How to Take Proper Care of Your Antique Furniture

Every furniture piece that is over 100 years old is considered antique. If you have such pieces in your home, you know their immeasurable value. Not because they are expensive, but because of all the history and memories they carry. 

In fact, some antique furniture pieces have more sentimental than monetary value. However, you probably know very little about caring for such pieces. 

If that’s the case, you’re in the right place because we will share all the essential tips for caring for your antique furniture. It’s not nearly as difficult as it sounds or as you’d assume.

So, let’s dive right in.

Carefully relocate the antique furniture pieces

If, by any chance, you’re relocating your antique furniture, our tip is to do so carefully. Remember that these pieces are over a hundred years old and their parts such as legs, arms, backs, screws, and so on, tend to become loose.

If you notice that your antique furniture piece has loose parts, the best you can do is remove them, wrap them, and store them in a box. This will ensure that all pieces are safely put away in one place. Use old towels, bubble wrap, or tissue paper to wrap your antique furniture and protect it from damage.

In case you’re relocating larger, bulkier pieces, make sure they fit through doorways, hallways, and stairways. You don’t want to get stuck in any of these places because you can damage your antique furniture.

Have a professional restore it

If you think your antique furniture is in bad shape, don’t go upcycling or restoring it on your own. You may be a great DIYer but antique furniture can lose its value and integrity if not properly restored.

Instead, find professionals who do quality antique furniture restoration in Sydney and let them help you restore your pieces without damaging them or compromising their integrity.

Clean and care for your antique pieces regularly

You should dust your antique furniture regularly. In addition to that, you should also clean them with appropriate products. 

Modern furniture sprays, polishers, and oils are a big no-no when it comes to cleaning antique furniture with them. This is because all these products tend to stay on top of your furniture and leave a sticky residue that attracts dust and debris.

Ideally, you should consult with professionals who restore and take care of antique pieces. They will tell you how to properly take care of each furniture piece.

They might also warn you to be on the lookout for pests. Different insects can damage your antique furniture so finding ways to protect your pieces from them is also a good idea.

Find a good spot for antiques in your home

While taking care of and cleaning antique furniture is pretty easy, finding a good spot for them in your home can be tough. This is because antique pieces are a bit more demanding in that aspect. They are sensitive to direct sunlight light, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures. 

Humidity and fluctuating temperatures can dry out your antiques and cause them to start absorbing moisture. Whereas overexposure to light can damage the wood and upholstery of your pieces.

What this means is that you should place your antique furniture in rooms where the temperature is moderate and there is no humidity. The pieces should also be exposed to moderate natural and artificial light.  

Reduce wear and tear

Do your best to avoid situations that may lead to wear and tear on your antique furniture. This implies being careful about what you’re wearing when sitting on antique pieces, avoiding eating on antiques, and not exposing them to unnecessary light. 

Certain clothing can stain your antique upholstery, and clothing accessories and decorations such as beads, chains, and rhinestones can rip and damage the fabric.

Leaving the food on the antiques can attract insects and pests, and that’s a bad thing. 

Store your antiques properly

Sometimes instead of displaying them, you want to store your antique furniture. If that’s your case, you should know how to properly store them.

As you know now, you should avoid storing antiques in humid places such as basements, attics, or garages. Storage units are your best option for storing antique pieces.

Before storing your antique furniture, make sure you wrap each piece in bubble wrap and then cover it with breathable fabric cloths. Additionally, elevate the furniture using wooden pallets or cinder blocks to protect it from potential water seepage.

Antique Insurance

If you believe your antiques have some monetary value, get them appraised. A professional appraiser will help you find out more about your antique furniture. They will look for the manufacturer's markings, search auctions, and historical data to find out more about your pieces. If they find that your pieces are valuable, you can get them insured.

Bottom Line

As you can see, taking care of and preserving your antique furniture is easier them you have imagined. All you have to do is handle it with care and learn the proper maintenance techniques. And remember, antique furniture holds significant sentimental value.