Wooden furniture pieces add rustic and natural touches to many interior designs. From classical styles to contemporary compositions, you’ll always find the right wooden pieces to fit your chosen home design.

And because wood is prone to environmental damage and wear and tear, there are certain steps you have to take to preserve and maintain your wooden furnishings until the end of time. Here are five tips to take care of your smallest to largest furniture pieces:

Dust Away Their Surfaces

Clean furniture pieces create an inviting and comfortable home environment. For regular cleaning days, dust the surfaces of your wooden furniture. Dust them with a dry soft cloth to prevent scratching or denting their surfaces. 

If you have hardwood floors, use a soft-bristle broom to clean the under and sides. Use your vacuum cleaner to eliminate the smallest dust particles. Future occupants of Alder Residences in Taguig, Metro Manila, should use these cleaning methods to preserve their wooden wall panels.

Keep Them Out of the Sun

Your wooden furniture pieces' worst enemy is sun exposure. When the temperature rises to 60°C (140°F), the heat can burn their surface and destroy their beautiful finishes, leading to irreparable damage. Sun exposure may also cause fading, warping, shrinking, and cracking.

If you have a few hardwood furnishings in a room with a wide window, add sheer drapes to lessen the sunlight entering your home. Tinting your windows is another way to regulate the amount of sunlight coming inside. You’ll reduce heating in your home while protecting your beloved furniture.

Keep Them Away From Moisture

Moisture is another bane of your wooden furniture’s existence. Excessive moisture may cause them to warp and whiten. Leaving your furnishings wet may also invite mold and bacteria growth that will further the damage.

Wipe away any droplets or spills with a cloth to prevent moisture from seeping through your coffee or bar table. Use coasters when serving iced drinks to prevent water from pooling on your wooden surface directly.

Preserve Their Woody Scent

The smell of natural wood fosters a rustic ambiance similar to cottage houses near the forest and hills. Having a natural woody scent in your home may also provide the aromatherapy you need to relax and focus. 

Preserve your furniture pieces’ woody scent by sprinkling some baking soda on the surface and inside nooks and drawers. Eliminate old, musty odors by placing a pan of charcoal inside and under; the charcoal will absorb foul smells that may be noxious to you, your family, and your pets.

Add a Layer of Protection

Anything made from wood will be prone to damage and disintegration. Prolong the life of your wooden pieces by adding a layer of protection and shine. Polish and wax your timber pieces after cleaning them with water and gentle cleansers. The wax will add shine while reinforcing the protective layer of your wood.

See signs of wear and tear? Apply wood oil to seal the cracks and prevent further damage. For termite infestation, sprinkle borax power on the holes and grooves where pests may enter. Killing them as early as possible saves your wooden pieces from getting eaten.

Wooden furniture and decor pieces add texture and style to any home. Taking care of them will prolong their life and beauty until the end of time. Use these five simple care tips and you’ll have sparkling, beautiful timber pieces that highlight your home.