How to Take Care of Wood Furniture: The Basics

November 2nd, 2009

1300 islington master bedroom2a

Wood furniture is loved for its beautiful colors and patterns, offering at least a bit of connection with Mother Nature. Additionally, quality wooden furniture can last for generations with an almost unchanged appearance. The price for this beauty is regular maintenance needs.

General Care

There are few rules, which can be applied to all kinds of wood furniture. The most important one is simple – wood hates humidity. Therefore, don’t use wet cloths to clean wood surfaces; instead use a soft cloth or vacuum cleaner with small brush. Immediately clean and dry all spills. Try to avoid placing the furniture in a room where the humidity is too high, too low, or the temperature changes too often; similarly, placing your prized antique table next to a heater is not the best idea.

Hardwood or Softwood Furniture?

October 18th, 2009

dining chair

All of you most likely know that there is hardwood and softwood furniture. But if you think the hardness is the feature which distinguishes them, you are wrong. The actual difference is a bit more complicated.

The names hardwood/softwood probably come from logging camps, where it used to be given to wood types based on their resistance to sawing. While generally it is true that most hardwoods are harder than softwoods, there are exceptions, such as balsa, which is classed as hardwood but is actually softer than any softwood out there.