Reclaimed wood furniture comes to you with a history. The wood used to build this furniture used to be part of a home, barn, or other structure. It’s durable wood that has already stood the test of time. But that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Here are a few tips for keeping your reclaimed wood furniture in top condition.
Protect From Sunlight
One of the best things you can do for reclaimed wood furniture is put it in a safe location. Too much direct sunlight can cause discoloration, warping, and other wood damage. If the furniture is in a room with windows, use curtains to keep UV rays from damaging the surface.
Stabilize Temperatures
Keep the temperature as stable as possible and don’t place the furniture near a heating or cooling vent. Quick temperature changes can cause wood to shrink, split, dry-out, and swell. Also, make sure there’s always a hot pad on the table before you place a hot item there.
Guard Against Moisture
Keep moisture rings off your furniture by using coasters to protect the surface. Another important thing to consider with moisture damage is humidity. Homes often dry-out in the winter, so it’s a good idea to run a humidifier to keep the wood from getting too dry. And if the furniture is in a damp room, like some basements, consider purchasing a dehumidifier.
Clean Regularly
Like all solid-wood furniture, regular cleaning helps keep reclaimed wood from looking dull, getting scratched, and other damage. Dust furniture a least once a week with a soft, lint-free cloth that’s slightly damp. Cotton or microfiber clothes work well. You can even recycle an old cotton tee-shirt as a dusting cloth.
Avoid Harsh Cleaners
Never use harsh chemicals to clean your reclaimed wood. You’ll even want to avoid most wood-cleaners, especial if they’re silicone- or ammonia-based. Instead, invest in a high-quality wax-based furniture polish designed for solid wood. We recommend using Howard Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish and Conditioner about once a month, depending on how much you use the furniture.
Start With Quality
When you’re purchasing reclaimed wood furniture, make sure that it comes from a reputable source. If you get poor-quality wood or wood that wasn’t treated properly, no amount of up-keep will improve it. Here at Rustic + Modern, we typically use 100+ year-old long leaf pine that we source from many different deconstructed buildings in north-central Texas. Other reclaimed wood options are also available upon request. We guarantee that our reclaimed woods are just as high-quality and long-lasting as the newer woods we use.
