Autumn furniture care basics

Furniture care during a fall renovation is worth the effort. Well-kept pieces do not look tired, they hold their sheen, and the finished room looks better for it. Here are the basics for the three most common materials.

1. Wood furniture

Wood gets the most attention for two reasons. Most homes have more wood furniture than anything else, so if it looks shabby the whole room suffers. And wood needs a little technique; you cannot just wipe it any old way.

Wood does not like water. Do not wipe it every day with a soaking wet cloth, or it can absorb moisture and grow mold. A cloth wrung out until it is just damp, used now and then, is enough. Beyond basic cleaning, a periodic coat of furniture wax adds shine and keeps it looking good.

2. Engineered and composite furniture

This is the easiest to look after and there are few rules. Dry dirt comes off with a damp cloth. For grease or anything water will not lift, spray on a furniture cleaner, wait for it to dissolve the grime, then wipe it off. Composite pieces do not need waxing the way solid wood does.

3. Glass furniture

Glass is simple. Beyond regular cleaning, the one extra step is a protective film on the surface, which helps prevent chips and cracks and keeps the glass in good shape.