The wooden furniture are beautiful and precious, but there is a common mistake that many make during weekly cleaning and which risks damaging them seriously. Find out what it is and how to avoid it to keep the wood always shining.
When it comes to Wood careyou immediately think of waxes, soft clothes and fragrant oils. But not everyone knows that a trivial gesture, made with the best intentions, can cause scratches, halos or even deformations over time. The most subtle appearance? Often you don’t notice the damage until it is too late.
It is worth paying attention to how wooden furniture is cleaned: a simple oversight can ruin years of beauty. The risk is that you notice too late about the error. An imperceptible halo can become a permanent stain over time. And if the wood swells or deforms, bringing it back to the original state is almost impossible. Fortunately, it takes little to avoid it. Just observe a detail that often ignores.
Attention to humidity: the invisible enemy of wooden furniture
Many believe that for effective cleaning a well humid cloth serves. Here, this is precisely the critical point. The woodBy its nature, it is a living material: it absorbs humidity and, over time, can swell, stain or crack. A cloth too wet, even if only slightly, releases water on the surfaces which then penetrates the pores of the wood, especially if not well treated or sealed. Often there is a small stain, an opaque halo that was not there before. Maybe you think it will pass. In reality, it is the first sign of deeper damage. And it is surprising how little it is enough: even one wrong passage per week, repeated over time, can compromise the furniture.
Another aspect not to be underestimated concerns the detergents. Some products for cleaning the house contain alcohol, ammonia or acid substances which, in the long run, opacizz the wood or alter its natural color. Even artificial perfumes, if too aggressive, can leave residues or spots.
How to clean wood furniture without ruining them
The golden rule? The less it is better. There is no need to overflow to get a good result. Indeed, often the simplest gestures are the most effective. A slightly humid cloth, if used with criterion, is worth more than a thousand miraculous products. It takes very little to take care of the wood. Some precautions are enough, easy to follow but fundamental to keep it beautiful over the years:
- Always use a dry microfiber cloth or just moistened.
- Completely avoid excess water.
- If you need to degrease, opt for Delicate natural -based solutionslike a mixture of distilled water and white vinegar (in small quantities).
- Never spray the product directly on the furniture: better to apply it first on the cloth.
- After cleaning, always dry with a dry and clean cloth.
- One or twice a month, nourish the wood with specific oils or natural waxes.
These simple gestures make the difference. Not only do they preserve the aesthetics, but keep the wood healthy, elastic and resistant over time.
Then there is another useful trick: carefully observe the conditions of the furniture. If the surface looks dry, rough or discolored, it may need more nourishment or extra protection. In these cases, it is better to act immediately with specific products.
Wood has its own voice, even if silent. He knows how to tell how he is treated. So why not listen to it? Small gestures are enough to make him say “thanks” every day.
The role of light and the environment in conservation
In addition to cleaning, there is another aspect that often neglects: exposure to light and environmental conditions. Direct sunlight, especially in the central hours of the day, can gradually discolour the wood, altering the original tone. Even the changes in temperature or an too dry or humid environment negatively influence its structure. It is therefore better to avoid positioning the furniture near radiators, windows without curtains or sources of humidity. Sometimes it is enough to slightly move a piece of furniture or shield a window to prevent important damage.
Treating the wood does not only mean cleaning it well, but also protecting it from the environment that surrounds it.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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