Cherishing tradition: Tips and tricks to maintain wooden antiques

The beautiful and intricately designed cupboard in the corner of the room, radiating an old-world aura and perhaps ensconcing stories of several earlier generations — is one of those furniture pieces that never go out of style and have stories to tell. Many households possess at least one such furniture — be it a big cupboard or just a small chair — as a carrier of the early traditions, telling stories of our parents and grandparents. We hear numerous nostalgia-filled stories from our immediate families, relating the furniture with their childhood, transporting us to the alleys of the yesteryears. 

However, is it only the nostalgia keeping us attached to these sorts of furniture? Apart from adding a vintage and retro element to homes, these furnishings have proven themselves to be quite long-lasting. These pieces have been built with utmost care and detailing, accounting for its exceptional design and longevity. However, preserving the shine of these inherently valuable items requires care — just like any other component of the household. 

Wooden antiques generally require extra care compared to most other components within the household. Exposure to direct sunlight often damages the colour of these antique pieces while layers of dust lighten their sheen. On top of that, moisture in the air may inhabit harmful pests. Hence, to ensure the utility and beauty of old wooden furniture and preserve the precious memories of the past, regular care is a must. Now the question remains: what can be done?

First and foremost, we must pay attention to preventing the accumulation of dust. To do that, the furniture must regularly be dusted with a clean dry cloth. In case of using a wet cloth for some extra shine, excess water must be instantly wiped off with a dry cloth to ensure that the surface does not remain wet. 

Photo: Berger

Next, if you want to bring back the original shine, home remedies involving warm water and tea bags can be a great solution. For that, put the tea-bag into a pot of boiling water, and remove the bag as soon as the brownish colour of tea appears. Then, soak a clean cloth into the tea-infused water and twist it to get rid of excess liquid. Wipe the furniture surfaces with the dampened cloth. On another note, round stains from cups and plates are annoying to many — and there is a solution for these too, by simply using toothpaste! Just rub some toothpaste directly onto the stains and leave it for some time before wiping it off with a damp cloth. The antique is now good as new!

Regardless of how good these hacks are, it is still best to coat the furniture with varnish or lacquer for long-term usage. Just like we tend to repaint our homes for a fresh look, applying lacquer to the wood will make it look completely new, while also retaining its original charm. This enhances durability alongside aesthetics. Hence, choosing the right product is essential. In that case, Berger has come up with Berger Innova Lacquer — a polyurethane-based lacquer coating solution for natural woods and wooden surfaces ensuring the highest performance finish. Moreover, it shows excellent resistance to household liquid spills (water, tea, coffee) and even against basic abrasion or scratches from daily use. Berger Innova Lacquer is a premium solution with various shades and it keeps your furniture waterproof, stain-proof, and free from termite damage.

If you want to make your favourite furniture last for years, the importance of taking proper care is paramount. To make that simpler for us, products like Berger Innova Lacquer have come in. Now is the time to cherish our tradition and the vibe associated with it through furniture and pass those on to the next generations.