Are antiques your thing? Here are some of the best tips to help you care for your antique beauties and fix them if needed. Also, check out Fireside Antiques for the best deals on antiques.
Pick The Right Tools
● Always use the right tools for the right task. Improvising doesn’t usually work as the aim is to preserve them as they are.
Clean The Right Way
● If you are making use of
rattan, wicker, or wood surfaces, here are some cleaning tips you can use.
First, make use of a commercial oil-based cleaner. If this doesn’t do the
trick, try liquid soap and warm water. Don’t allow the wood to get too wet and
when you are done, wipe the surface of your furniture with a soft cloth that is
dry and clean.
● You can use solvents such
as mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, or turpentine. Use one old towel to
apply the solvent and use another to wipe it fully.
● If you are caring for a piece of antique and upholstered
furniture, there are some things that you must know. For one, the furniture
must be vacuumed regularly. This is to protect the antique from dust and even
pests.
● You can put a fine mesh
cloth at the top of the nozzle when dealing with antique furniture. This way,
any pieces that are loose are made safer.
● When dealing with or
treating antique furniture, you might have to make use of linseed oil. However,
if you do not do this properly, you risk damaging your furniture. Here is the
right way to do it: First, boil the linseed oil. Make use of cloth that has no
lint to clean and rub the wood deeply until it can’t suck up any more oil. The
wood should look very vibrant. Be sure to rub off excess oil. Next, leave the wood
to dry overnight. Do this every day for seven days. Remember that it is very
important that the wood dries overnight.
Dealing With Infestations
● If you’re dealing with wormwood in your antiques, you must act fast. Take the furniture apart gently. Remember to treat only the unfinished surfaces. If you have any furniture that has been waxed, painted, polished, lacquered, or vanished. Next, get a hypodermic syringe and inject the wood with insecticide. Inject only the holes and get deep in. When the treatment is done, fill the holes with soft inert wax.
Marked Antiques?
● If your antique has tiny burn marks from something like a cigarette, consider cutting the burn out and refilling with hard-colored wax.
● If you have a case of wax spilled on antiques, you have your work cut out for you. If the wax is hot, it can be wiped off instantly. Simply get out a cloth. However, if the wax was poured some time ago and is now hard, put some crushed ice in a sealable plastic bag. Place the ice on the spilled wax for ten minutes. You should now be able to remove the wax with a blunt and safe object.
● Ink stains are one problem that you could encounter with antique furniture. There are a handful of things you can try to get out of an ink stain although pure results aren’t always guaranteed. The first method is to make use of vinegar and cotton wool. If that doesn’t work, try lemon and salt on cotton wool. Remember to rub the cotton wool on the stain very gently.
Final Thoughts?
Caring for antique furniture is definitely not easy. Remember to research thoroughly before trying anything new. You can consult professionals for help to give your antique pieces the best care. If you want your antiques to live long and fulfilled lives, ensure that you use the right procedures for the right problems.
