Whether a vintage lace wedding dress, an engagement ring your great-grandfather gave your great-grandmother, the piano that has been in your family for generations, or an intricately carved armoire that has been in your grandmother?s attic for years, family heirlooms are worth the extra effort it takes to maintain these treasured antiques.
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?Unique and antique pieces handed down from generations both require and deserve careful handling due to their age. However, a lot of care and craftsmanship went into the making these pieces, improving their durability, and items like antique furniture stand up well to the test of time, so that a well-cared for piece of antique furniture can still be a functional centerpiece to your home.
?If you are looking to incorporate antique furniture into your home, regardless of whether it is an heirloom or a piece you picked up at an estate sale, here are some tips on how to store, care, and clean it.
?How To Store Antique Furniture
Upon receiving your antique pieces, quickly inspect the item for insect or pest infestation. Organic materials like wood, leather, and fabric can be host to a number of insect and insect larvae. Look for exit holes and fine sawdust under the furniture in question. If you identify an infestation, contact a professional who specializes in delousing antique furniture immediately and isolate the piece so as to not infect other pieces in your house.
When you add antique furniture to the room, you need to consider the location of the item. Antique pieces are damaged by ultraviolet light as it can turn clear finishes opaque and fades fabrics. Place your antique away from the window and make sure no direct sunlight will reach it. Also avoid arranging the furniture near any heat or cooling source like vents, radiators, or fireplaces. Constant change in temperature can cause rapid shrinking and expanding in the wood, and damage joints, inlays, veneers, and marquetry.
Similarly, humidity also can affect expansion and contraction of wood, and potentially cause mold or rot to grow on antique fabrics. Try to keep the humidity in a room with antique furniture constant using a humidifier/dehumidifier.
Even if the piece originated from your grandmother?s attic, it is not recommended that you continue to store a piece in the attic or the basement due as those parts of the home are most susceptible to extremes in temperature (and the basement is prone to high levels of humidity which can lead to rot and warped wood).
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How To Repair and Clean Antique Furniture
Ideally, you should seek the services restorer, conservator, or antique specialist to address major and minor repairs and cleaning issues. For the restoration, rebuilding, or general tuning of grandfather clocks, pianos, and other pieces with intricate mechanics, you should call in a professional instead of attempting to do it yourself. Someone who is extremely knowledgeable not only about the instrument or item, but also of the different variations throughout the centuries would be better suited to address the mechanical details.
Also, as the furniture is very old, it is unlikely that many of the tools and materials needed for repair are readily available. If a part of the furniture comes loose, or falls off, be sure to save it, as replacements can be very hard to find. At the very least, consult an expert prior to attempting to repair the furniture yourself.
The patina and patterns of wear found on historic furniture can be as important as the piece itself, so it is not recommended that you attempt stripping and refinishing the piece without consulting a professional.
An expert should also handle delicate fabrics. Modern cleaners and detergents can be too harsh for antique fabrics and may destroy the intricate woven patterns and stitching.
However, light cleaning of the wood is something that you can, and should do, to maintain historic wood furniture in good shape. A common misconception is that wood needs oil to maintain moisture and will help it maintain its finish. However, while furniture oils do temporarily enhance the pieces? appearance, over time, the oil will degrade the finish and leave a built-up residue that attracts dust. Avoid silicone based polishes as they can penetrate the finish and affect future repairs.
Instead of oil, maintain the finish on your antique furniture with a coat of furniture paste wax. Stable and long lasting, though not permanent, the wax protects the wood from moisture and dust. Apply a thin coat of wax once a year, dusting with a damp, soft cloth the rest of the year. However, for furniture with finishes that is deteriorating, consult an antiques expert prior to applying the wax, as it can be more harmful than beneficial.
With careful arrangement, and the services of a professional on hand, the antique pieces you?ve inherited or purchased can be gorgeous showstoppers in your home and become heirlooms for generations to come.
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from Los Angeles who?s work covers everything from tech, health, real estate, and manufacturing. She owns several peices of antique furniture and has learned how to care for them properly through her association with davidandersonpianos.
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