bad for some types of wood furniture? Here's a house cleaning service you have to get right!

To maintain the beauty of your clients' wood furniture, there are some basic maintenance routines to follow. Check with the customer first to be sure that none of their wood pieces require special care, and that there are no special instructions. Finished and raw wood furniture require different techniques.

Finished Wood Furniture Care

The majority of your wooden furniture will be smooth and finished. That means that it has some kind of a sealer on the wood. To keep finished wooden furniture looking its best, follow these simple techniques:

• Remove all dust and dirt from the furniture by using a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the surface. There are various textured cloths available that hold the dust in the rag, and these work very well; however, a plain soft cloth works as well. It's not recommended that you use feather dusters, as these tend to simply shift the dust around, rather than remove it.
  
• Clean away any spills or stains on the surface with a general multipurpose cleaner and a damp rag. Allow the surface to dry completely.
• Apply a furniture polish specifically designed for wood furniture. This is a very important step, as it leaves the furniture shiny and beautiful. Not only does it increase the attractiveness, it also helps prevent further dust build-up and protects the wood against spills and stains.
• Don't spray the polish directly onto the surface; instead, spray it onto a soft, clean, dry cloth, and buff it into the wood using a circular motion.

NOTE: Don't use furniture polish with silicone in it. Silicone oil can penetrate the furniture finish and degrade it over time. Also silicone in furniture polish will make the furniture feel slimy, or greasy.

Raw Wood Furniture Care

You may run across some rustic pieces that have a rough feel. These items cannot be dusted and polished like a smooth piece, so different techniques are required. Running a soft cloth over a rough piece of wooden furniture won't remove much dust, and you'll end up with splinters stuck in your cloth. Instead, use a soft bristled brush. Keep the brush dry, and run in back and forth over the surface and side of the piece. Take care not to scrub too hard to avoid scratching the piece or removing bits of bark that may be desirable to your client. For very rough pieces, you can also use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. Rough or raw wood furniture does not require polish of any kind.

Whether in a business or a home, shining dust-free furniture looks great. Your clients will be sure to appreciate the extra care you've taken in their wood furniture care, and a satisfied customer is a repeat customer!

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