When you buy high quality wood furniture, you expect it to last a lifetime, and get as much use out of it as possible. With furniture like ours, that's easy to do! Our furniture is surely keeping up its half of the bargain by standing still and looking pretty for years and years to come, but you also need to do yours. Taking care of wood furniture isn't hard, just something to keep in mind. If you want your investment of gorgeous wood furniture to last long and stay strong, just keep reading this guide to wood care. 

Clean it up

The first task we have for you is a simple one, just dust! Yes, yes, your mother was right. Although it seems like its not a big deal, a lack of dusting creates worn, dull surfaces over the years. In addition to this, a buildup of dust accumulated in the crevices of your wood will eventually become hard to remove, making the wood look less attractive than when first purchased. Dusting is a really quick and easy thing you should frequently do to keep your wood in tip-top condition, but there are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind…

• DO: Use a clean, washable cloth made of soft, lint-free cotton
• DO: Try using old T-shirts, diapers, cheesecloths, dish towel, piece of flannel, or chamois
• DON'T: Use cloth with snaps, buttons, zippers, or thick seams that may risk scratching the furniture
• DON'T: Use cloth with hanging threads and unraveled edges that could catch on the wood, molding, knobs or anything loose
• DON'T: Use a feather duster because it will move dust around…Feather dusters also aren't as thorough and gentle on the wood as the other methods we suggest
• DON'T: Use water to clean unless being extremely careful. Wood that gets wet or soaked can swell, warp, or stain, if the water penetrates the finish. DO: Use coasters, pads, cloths, or runners to protect against all sorts of water damage (see below for details on using water while cleaning wood)
• DON'T: Slide lamps and objects to dust under and around them. DO: Lift these objects off the wood to avoid any unnecessary damage.

We did just warn you about using water on your wood surfaces, but used carefully it can be helpful when cleaning wood furniture. Varying person-to-person, some people prefer to steer away from dry cloths because they are slightly more abrasive and may dull the finish when used constantly. A dry cloth doesn't always pick up as much dust as possible either. We recommend spraying a few drops of water onto the dust cloth before use. Moisten it just enough to make dust adhere, yet not so damp that the wood will remain wet or damp after use (if water marks are left visible on the wood, the cloth is too wet). Wipe the dust away using oval motions, going with the grain of the wood. When you notice the cloth getting dirtier, turn it or fold it over to get a clean swipe. Now if you're one for a gentle wood cleaner rather than plain water, check out this blog post here with ideas on creating your own cleaner so you know exactly what you're putting on your nice new wood furniture.

Polishing it All Off

Polishing wood furniture isn't as vital as keeping things clean with proper dusting technique, but many people prefer to use them– especially with specific wood furnitures.

• DO: Use the same type of polish consistently DON'T: Switch up the polish– If oil-based and wax-based polishes are interchanged, furniture may gain a cloudy or streaky texture.
• DO: Check out some DIY recipes for creating wood polish that saves you money and hassle
• DO: Know the ingredients in your polish or wax, and avoid harsh chemicals

Now that you have all the inside tips and tricks on keeping your wood vibrant and good as new, check out our latest post on the best and worst conditions for your furniture.