The best care tips for (antique) wooden chairs

Wood chairs radiate an irresistible attraction and can often be found in rural or classic interiors. Basically, wood gives almost every furnishing style warmth and atmosphere.

A little story of seating furniture

The first seat furniture consisted of simple benches or stools in the Middle Ages. Only the wealthy, historical chairs had splendidly designed as a status symbol. Stools were used in farmhouses, while three -legged stools were used in public rooms.

In the 17th century there were low padded stools, called Taboutets, for women at the royal court. Most early seating furniture was made from local woods such as oak, pine and beech, while more complex styles from continental Europe were imported.

In the 18th century, British developed ancient chairs with their own characteristics and styles, such as the Queen-Anne chair with curved lines and a massive vase shape from backrest to the seat rail. The chairs of this time often had curved convertible legs and artistically carved decorations such as upholstery feet, or ball and claw feet.

Have you recently acquired beautiful wooden chairs or are you planning this? Then it is important that you ensure good care to get the furniture in perfect condition.

Do you need some helpful care tips? Then read on now!

Tip 1: Clean wood chairs every day with a (not too wet) cloth

Wooden chairs are timeless and have been very popular for decades. Maybe you even have an heirloom from your parents or grandparents. If you choose new wooden chairs , office chairs or armchairs, it is important to maintain them well.

Daily cleaning with a clean cloth is advisable. Moist the cloth slightly in lukewarm water and turn it out to ensure that it is not too wet and the oil layer of the wood is damaged.

Avoid aggressive or abrasive cleaning agents because they can negatively influence wood material

Tip 2: ensure optimal air humidity at home

The air humidity in your home is just as important as daily cleaning. This is all related to how wood reacts. As a natural product, wood benefits from a humidity of around 50 %. If the air humidity is significantly higher, the wood could absorb too much moisture and the risk of cracks increases. This should be avoided, especially in winter .

Ventilate sufficiently this season by regularly opening the windows and, for example, hanging several shells with water on the radiator. This is not only good for the living climate, but also for the quality and lifespan of your wooden chairs.

 

Tip 3: Grind the wood every 6 months

In order to stay in perfect condition, it is important to thoroughly subject wood chairs every six months. The material is cleaned with a special wooden cleaner and slightly sanded to open the wooden pores. This enables better absorption of care products.

It is recommended to use mild cleaning agents to put the chairs back into a impeccable condition.

For example:

• Cleaning vinegar with oil
• soda
• Green soap

Tip 4: Treat wood chairs with oil

We have already spoken briefly about it: Treatment of wood with oil is a proven method to ensure the durability and beauty of the material. By oiling, the wood is deeply supplied with moisture, which contributes to preventing drying out and the formation of unsightly cracks.

At the same time, there is a protective layer on the surface, which prevents the wood from absorbing liquids quickly. This avoids unsightly spots and rings, which in turn improves the aesthetics and durability of the wood.

With the right care and regular oil treatment, the wood can protect its natural beauty in the long term.

How often treat wooden chairs with oil?

It depends on the air humidity and the sunlight in your home how often you have to treat the chairs with oil.

Especially when the chairs are often exposed to the sun, intensive care is required. Always check the structure of the wood. If the pores of the wood are open and the material is rough, then treatment with oil is advisable.

Tip 5: Use paint layer instead of oil

Do you like wooden chairs with a natural appearance? Then I recommend using a painting instead of oil. This is particularly suitable for oak chairs, for example. The paint causes damage, rings and stains to result.

In addition, the paint gives the wood a natural look without it shining. The grain of the wooden material remains visible, which is very nice to look at. If small scratches still occur unexpectedly, you can treat them with a furniture polish.

After that, the wooden chairs from Furnicher soon shine again in new splendor!