Knowing Wood

• Dust wood frequently with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
• Clean up spills immediately by blotting them gently, without rubbing the surface.
• Always use coasters under both hot and cold drinks.
• Use a quality furniture polish approximately once a month.
• Use mats and place a felt lining under vases and other objects - these make it easier to move objects around when you are polishing and cleaning, without scratching surfaces.
• Try to keep humidity as constant as possible; high humidity causes wood to swell, while low humidity causes wood to lose moisture and shrink.
• Do not use silicone polishes. Many of them contain an ingredient that can seep into the original finish and cause permanent damage to the wood.
• Place wooden furniture away from direct sunlight, which can dry and bleach the wood.
• Move ornaments, lamps and other items on furniture to another position from time to time so that they do not leave permanent marks.
• Don't place rubber or synthetic materials, such as plastics, directly on wood finishes, since they might contain chemicals that could damage the finish.