Preserving Legacy: A Guide to Caring for Your Antique Heirloom Furniture

Did you inherit an old piece of furniture, and now, you have no idea how to care for it? Don’t worry because caring for antique heirloom furniture is not as difficult as it may seem.

There’s just something sentimental about inheriting an old, antique piece of furniture that belonged to a family member. Not just because that piece of furniture might be expensive but more so because of the family history it carries with it. It’s a family treasure that you want to preserve the best you can.

To help you preserve your legacy, we made a little guide on caring for antique heirloom furniture that you may find useful. Let’s check it out.

Be careful when relocating the furniture piece

The first tip we have for you is to be very careful when relocating antique furniture. Over time, furniture parts such as legs and arms, tend to get loose.

If you notice that your heirloom furniture piece has loose parts, remove, wrap, and put them in the box. To safely wrap furniture use bubble wrap, tissue paper, or old towels. This will protect it from damage.

Before trying to relocate bulkier pieces, make sure they can go through doorways, stairways, and halls. If you get stuck somewhere, the antique furniture will pay the ultimate price.

Don’t remodel it

The worst mistake you can make with your inherited heirloom furniture is to remodel it. You can be tempted to remove some pieces you find too ornate or too dated, but that would be a huge mistake.

The best way to preserve the value of an antique furniture piece is by respecting its integrity. If you find that the piece is broken, contact professionals from Sydney Mobile French Polishing, and they will help you restore it without damaging it. They will also know how to preserve its style and history without compromising its integrity.

Find a good spot for your heirloom

Antique furniture can be a bit demanding. It doesn’t like fluctuating temperatures, humidity, or exposure to light. Ideally, you’d want to place your antique heirloom furniture inside the living area of the house where the temperature is moderate and there is no humidity. Similarly, the piece shouldn’t be exposed to too much natural or artificial light.

Light can damage the wood and upholstery of the piece. While humidity and fluctuating temperatures can dry it out and cause it to start absorbing moisture again.

Clean with care and check for pests

Antique heirloom furniture should never be cleaned with modern cleaners such as furniture polishers, sprays, and oils. All these cleaners accumulate on the furniture and leave a sticky residue that attracts dust and debris.

The best way to find out how to clean antique furniture is to consult with a furniture conservator. They will probably suggest dusting regularly and using paste wax from time to time.

A conservator will also tell you to be on the lookout for pests. Insects can cause serious damage to your antique furniture. So, every now and then, inspect your antiques.

Use the mesh upholstery screen

The most efficient way to clean your furniture is with a vacuum cleaner. However, using the vacuum cleaner with the upholstery attachment can also damage your antique furniture. Friction and abrasion are the easiest ways to destroy your old furniture.

That’s why you should be using mesh upholstery screens as museum conservators do. Simply place the screen against the upholstery and run the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner gently back and forth. The mesh will protect your furniture.

Reduce situations that may lead to wear and tear

The easiest way to preserve your heirloom furniture is by reducing the situations that may lead to wear and tear. As we already mentioned, you should keep your furniture away from direct light and you should avoid abrasion.

Then, do your best to keep pets off antique furniture. Be careful what you’re wearing when sitting on antique pieces. Some clothing can leave stains, while clothing decor such as beads and chains can damage or break the fabric. Also, try not to eat on your antique pieces or if you do, clean them. Don’t tempt bugs.

How to store antique furniture

Sometimes your heirloom furniture simply doesn’t fit your home design but you’re not willing to part with it. So, how do you best store it?

Avoid storing your antique furniture in places such as the attic, basement, or garage. These places are usually humid or have fluctuating temperatures which, as you know, is bad for your antique furniture.

The best way to store your heirlooms is by placing them in a storage unit. Before you store them away, make sure you wrap them in bubble wrap and then cover them with breathable fabric cloths. Also, keep the furniture elevated with wooden pallets or cinder blocks. This will keep the furniture safe in case water seepes into your unit.

Have it appraised and insured

If you think that some of your heirloom pieces have monetary value, have them appraised. Before you call for a professional appraiser, check for the manufacturer’s markings, and search auctions and sales of similar pieces to find out more about your piece.

If you want to have an antique heirloom furniture insured, you’ll need to have it appraised by a professional.

Conclusion

Preserving heirloom furniture is not as difficult as it seems. You simply need to be careful when handling it and learn how to properly care for it. And remember that antique heirloom furniture has great sentimental value.

Author bio:

Erin Lane is a creative writer and lifestyle blogger from Canberra, Australia. She is a hard-working, organized, dedicated professional interested in learning new things. With five years of experience in writing, Erin has covered numerous topics, including health, fashion, fitness, makeup, home improvement, decoration, business, and finances. Erin is an active person who enjoys nature and traveling.

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