Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Amish Furniture

What are some simple ways of caring for and cleaning your Amish furniture to keep it lasting for decades? Here are several tips.

Many people prefer to think of home furniture pieces as an investment in their homes, and when it comes to fine wood Amish furniture, this is especially true. Many pieces of Amish furniture are passed down through generations and last decades or even centuries, and they do this through a combination of incredible craftsmanship and proper care from their owners.

At Amish Crafted Furniture, we’re happy to offer comprehensive care and maintenance recommendations for our entire showroom of fine Amish furniture, which includes bedroom furniture, dining room furniture and numerous other options for all your home furnishing needs. Here’s a basic rundown of what you should be thinking about when it comes to general care and cleaning of your Amish furniture over the years after it’s purchased.

Avoid Chemical Cleaners

Before we get into specific cleaning or upkeep methods, a word on one area that you should always avoid: Chemical cleaners. Amish furniture is made by high-quality furniture builders, using high-quality woods like oak, cherry and maple, which means you should never use any sort of heavy-duty chemical cleaner on your piece. This includes products like paint removers and strippers or acetone nail polish remover. These chemicals can damage the finish of your beautiful furniture, so always be sure to avoid them when it comes to caring for your Amish furniture. Instead, use only gentle, natural cleaners and polishes on your furniture.

Basic Cleaning Tips

For basic cleaning, you might want to keep a soft cloth or rag nearby at all times so that you can quickly wipe any dust or dirt off your furniture pieces in between more thorough cleanings. This is especially recommended if you have pets in the home, as pet hair and dander can easily gather on wood furniture.

A great way to clean Amish furniture is with a natural, organic all-purpose cleaner or even just warm water and gentle dish soap. With these cleaners, you can easily wipe down your piece without worrying about damaging the finish. For particularly stubborn stains or tougher cleaning jobs, it’s always a good idea to consult with our experts at Amish Crafted Furniture before using any sort of harsh chemical cleaner.

No Dragging or Dropping

Part of proper care and maintenance is also knowing how to handle your furniture when moving or rearranging it in the home. Always avoid dragging Amish furniture pieces across bare floors, as this can scratch wood surfaces and damage the leg finish. Instead, always use a protective material like felt or rubber pads to protect your beautiful wood furniture when moving it.

In addition, part of caring for Amish furniture over a period of years involves avoiding major impacts or drops that could damage the piece. Always be aware of where your furniture is in relation to other pieces, and try to avoid dropping or knocking over lamps or any valuable decorations on your beautiful furniture.

Spill Wipe-Ups

Because wood is a porous material, meaning it absorbs liquids, spills of any sort should be cleaned up immediately. Use a soft cloth or towel to blot up any liquids on your furniture as soon as they occur, and also try to avoid using paper towels when cleaning up spills. Paper towels can leave behind fibers that can damage the finish of wood surfaces over time.

Down related lines, if you’re going to regularly be placing drinks or other items on your Amish furniture, always use a coaster or a napkin to protect the surface. This is especially important when using wood tables that are susceptible to moisture damage caused by liquid spills.

Avoid High Humidity

Another key component of caring for fine Amish furniture is knowing how to deal with high levels of humidity in your home. Wood is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air, which means that you should keep relative humidity levels low in the home if you’re a regular user or owner of wood pieces like Amish furniture. Otherwise, this absorbed moisture can cause warping, swelling or other damage to your furniture that’s difficult and expensive to repair.

Generally, humidity levels should be kept between 30% and 50%, although it’s best to keep your home as close to the lower end of that range as possible for optimal care and maintenance. And if you’re not sure about the humidity levels in your home or are concerned, it’s always a good idea to consult with our experts at Amish Crafted Furniture.

Keep Pieces Away from Heaters

Down related lines, it’s also important to avoid placing your Amish furniture near heaters or other sources of direct heat. Again, wood is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air when heated up, which is why it’s never a good idea to place any wooden objects directly in front of fireplaces, ovens or other common heating sources.

For instance, you should always keep your wooden dining room table at least three feet away from a heater, to give the wood time to cool back down when it heats up. In addition, try to avoid placing wooden items on heat vents or other sources of direct heat in the home.

With the right basic attention to detail and a little regular care, your Amish furniture can last for years and even decades. So take the time to properly maintain your beautiful wooden pieces today, and enjoy them for many years to come!

For more on this, or to learn about any of our fine Amish furniture pieces, speak to our team at Amish Crafted Furniture today.