Protecting furniture from damp

Once June arrives, the air turns hot and humid. Everything feels damp, corners start to smell musty, and on the worst days you can see beads of moisture forming on floors and furniture. Humidity that stays high while temperatures climb is hard on a home. Mold and warping caused by damp are among the main reasons furniture wears out early and starts to look tired. Before the wet season sets in, here is how to protect each type of furniture.

Wood furniture

The goal with solid wood is to keep the finish intact, since the finish is what keeps moisture out. Apply a furniture cleaner or protective wax evenly over the surface and wipe it in gently. A well-maintained finish resists humidity far better than a dry, worn one.

Engineered-board furniture

Particleboard and MDF soak up water readily. If the edge banding is poor or already damaged, the board will swell and can break apart once it gets damp. Take precautions from the day you start using the piece: add a waterproof pad or seal the areas most likely to get wet, such as the bottom edges and anywhere that sits on a floor that gets mopped.

Leather furniture

Leather that takes on moisture turns stiff when it cools, and corners and folds are prone to mildew spots, distortion and fading. Dust the piece, remove any mildew, then rub in a leather conditioner or leather oil. A living-room leather sofa or leather accent chair gets daily use, so keep an eye on it. Damp damage shows quickly and spoils the look of the whole room.

Metal furniture

In humid weather, wipe metal surfaces often with a dry cloth. If rust appears, scrub it off with a dish sponge or an old toothbrush dipped in rust remover, then polish the area dry with a clean cloth.