Using an Antique Table without Damage To It
Nick Besson

Defined Tag: Antique Tables.

If you have an antique table, you are caught in a daily struggle with your most treasured antique table. You want to have a quality gathering at the dinner table. You want to enjoy your meals on that hundreds of years old oakwood slab, yet you don't want your lemonade to stain it, or that delicioua curry to leave a patch on your table - permanently.What do you do?

The challenge...begins.

Fine antique furniture owners frequently face this dilemma. It is an ongoing challenge - The desire to preserve your collections, yet utilize them at the same time. No doubt these two ideas tend to be in conflict. But, there are a few things you can do, that just might help with this matter.

Use coasters or glass tops

Since you might not want a full table cloth on at dinner time, a good idea is to use coasters for the drinks. This of course will help to prolong the finish and prevent those moldy spots left in that area where you know that cup was sitting but had been later covered with an ornament to hide the mess. One really good option if you want to see the wood and hate coasters or you’re just sure that a drink will ultimately get spilled, is to place a glass top on the table. Don't forget to put some nice little rubber pieces in between the glass and the wood. A glass top seems to be a good solution if you can find the right size or have one custom made for your table. Make sure that the glass edges are filed/polished off to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Clean your antique table the right way

When you clean your table after a meal, wipe off the dust or crumbs first, using a soft cloth or a vacuum with a soft brush attached. If you have to clean the table with a wet cloth, then use a very dilute detergent. Your table needs to be dried well, as moisture or humidity will cause cracks, wood rot, gaps in the joints of the table, and problems with any inlays or veneer in the table. If you live in a humid climate, then ensuring your antique table is protected from moisture, is an important step to consider, everyday.

Protect your antique table from the harsh sun

Sunlight can cause fading, and unsightly looking darkening of the finish of an antique table. So, if you have your table in front of a window, you should close the curtain during the brightest part of the day, or use a table top to cover your table.

These suggestions may seem simple, but using them, you can maintain the lifespan of your antique table, and enjoy your meals on them at the same time. After all, what is the point of getting a rare antique table, and leaving it in a corner to gather dust, while you and your family make do with a cheap pinewood table gotten from IKEA?

Nick Besson is an antique lover who likes researching and collecting antiques. He has been collecting antiques for a decade now, and also writes articles on antiques for websites.