Enjoying your purchases
We believe fine furniture was meant to be used and enjoyed. For a long, long time. So here are some suggestions to keep your furniture and accessories looking their best.
First of all, there’s no such thing as a miracle, cleans-one-cleans-all product or method for taking care of dust, fingerprints, drips and spills. But there are ways to keep cleaning simple and save time and effort.
Wood and veneer:
Knowledge is power. And prevention. Ask a HorseFeathersHome Associate about the type of wood and finish (wax, lacquer, urethane, original or refinished, etc.) when you’re in the store – especially with older pieces.
When buying cleaning products for dusting or polishing, check the label to make sure it’s specifically made for the finish of your furniture. The wrong product might dull or damage the finish.
Also, temperature and humidity both affect the longevity and condition of wood furniture, whether antique or new. For instance, antique furniture kept in an unwinterized cottage may crack due to cold or very low humidity.
Metal finishes:
Metal finishes are durable and long-lasting when cared for
properly. As with wood finishes, cleaners and polishes for metal are often specific to the type of metal or metal plate of the item. Always check the label before you start.
Unlike wood, metal finishes are rarely affected by fluctuations in temperature or humidity, but beware: there is virtually no way to protect your metal finish from rust or discolouration in very high humidity or prolonged contact with water.
Glass:
Glass is generally easy to care for and most commercial glass cleaning products are safe to use. A weak solution of white vinegar and water is also effective.
However, some types of glass are delicate and may not be dishwasher-safe. Also, some coloured glass can be damaged by cleaners containing ammonia. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lucite, plastics and synthetics:
Never use glass cleaner or abrasive cleaners on plastics. Plastics of any kind can usually be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. And although plastics are durable, surface scratches may occur with use.
Masonry, concrete, ceramics and brick:
Most garden accessories, such as urns, fountains and planters, can be left outside year-round to dramatic effect, if some simple precautions are taken.
Concrete and ceramic pieces left outside should be treated with a sealer to protect them from precipitation.
For winter, fountains and planters in particular should be drained of water in the fall to prevent cracking due to freezing. And don’t forget the fountain’s water pump – make sure it’s drained, or bring it inside.
For more delicate pieces, it’s best to take them inside for winter storage.
Sun damage:
Sun damage occurs in two forms: fading and drying.
Although most fabrics will fade to some degree over time, most modern upholstery fabrics are blends that use dyes which fade very little, or so slightly as to go unnoticed. Some specialized lines, such as Sunbrella®, are specifically designed and featured for their resistance to fading.
Susceptible fabrics would be cottons, linens, and especially silks – they will be damaged by direct sunlight, so bear this in mind when positioning furniture outdoors or near windows, or use sun screens as part of your window treatments.
Leathers can also be sun damaged, resulting in fading and cracking if not protected. Again, most manufacturers now pre-treat their leathers, but it may be worthwhile protecting older pieces with a leather conditioner.
And of course the “better safe than sorry” rule applies to older collectible pieces where wood, paint, fabric, leather and some finishes were used. |
