What Means "Maintain"?

When Greg, our middle son, was young (decades ago) every sentence started with "What Means .... ?  The phrase has stuck with me because it's a nice simple way of initiating a question. 
 
Antique furniture is well made, crafted from quality woods and, if properly maintained, will last for another two hundred years.  We don't own antiques; we're caretakers entrusted with the responsibility to preserve them for future generations.
 
Enjoyment and daily use of antiques carries a maintenance responsibility.  Periodic care, cleaning and necessary maintenance ensures that the piece will be available for generations to come.  Here are a few simple tips we've learned in nearly thirty years of answering customer questions:

 

Tables and Serving Pieces:

Our friends in England wax their kitchen table after every evening meal as part of the cleanup process.  Wow; I can't conceive of that level of dedication in the Colonies.  There are easier ways to keep your tables and serving pieces looking beautiful:

• Weekly dusting with a soft cloth is advisable.  Clean up with a barely moist soft cloth; avoid soapy water.  There is no need to "scrub" dining tables after every meal.
• Avoid commercial products like EndDust, Lemon Sudsy "whatever" and any spray product containing silicone.  Silicone attracts dust and causes a sticky mess over time.  Train housekeepers.
• Antique tables are made to be seen, used and enjoyed.  Nothing bugs me more than to walk into a home on Tuesday afternoon and see a beautiful antique table covered with pads or sheets "to protect it"; it may as well be plywood.  Leave the table exposed so you can enjoy its beauty every day.
• Place mats, trivets and coasters are made to protect finishes - use them.  Always use a hard placemat and a trivet for hot serving dishes.  This will prevent steam from damaging the table finish

Every now and then, a coat of wax adds depth, a bit of gloss and protection to the finish.  Shoot an email to mike@jeanmchale.com with a description (wood, color, type of finish) or photo of your particular piece and I will send you a cheat sheet with waxing tips.

Chests and Sideboards:

Just because a chest of drawers is 200 years old doesn't mean that you need to wrestle with sticky or jammed drawers every time you need clean boxers.  Drawer glides are maintenance items, just like tires on a car - keep them in good repair.  It could be as simple as soap or candle wax on the glides.  Or if the glides are really worn, have them replaced by a competent professional.

 

Finishes:

There are lots of home remedies for repairing finish damage - toothpaste, ashes, linseed oil and turpentine and a dozen other solutions.  The proper technique depends on the finish type and the skill of the restorer.  Unless you finished the table in the first place, protect your investment by calling a professional.

 

Chairs and 300 Pound Relatives:

Dining chairs "loosen up" periodically due to a cloddish guest or wood shrinkage caused by changes in humidity.  Repair them promptly to prevent serious damage or even injury to that cloddish guest (not necessarily a bad thing).  Unless you are a skilled craftsman with the knowledge and tools (clamps, scrapers, proper glue) call a professional.

 

Upholstered Pieces:

Who ever heard of "maintaining" upholstered furniture?  You just replace it, right?  Wrong!

 

The first step in maintaining upholstered furniture is to buy right.  Choose a quality manufacturer that has the styles you like.  Look for the good buzz words - "8 way hand tied, hardwood frame, glued and screwed" to have some assurance that it will last.  You don't need to spend $5,000 for a sofa that will last 30 years or more but you certainly won't find it for $995.  Use your head on fabrics and colors.  A creamy silk is fine for the living room (if you use it as we do ours) but certain death in a family room with kids and animals.  We have found that nubby fabrics in medium to dark colors last for years even when subjected to the inevitable spills and animals.

• Occasional professional cleaning can freshen up a tired sofa or chair. A well spent $150 gets rid of odors, some stains and can prolong the life of the piece. Better than spending $000's on a new piece.
• If the fabric is shot (or god forbid, out of fashion) and you followed Rule #1 (Buy Right), consider simply having your quality frame re-covered. It's not cheap, but better that spending $000's.
• In many cases, the frame and fabric are in good shape but the cushions are worn out. Your local upholstery shop can supply new "stuffers" that add life and comfort to that tired sofa. And, it's surprisingly inexpensive.

Your comments and questions are welcome.

 

410.763.8760 or email mike@jeanmchale.com