Once you have spent the time and money on having custom furniture makers create a unique piece for you, you want to ensure that it lasts for years to come and that it retains its beauty over time.
Good news—by choosing to have custom furniture makers make your piece, you're already ahead of the game. Furniture that is handcrafted by an artisan woodworker is already going to be of higher quality than almost anything you can purchase at a big furniture warehouse or even a specialty retail store. A custom-built piece should stand the test of time due to the materials used and the craftsmanship.
Still, there are a few simple maintenance steps you can take in order to extend the life of your custom furniture. These custom furniture makers serving Bishop, CA have a few recommendations for anyone with solid wood furniture in their home.
Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat
When it comes to where you place your furniture, it's best to keep it out of the direct sun if possible. Ultraviolet rays can damage the wood and weaken it over time. The heat from the sun can also be an issue, especially if it causes dramatic temperature changes throughout the day. Wood can expand and contract from fluctuations in temperature, which can cause furniture to become permanently warped.
On the topic of heat, another thing to be careful of is not to place anything hot directly on the surface of your furniture. Use trivets and protective pads when setting hot dishes down on your table, and use coasters for your hot beverages. A hot item can produce a heat stain or indentation, and these tend to be permanent—or, at the very least, take quite a bit of work to repair.
Dust Regularly
Whether you like it or not, your home is collecting dust all the time. It's collecting dust right now, in fact. There's just no way to prevent it. And it will really show on your custom furniture if you don't attend to it regularly. The good news is that this doesn't have to be a backbreaking chore. Simply dusting your custom furniture with a soft cloth at least once a week will do wonders in terms of making the beauty of your pieces shine through.
If you enjoy the scent of furniture sprays or if you want to add a bit of extra sheen, then using a mild spray along with a cloth is also fine, but this isn't necessary each time. A quick wipe down alone will do the trick.
For Stains or Tough Dirt, Use Wood Cleaner
Sometimes, the cleaning ritual needs to go a bit deeper than dusting. If you have spilled something on your furniture or if it has gotten dirty in a move or in storage, you can clean it with a mild wood cleaner. Be sure to do your research on what cleaner to use—you need something that is pH balanced and that doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, lest you risk stripping the finish off of the piece.
Replenish the Wood's Oil When Needed
All wood contains natural oils that get depleted over time. This drying process makes the wood more susceptible to cracking and splitting. To prevent this, treat your furniture with wood oil every few years. This will keep the wood nourished and will greatly increase its longevity. As a bonus, it will make your furniture look instantly brand new, and it will make it smell fantastic.
It is not a difficult process—once you have wiped the dust off of your furniture, use a soft rag to apply the oil on every surface. That's it! It takes no more time than dusting, and it is a process that is well worth the effort.
Caring for your furniture should not be a difficult or time-consuming task. It may take a little more effort than buying a cheap piece from a furniture warehouse, sticking it in a corner, and forgetting about it, but honestly, not much more! You may even find that you enjoy the process of caring for your custom furniture because it is an easy way to prolong the life of the investment you have made in having it created for you.
