care: wood furniture, part 2

Yesterday we covered PASSIVE care, the most effective steps one may take in furniture maintenance. Today we begin our conversation about measures falling into the ACTIVE category.

Applying furniture polish makes us feel better, but the benefits are surprisingly limited.

Sorry to burst the bubble. Grow up.

Today we tell you what furniture care-products (a.k.a. furniture
polish) do and what they don’t do. Again, we lean heavily on Bob
Flexner’s “Understanding Wood Finishing”. It is an excellent resource.

Pay attention, because there are many misconceptions as there are good intentions.

Furniture Polishes DO:

Add temporary scratch resistance

Temporarily conceal light scratches

Add temporary shine

Aid in picking up dust

Clean grease, wax, and water-soluble dirt from the surface

Furniture polishes Do NOT:

“Feed” the wood by replacing “missing oils”

“Feed” the finish

Protect against heat, water solvent, or chemical damage.

Slow deterioration caused by light or oxidation.

There are many myths revolving about active care. Wood furniture does
not require “feeding” for instance. When furniture looks dry or dull,
it’s not a problem with the wood. It is the finish. It has
deteriorated.

When the shine from polishing disappears, it’s not because it has been
absorbed into the wood. It has evaporated. That is what polishes do.
They evaporate. They aren’t permanent.

Furniture polish does not replace natural oils in woods. As Flexner
vigorously points out, most common furniture woods never contained
natural oils in the first place. The few varieties that do, teak and
rosewood, do not need it replaced and certainly not by petroleum-based
solvents.

UP NEXT (tomorrow or the next day, depending on Clean+istry’s schedule) we discuss the 4 major classes of furniture-care products.