By its very definition, antique furniture will have been around for at least 100 years (and often a lot longer), so you’ll want to ensure it continues to stay in the best condition for hundreds more years to come.
Proper periodic dusting will help you maintain your antique or reproduction pieces and keep them looking their best in your interiors. We provide some top tips on the best ways you can do this.
Should You Clean Antique Furniture?
As a general rule, avoid cleaning antiques and if in doubt, consult an expert. But caring for antiques is important and will help you ensure the longevity of the antiques you own and ensure its value.
Approach cleaning antiques in much the same way you would approach cleaning any other high-quality furniture – with a gentle touch.
Antique furniture doesn't normally need any cleaning apart from dusting when necessary with a soft cloth or feather duster. Always be aware of any surface embellishments that match catch on the duster and get damaged or removed.
How Clean Antique Wood Furniture
Chances are the antique furniture you’re looking to clean is made from some kind of wood. Luckily, if you’re set up with the right basic equipment and a bit of know-how, cleaning antique wood is relatively easy.
Establish the Wood’s Finish
Before you do anything, you might need to establish what kind of finish your furniture has. If you don’t already know, a simple test will reveal it.
Dip a cotton bud in a small amount of denatured alcohol (i.e. a wood spirit) and apply it to a small portion of the furniture that is rarely seen.
The way the wood reacts will tell you what kind of finish has been used.
If the finish dissolves: It is likely a shellac finish which can be more challenging to clean and restore properly and will probably call for the help of a professional.
If the finish remains the same: It is probably a polyurethane, lacquer, varnish or oil finish, which are usually pretty simple to clean yourself.
For General Cleaning
Gently dust the piece with a soft, dry cotton cloth to remove any surface dust. You can do this part throughout the year as you would with contemporary furniture, just take extra care not to scratch anything.
For Day to Day Maintenance
Any spillages should be wiped off immediately with a soft cloth or kitchen towel. Once removed, wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue, the immediately dry the surface with a soft cloth.
If the surface has a dull appearance, lightly buff it with a soft non abrasive cloth made from cotton or microfibre.
Never use household detergents or bleach on antiques. Water is all you should need.
Adding a Wax
To finish off your piece after cleaning, you may choose to apply an additional wax coating to protect the wood and give it a further sheen.
Use a clean dedicated wax cloth to thinly apply your chosen wax (a beeswax furniture wax can work well). We recommend Bri-wax medium brown (P7).
Once the wax has dried and hardened down, use a second cloth to buff it to get that nice shine.
How to Clean Antique Lacquer Furniture
If you’re dealing with something like Chinese lacquer furniture, you can use the same sort of general cleaning tips stated above, ensuring you use soft cloths and gentle soaps or cleaners.
If you want to restore its shine, you can use a silicone-based polish occasionally.
Professional Cleaning & Restoration For Antique Furniture
If your furniture experiences more troublesome damage or you’re just not confident cleaning it yourself, it may be worth getting in touch with an expert. Extensive restoring and refinishing is best left to skilled craftspeople who can do your antique justice.
All of the furniture here at Indigo Antiques is lovingly handpicked and restored at our workshop in Wiltshire. This means we know every piece inside and out, so can advise you on any cleaning techniques that may be unique to your purchase.
The team uses traditional techniques and materials to ensure each of our Oriental antique pieces retains its character and heritage – we are interested in preserving the furniture and honouring its past rather than making it look brand new again.
We can provide a restoration service for Oriental antiques if you have something that needs a bit of a touch-up.
Thinking of expanding your antique furniture selection? Infuse your spaces with the charm and stunning craftsmanship of our traditional Chinese furniture and more. Whether you’re seeking a striking centrepiece or some finishing touch accessories, we stock an extensive selection from India, China, Tibet, Japan and Korea.
For a bit of inspiration, see our guide on styling Chinese furniture.
