Caring For Older Furniture
 
Antique Wood Furniture--Care and Cleaning

For antiques with original finish. 

Care
Avoid extremes of humidity and temperature, which accelerate cracking and checking of finish, and loosen joints and veneer. Do not set beverage glasses, vases of flowers, etc. on surfaces without coaster or mat protection. 
 
Cleaning
Vacuum or dust with a soft cloth. Occasionally use a cloth just barely dampened with solvent-based cleaning wax to wipe the surface to pick up more dust, and immediately wipe with a dry cloth or soft paper towel. Do not use spray waxes and polishes on surfaces as they will leave a higher gloss and some silicone which may make future refinishing more difficult. 
 
Waxing
Occasionally wax with paste (carnauba and/or beeswax) wax. Rub on a very light coat with a soft cloth with the grain of the wood (or put a lump of wax inside a few layers of folded cheesecloth and rub onto wood thus preventing heavy smears); then buff at once with soft cloth, turning often, until wax coating is hard. (Old cotton tee-shirts are good.) Be sure all wax is completely buffed until hard to avoid smears and streaks. Here a small electric polisher is a great "arm-saver" on all smooth surfaces; wipe surface gently with clean soft cloth after applying wax to remove any loosened soil and then let set several minutes (following wax label directions) before power buffing. An occasional re-buffing will renew the soft gloss. Paste wax helps cover small cracks and checks in old finishes, and can easily be removed with solvent when desired.  
 
Damaged Finish
Howard's Restor-A-Finish is a unique finish-penetrating formula that restores the original color and luster to the finish while blending out minor scratches and blemishes. Restor-A-Finish permanently eliminates white heat rings, water marks, scratches, color fade, oxidation, smoke damage, ect. Restore-A-Finish cleans the surface and restores the finish in one step – without removing any of the existing finish. 
 
Treat Scratches, Nicks and Abrasions with Howard's Restor-A-Finish works best when you apply it with a small pad of toweling, or for severe white wings and crazing, with super fine (0000) steel wool. 

NOTE: Refinished antiques should be treated according to type of finish as described in other sections. Since old finishes may be affected by cleaning treatments, always test the first time on any inconspicuous place on furniture to be sure it is compatible with finish. Generally, the above treatments are satisfactory.