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Some of the antiques in your home might have been passed down through the generations. Others you might have specifically sought out and bought. Whichever way the antique came into your home, it is important that you take care of it in the right way. You don’t want a special piece of furniture ruined just because it was mishandled. Here’s how to take care of your antiques.
Use Beeswax
Despite how easy it looks on TV, those popular spray polishes might cause more harm than good especially if you’re using them consistently. The best way to clean antique furniture is with good quality natural beeswax. Not only does it protect the original finish but the beeswax also brings out the color and grain of the wood. You just need a small amount of beeswax on a lint free cloth. Try to rub in the direction of the grain. You should only wax every couple of months. In between, frequent dusting with a clean, soft duster can help keep the piece looking great.
Handle Brass with Care
Brass mounts or handles on a piece shouldn’t be cleaned with metal cleaners. Those can damage the surrounding wood. Instead, use a light waxing with fine wire wool (0000 grade). Also, be aware that anytime you touch the brass with your fingertips, you could be transferring acid from your skin that can damage the brass.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Natural sunlight is nice for a room but an enemy to antiques. If a piece is sitting in direct sunlight then the color could fade from it over time. That is compounded if only half the item is exposed to the sun. Then you’ll have major discoloration. This doesn’t mean you have to be in the dark all the time but just thing of how you’re going to use the room. Roller sun blinds can cut the sunshine while still providing light. If you know you’re going out for the day, then close the curtains. There are also special film covers you can put on windows that block out the UV but let in the light.
If you’re adding to your antique collection, then you’ll want to put those pieces on proud display. That might mean clearing out some other furniture that would never be considered valuable antiques. This is when to call in Junk King Boston. These are the professional junk haulers who can make quick work of hauling away all your unwanted furniture and appliances. You can always count on Junk King Boston to help make more room in your home for antiques and everything else that matters.
