*** Care for Older Furniture Teak Furniture ***

Older furniture that still bears its original finish and teak furniture both require special care. Regular dusting is important for antiques, so say the experts. Tools include feather dusters, wool dusters, soft cotton cloths laundered without harsh detergents, and small vacuum cleaners.

Waxing is recommended at the beginning and end of the heating season (winter), or twice a year. Changes in temperature and humidity can be very damaging to wood furniture because wood shrinks and expands in response to those changes. Waxing unfinished surfaces allows the raw wood to absorb the wax, thereby minimizing the chance that the wood will crack or the beneer will lift or separate. Wax the underside of a table as well as the unfinished interior of highboys, breakfront chinas, and other case pieces.

Teak, an oil finished product, also has special needs. Frequent dusting is important and furniture that's used fairly often may need oiling every month or two. A good recommendation is a solution of mild detergent for cleaning and tung oil (or equivalent) for restoring the sheen in dry areas.

If the teak wood looks pale and the surface feels dry, the furniture most likely needs oiling. Use a clean, soft cloth to oil the entire piece, then letting the oil sit for 3-4 hours, or better, overnight. Afterward, buff with another clean, soft cloth to remove excess oil.



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