To protect your furniture investment, the

experts at Furniture Medic recommend the following Furniture Tips:


  • Cleaning and polishing your wood furnishings on a regular basis will help to extend the life of the finish on your furniture.

  • Build-up of dust, dirt and food particles will attract foreign contaminates on your wood surfaces. This accelerates the deterioration of the finish by weakening and softening it.

  • Thoroughly clean your wood furniture and cabinets after heavy use. For example, clean the wood in your kitchen after extensive cooking, as large amounts of dirt and dust may have settled on the wood.

  • If you have older or antique furniture, use an oil-based cleaning product, which will help clean and condition the wood. We recommend using an oil-based cleaner approximately once per month.

  • Polish furniture with newer finishes approximately once per week. Many furniture polishes contain a high percentage of silicone. Silicone-based polishes can seep through the finish into the wood, which may cause permanent damage over time. Silicone may also raise the sheen off the original finish and damage the wood.

  • Dust frequently with a clean, damp, (not wet) 100% cotton cloth.

  • Clean up spills immediately using a blotting action, not a wiping action.

  • Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight. It will cause the finish to fade and crack.

  • Arrange furniture directly away from radiators and heating and cooling vents.

  • Avoid extreme change in humidity. This can cause warping and cracking.

  • Do not place plastic or rubber objects on the wood. Some rubbers and plastic can melt into the finish, leaving residue and can also soften the finish.

  • Protect the surface using trivets or table pads, particularly when placing heated surfaces on the wood.

  • To prevent water rings, always make coasters easily accessible. One of the best coasters to use is one made of wood that is felt or cork underneath and has an absorbent material to rest the glass on. Metal coasters tend to sweat on to the table, and the chemicals in a plastic coaster may react with the high tech finishes used on furniture.