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Should Auld Furniture Be Forgot? Well, the party's over - we won't do that for another 1,000 years. But how well has the furniture survived? Pushing the table into the corner and pulling out the
musical chairs did put some strain on the joints - the furniture's. We'll
carry it in the future, and, in the meantime, repair the damage. Uncle
Harry's, lunge unbalanced his chair; it could warp permanently if not
straightened now. White glue will do the job, after the joints are cleaned.
And while we've got the glue out, we can stick down the loose inlay that
caught Aunt Bea's tassel. An empty bottle might do for a weight until it
dries, with waxed paper to isolate it from any excess glue. It's also time to move that table away from the window. Solar radiation will discolour the wood and damage the finish. The heat will cause the wood to dry out, too. Like partying relatives, wooden furnishings are sensitive to available moisture. If it's too dry, wood shrinks and begins to crack...too much humidity, and it swells and may become warped. Potted plants should also be moved off the sideboard. Misting the leaves creates a humid micro-environment, and there's always the danger of a spill when watering. Luckily, the vase on the piano hasn't leaked yet. (Not that a waterproof mat underneath would have helped when Max started tossing roses at Cousin Louisa.) Despite all the coasters, a few cups were left for auld lang syne. We'll try a little boiled linseed oil rubbed into the white ring, vigorously wiping off the excess. For the water marks on furniture with a shellac finish (e.g., French Polish), rub in the direction of the grain with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol. Everything else will need a good dusting. Perhaps this is the millennium to resolve to hem the dust cloths - loose veneer is so easily snagged. And while the feather duster did make a lovely hat for Aunt Dolores, it's not suitable for dusting furniture - the spines can break and scratch the finish. The patina of a well-used antique is of esthetic and historic value, like the laugh-lines on an aged aunt. Valuable heirlooms should be merely wiped with a slightly dampened cloth. But those old chairs Freddy unearthed would benefit from a pick-me-up. Second-hand furniture can be cleaned with a 40:1 mixture of warm water and vinegar or warm water and ammonia. Wipe it on with a damp cloth and quickly dry with a clean cloth. Sticky old wax can hold dust in corners. It can be removed with a little mineral spirits (e.g., Shellsol, Varsol). Before the next celebration begins, we should think about waxing those pieces that receive a lot of use. But we will abandon silicone-based sprays, lemon oil and other oils with the excesses of the past - they can interact with existing finishes. A little clear paste wax will enhance the shine of an already polished surface while providing some protection against scratches and moisture. Apply as thin a coat as possible, and polish well with a soft cloth. We won't overdo it, though. Three or four times a year is enough partying for any old furniture. For more information or advice on this topic, please contact your local museum, art gallery or archives. |
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