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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/cleaning antique furniture

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Expert: - 5/14/2006


Question
I have very recently inharited some wood antique furniture and need to know how to clean it so as not to harm it. Some of it was in an old shed and is very dry and one table has a small split. There are several all wooden chairs from Austria a table?desk and two dressers.  Thank you  

Answer
Hi Judy
Nice to hear from you.
For this furniture I would get a can of mineral spirits and a box of superfine steel wool.
Get lots of old rags too.
Simply dip the steel wool in the mineral spirits and scrub the furniture. Dry with rags as you go. Work with the grain of the wood.
Then either a good waxing, or if the furniture is dull, the easiest way is a coat of low lustre tung oil applied with a rag.
Your furniture will look like new.
Hope this helps
regards
Eileen

Collectibles-General (Antiques)

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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