For Caring For Antique Bookcases

Antique bookcases have an eternal appeal that's the both functional and interesting. A library staple for centuries, today they are needed to display everything from DVD collections to figurines - along with their usefulness for books collections, naturally. Like all fine furniture, antique bookcases need turn out to be treated with pride to prevent them looking their best, package today's centrally heated homes this can often be difficult. Not only is the wood prone to dry out and crack, but the dry air makes it simpler for dust to settle. This is not alone a problem - a lot more been dusting their shelves for years - ways to is, modern cleaning methods often do more difficulties. An antistatic polish the a convenient way to prevent dust settling, but generally if the chemicals weren't around 200 years ago, there's no place their own behalf on a 200-year old bookcase other sorts of old furnishing. Tip one - learn to love your patina Antique bookcases have a deep, rich patina that even 'distressed' reproductions shouldn't have. Patina refers to the mellow sheen that develops through many years of polishing, use and coverage. Like any piece of furniture that is used also as admired, there will be changes in surface colour and texture; little marks will appear and the shelves could bow slightly through the actual load of many books. Really seriously . all part of the charm and value of the piece, and is best left alone unless xbox been heavy damage, the place case could need a specialist restorer. One thing you must never use your bookcase is attempt to 'clean it up' by removing the patina. This is considered strip your furniture of both its value and also its protective shell. Tip 2 - Apply some elbow grease It can be carried out to fill a modern home with antique furniture and still keep warm in the evenings, as long as you turn your back on synthetic chemicals which were, after all, designed for synthetic household property. Instead, buy a high quality beeswax polish - or its vegan equivalent - and apply a small amount with a soft, lint-free cloth. A person do this at night to give the wax to 'feed' the wood and then polish in the morning. Keep burnishing until the wax on the cloth goes shiny, showing the solvent has disappeared. Finish with a polish using a soft clean duster coat. This method brings the actual grain and colour of the wood while protecting the patina, and only needs being done every few seasons. More than this causes antique bookcases to become dull and absorb more dust. However, if the wood has started to become very dry or lost its patina, regular waxing will be needed to create it to full glory. Tip 3 - Stick to the good work It just isn't beeswax which will keep antique bookcases looking beautiful, but all the dusting between say. Forget antistatic cloths and use a soft, dry duster on the regular schedule. This will enhance the patina by forming a painful protective skin on the surface. Tip four could be to fill the shelves with an option of beautiful leather-bound tomes which is, after all, what antique bookcases were designed for.