Sometimes we invest a lot of money on the furniture that we display in our homes. When we purchase well made pieces we need them to endure a lifetime if possible, and now fine furniture is more expensive than ever. With tender loving care it can last us our lifetime and many times we might make it an inheritance for our children. That is how we end up with many antiques because they might have been passed down to us, that and some really good garage and estate sale treasures.

In many cases the finishes on aged furniture can be worn down from its being used over time and can be more susceptible to damage. They can be scratched easier and they will show up more. The vast majority of people today know that refinishing antique pieces of furniture can lower their worth when and if they are resold. Antique marketers suggest that you keep the furniture dusted frequently and only use a quality paste furniture wax or beeswax. This is recommended for use on new furniture pieces as well.

Even when we make sure we give our furniture our undivided attention, mishaps will always happen to it in any event. The proof of time and everyday usage are sure to come to light sometime, especially if you have little ones. Spots from water rings are one of the most frequent occurrences that can happen to the finishes of our furniture. Most of the time these are rings where someone has sat down a glass and it was spilled or had dampness accumulated on the outside and bottom of the glass. One way to clean the white water rings is to use a dab of toothpaste with a soft cotton cloth. Rub the spot gently going with the grain of the wood and then wipe it off with a clean cotton cloth.

Dark brown water damage spots are seen on furniture for the same reason as the white rings, just when the place has darkened, it could mean that the water has penetrated through the wood and mold has begun in it. Black areas are more difficult to remedy than the less complicated white rings. To take care of these rings you should remove the finish and clean with bleach. This will kill the mold and then the piece of furniture can be refinished. When the furniture is definitely an irreplaceable antique, you will want to think about getting a professional furniture specialist do it to avoid probably damaging the piece any more.