What's the best way to care for antiques?

Antique furniture should be waxed on a regular basis as the wax feed, protects and nourishes the wood. Frequent dusting is important between waxing, using a clean, dry, soft duster. This will encourage a hard wax skin to form which enhances the patina and protect the surface further.

How to care for an antique?

When cleaning your antique furniture, dust them using a soft and dry cloth. Avoid washing them with water as it may cause discolouration and rotting. For polishing, it's best to use high-quality furniture paste wax instead of furniture oil. Oil may refresh the antique finish but can attract dust and dirt.

What is the 100 year rule for antiques?

The 100-year rule traditionally defines antiques as items over 100 years old. However, modern collecting often includes items from the mid-20th century, with 'vintage' typically referring to items 20-100 years old. Investment value depends more on quality and rarity than strict age requirements.

Are antiques worth keeping?

Well-preserved antiques often appreciate in value over time. Rare and high-quality pieces, in particular, can become valuable assets. While not every antique will yield a high return, careful selection and maintenance can make them worthwhile investments.

Should you wax or oil antique furniture?

Pat the cleaned areas dry with distilled water. Finish by applying a coat of wax then buff after it has hardened. Many people like to oil the wood or “feed” it as commercials suggest. But this could actually be doing more harm than good for an antique, depending on the original finish.

Taking Care of Home Collections: Antique Furniture

What is the best oil to use on antique furniture?

Which is better for wood, oil or wax?

Applying wax to wooden garden furniture will provide a beautiful natural, low-sheen finish that enhances the wood's natural beauty. It will offer some protection against moisture and minor scratches but it is not as tough as say varnish. Oils will penetrate the wood, nourishing and protecting it from within.

Why are antiques no longer popular?

Several factors contributed to the noticeable decline in antique popularity during the early 2000s including the rise of minimalism and modernism, specifically the functional designs of Scandinavian furniture; the digital revolution, globalization, and rapid growth of online shopping; a changing economic landscape ...

What antiques hold their value?

Should I clean antiques?

Careful cleaning of your old furniture and antiques shouldn't reduce the value of your items – as long as it's done properly. You can't treat antiques as you would normal furniture, especially when you're cleaning antique wood furniture with brass handles and other metal components.

What are the signs of a fake antique?

Look for signs of natural aging such as cracks, nicks, or fading in the material. Pay special attention to intricate details like carvings or engravings, as these are often difficult to replicate in a fake antique. Inconsistencies in color, texture, or design can also be red flags.

How to tell if antiques are valuable?

One of the first things that experts will recommend you do is check for a manufacturer's or designer's mark. Pieces that are stamped with such marks are usually worth more as their authenticity is accredited by those marks, but they're not always obvious to the naked eye.

What is the real difference between vintage and antique?

Simply put, an antique is any item — whether it be a work of art, jewelry, carpets or everyday objects like housewares and accessories — that is over 100 years old. Vintage items are much younger, less than 100 years old, and typically have a collector's appeal.

Should you remove patina from antiques?

When it comes to patinas, cleaning them off could actually devalue your item. As a patina helps tell a story about an antique, as well as show that it is genuine, removing it could mean you end up with an antique that is worth less than you pay for it.

How to maintain antique silver?

BADA, The British Antique Dealers' Association, suggests washing antique silver in a solution of mild detergent in hot water. Once the item has been rinsed in hot water, it can be buffed with a soft cloth. For more heavily tarnished items, a proprietary silver polish can be used, which will clean and protect.

What is Scott's liquid gold?

Product Description

Formulated with conditioning natural oils to hydrate and revitalize wood surfaces, Scott's Liquid Gold is the perfect tool to help make the wood in your life feel like new again. The conditioner is designed to protect against further drying out, deterioration or even cracking.

What are the negatives of wood wax?

What's the best oil to put on wood?

What are the disadvantages of oiling wood?

Not Ideal for High-Traffic Areas

Although hardwax oil provides a durable and protective finish, it may not be the most suitable choice for high-traffic commercial spaces or heavily used areas. Constant wear from heavy foot traffic can gradually wear down the protective layer, leading to visible scratches and dullness.

Can I use coconut oil on wood?

It's important to note that while coconut oil is typically recognized for it's use in skincare products and food, "fractionated" coconut oil is the only variety that can be used on wood surfaces, since it's been refined to prevent rancidity.

Can I use linseed oil on antique furniture?

Can you polish antique furniture using linseed oil? The answer is yes, but only if you do it correctly as it can leave a build up of a sticky finish if not done correctly. The correct method is to rub boiled linseed oil into the wood using a clean lint free cloth.

Is teak oil better than linseed oil?

Teak Oil is the best oil to use on outdoor garden furniture (except exterior oak). It provides excellent weather and water resistance and also helps teak wood (most outdoor furniture is teak) keep its lovely honey look. You should avoid using Boiled Linseed Oil on all garden furniture and exterior wood.

How to make antiques shine?

What is the best thing to clean antique wood with?

Oil Soap: Unlike a typical household soap, oil soap will both clean and moisturize the existing wood finish. Pick up a bottle of something reliable like Murphy's oil soap. Cotton Cloths: You will need at least two clean cotton cloths.