JOHN TUFFREY
Cabinetmaker and Chairmaker

Furniture care

This furniture is constructed and finished to a high standard and is suitable for everyday use. Maintenance is an important part of owning good furniture and is fundamental to your furniture’s survival in the long term. Occasional dusting is usually all that is required in the way of day-to-day care. Any food splashes or dirt can be wiped off with a damp cloth and coasters should be used if something wet or hot is placed on a tabletop. Upholstery covers can often be successfully cleaned with a good proprietary upholstery-cleaning product but test an inconspicuous part of the cover fabric first. Don’t forget to refer to the cover manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Rush seats only require a wipe with a damp cloth to remove any spilled food but don’t make them overly wet as they can go mouldy.

Furniture that has originally been polished with beeswax will benefit from waxing once or twice a year. The best wax polish to use is one based on beeswax and turpentine, often sold for use on antique furniture. Do not use furniture sprays because these are designed for modern plastic furniture finishes and will dissolve the wax polish already there. Furniture that has been finished with French polish requires no waxing, unless it has become scuffed or scratched.

It is important, however, not to unduly stress your furniture’s joints. This can be caused by dragging it along the floor, rocking on the rear legs of a chair or picking up a table by the tabletop. Extremes of relative humidity and temperature can also damage the joints. Avoid excessive central heating, which tends to make the air in your home very dry. Similarly, avoid rooms that are baked by the summer sun, such as conservatories. Do not put your furniture in damp, humid places where condensation easily forms, such as bathrooms. Do not leave it outdoors or in outbuildings that are exposed to the cool, moist night-time air. Most of all protect your furniture from a wildly varying atmosphere because it is sudden large changes in relative humidity or temperature that cause great strain. Things to avoid are: turning the central heating on maximum after a period away from your home; placing a piece of furniture right next to a hot radiator or blazing fire; and hanging damp washing over the back of a chair. Finally, strong sunlight can damage the appearance of your furniture. Avoid placing it right beneath a south-facing window as this can have a bleaching effect over time on the more susceptible timbers. With reasonable care your new furniture should give very many years of service.