Preserve wood furniture with TLC

1. If old furniture smells musty … Try this trick to get rid of mold spores: Paint unfinished surfaces inside drawers, on backs or under tabletops with a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach per gallon of water. Paint the finished surfaces with a new coat of thinned-down varnish or lacquer to seal in any remaining odor.

2. Rub it down. Giving wood a good massage with lemon oil or another “wood feeding” or “moisturizing ” product will help it resist damage from fluctuating temperatures and humidity and help prevent cracking or chipping.


3. Be reserved. Only treat your wood furniture three or four times a year. Too many treatments can cause a buildup that will cloud the finish. Also, don’t use too much polish for each treatment. Wipe any excess off before it dries.

4. Avoid sun damage. Keep fine wood pieces out of sunny windows. Sunlight can damage finishes on wood and fade upholstery.

5. Don’t mix it up. If you mix different kinds of polish, you may get a bad result. For example, using oil-based furniture polish over a wax can cause a gummy mess. Thoroughly clean all finish off the surface before changing products.

6. And the usual: Use coasters, wipe up spills immediately, vacuum and dust frequently.

Source: “If I Had a Hammer,” Andrea Ridout, Collins, $17.95