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Preserving Antique Wooden Items

Antique, a word suggesting quality, has always been associated with the collectors of art. Today, collectors of fine antiques come from all walks of life. We are all attracted to fine things, including antique furniture and other antique wooden items. The beautiful pearl-studded chest, the wooden trinket box that you picked up on your last visit to India (that belonged to a Mughal Queen!) or that “oh so antique looking” armchair! . We all wish to display antiques in our homes. They add that extra touch of elegance and style. Everything that looks antique, however, is not antique. In the U.S, furniture over 100 years old is usually referred to as Antique.

It ‘s all very well to indulge yourself by buying that beautiful wooden chest, but if you also wish to pass on this antique wooden item to future generations, learn to preserve it in the same condition it was in when you first bought it. It is essential that you store, display and handle your antique wooden items with extra care. Antique furniture cannot be handled as carelessly as modern furniture. Glues dry out; as does the wood in antique furniture without proper handling. It is a pity that every year, in thousands of homes, wonderful pieces of art are destroyed due to sheer ignorance and lack of caution.

The ‘Enemies’ of Your Antique

In order to learn how to preserve your antique wooden items, you should first familiarize yourself with the various causes of damage so you can avoid them. Below are a few precautions to take when handling these antique wooden items.
? Be extra careful when moving your antique wooden furniture. Remove all substances (even a piece of jewellery or watch) that may scratch the furniture. Also, avoid dragging your furniture. This action can weaken the glue.
? Wood is sensitive to light. Never place your antique wooden items in direct, bright light.
? Avoid placing the wooden items near sources of heat, and keep a check on the humidity level (a light meter and a hygrometer are good investments, in this regard).
? Check your wooden furniture at regular intervals to detect any signs of insect infestation. If infested, isolated the piece immediately and get it examined by a wood conservator.

Preserving ‘Heirlooms’

Care that begins at Home: The first step in the preservation of antique wooden items is the thorough cleaning of the items. Though extensive cleaning should be left to a professional, one can remove the dust by using a soft brush. Wet cleaning is not recommended for unfinished surfaces. For finished products, you may use a dilute detergent (the strength should ideally be 1% detergent in distilled water). Use a soft cloth to cleaning the surface. Cotton balls are also affective for cleaning. Rinse off the detergent with a soft cloth or cotton balls. After washing, wipe the surface clean with a soft dry cloth. Make sure that no residues of the detergent or moisture are left on the surface.

Commercial products that help: one of the most useful products available for the care of antique wooden items is a fine quality beeswax polish. Ideal for use once a year, beeswax polish should be used in small quantities and applied with a soft cloth. Silicone based furniture wax is also recommended for this purpose (. A cleaning or polishing mitt is ideal for polishing wooden items. Other than beeswax and silicone based polishes, a huge array of other products are available in the market for the care of antique wooden items. The range includes oils, waxes, and sprays (Stanley Wood Master Oil Soap, Potpourri Fine Furniture Oil, Stanley Furniture Cream). For use of the chemical sprays, spray triggers are often separately available. Soft brushes are also good to dust away loose dust particles from your wooden furniture

Last, but definitely not the Least

?Never tamper with the original finish of your antique wooden item. This finish is important to the historical value of your antique.
? Accidental damage should be repaired as quickly as possible. Always seek out a qualified furniture or wood conservator to help care for antique wooden items.

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