It will need much more than a deep clean. The bad news is that it typically means that your antique wood furniture piece will be more challenging to clean. When the Finish Dissolves: Basically, this means that the wood has a shellac finish. What Do the Test Results Indicate?ĭissolve or not dissolve: what does it mean? Let’s break it down. Does the wood finish dissolve or does it remain the same and unchanged? What happens here can reveal a lot about your next cleaning steps. Step Three: Notice how the wood reacts to the denatured alcohol. Remember to choose an area that is rarely seen, such as the back or bottom. Step Two: Rub the cotton swab over a small area of the antique furniture piece. ![]() ![]() Now, dip the cotton swab into the denatured alcohol, letting the fibers soak in the liquid a bit. Step One: Wearing the gloves, pour a minimal amount of denatured alcohol into a metal bowl or disposable cup. With your gathered supplies, it’s time to test the wood finish of your antique furniture. ![]() Why does this matter? It prevents other agents and artificial fibers from sticking to the wood. However, make sure the cotton swab is made of 100 percent cotton. Protect your hands with a pair of gloves and wash your hands thoroughly directly after using them.Ĭotton Swabs: Grab a cotton swab or two from your bathroom. Protective Gloves: Since denatured alcohol is toxic and can be absorbed through the skin, you should avoid touching the solvent directly. Be mindful when using this substance and test your antique furniture in a well-ventilated area. In other words, denatured alcohol is an excellent solvent for cleaning. Denatured alcohol is basically ethanol with a few extra ingredients that make it a more aggressive substance. Find the Perfect Types of Trim for Your Project Wood Finish Testing Suppliesĭenatured Alcohol: Choose denatured alcohol such as methylated spirits or a wood spirit. So, to start the process of cleaning your antique wood furniture piece, you will first need to gather some supplies to test and determine the wood finish. You could also perform a test on the back where it rests against a wall. Some good areas to test on would be inside a drawer or along the bottom of a piece. This way, if something goes unexpectedly wrong - which it shouldn’t, but just in case - it will never be noticed. However, make sure to perform the test on an inconspicuous area of the furniture. Luckily, determining the wood finish is relatively easy to do and all it takes is a quick test. Only when you know the wood finish can you begin the process of cleaning away dirt, grime and mildew that has accumulated over the years. The initial step to learning how to clean antique wood furniture is to determine the wood finish. Ready to elevate your antique furniture into a showcase-worthy piece and make it the centerpiece of a room? Let’s get started. Glad you asked! In this guide, Van Dyke’s Restorers breaks down exactly how to clean antique wood furniture, from the supplies you will need to step-by-step procedures. So how do you go about cleaning antique wood furniture? If it’s a cherished family heirloom, taking care of it and treating it with respect is probably your number one concern. Cleaning it correctly can bring out and accentuate decorative wood embellishments or reveal a majestic wood grain beneath. It can mean a difference between causing irreparable damage that decreases its value or elevating it into something truly special. ![]() Vintage Bathroom Faucets & Sink FixturesĬleaning your antique wood furniture properly is essential.Brass Handrails & Gallery Rail Hardware.Furniture Restoration Products & Supplies.Restorers Architectural Elements & Features.Wood Table Components & Table Leaf Hardware.Cabinet Knob Backplates & Backplate Hardware.Drop Pulls for Cabinets, Drawers & More.
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