Wood Finish Care

Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight, as sunlight causes fading.  For example, if a dining table is displayed in the dining room and the leaves are kept under the bed, or in a closet, over time the color can shift and not match.

Do not expose wood furniture to extreme heat or humid conditions, such as placing it near a heat/air vent or an open window.  Also, fluctuating temperatures can cause wood to swell and shrink, so an environment with consistent temperature/humidity is recommended.

Wipe up spilled liquids from the surface immediately with a soft, slightly damp cloth, in the direction of the wood grain.

Avoid placing plastic or rubber materials (lamp bases, placemats, notebooks, etc.) on your furniture, as certain plastics contain ingredients that may damage the finish. Use cloth, pads or quality felt to protect the furniture surface from plastic, rubber, beverages, bookends, hot dishes, vases and flowerpots.

Periodically rotate accessories on furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all the time.

Alcohol, disinfectants, perfume, fingernail polish remover, after-shave and medications can cause severe finish damage.

Avoid using silicone waxes, lemon oils or other oily polishes.  An oily film on the furniture may cause a clouding of the finish and have a tendency to collect dust. Guardsman furniture polish or any furniture polish that doesn’t contain silicone is recommended.

Remove household dusting frequently with a clean, soft, dry, lint-free cloth.  Clean the surface by rubbing in the direction of the grain. On any products with a high-gloss finish, be especially careful to avoid scratching by using a feather duster or very, soft, clean cloths and wiping with minimal pressure. Products like Aristo Shield, protects the finish from scratching and marring, but also helps reduce dust build-up.

Use a protective pad when writing with a ballpoint pen on the furniture surface.

Lift and place objects rather than dragging them across the furniture surface.