Sometimes we tie up a lot of money on the furniture that we have in our homes. When we invest in costly pieces, we want them to stand up for a lifetime if possible, and now fine furniture is more expensive than ever. With the right care, it can last us our lifetime and quite often we may pass it on to our children. This is how we acquire many antiques because they have been passed down to us, that along with really great garage and estate sale treasures.

A lot of times the tops on older furniture can be worn down from usage over time and can be more susceptible to damage. They can be scratched more easily and they will show more. Informed people today know that refinishing antique pieces of furniture can lower their value when and if they are sold. Antique stores suggest that you keep the furniture dusted well and apply only a quality paste furniture wax or beeswax. This is good to use on new furniture pieces as well.

Even though we never fail to give our furniture our best, mishaps will most likely happen to it anyway regardless. The proof of time and everyday usage are sure to occur eventually, especially if you have kids. Ugly spots from water rings are one of the most frequent problems that can mess up the tops of our furniture.

Usually these are white rings where someone has sat down a glass that either spilled or had water settled on the outside and bottom of the glass. One procedure good to clean most white water rings is to use a little toothpaste on a soft cotton cloth. Wipe the spot carefully going with the wood's grain and then take it off with a clean cotton cloth.

Dark brown water damage spots are usual on furniture for the exact same reason as the white rings, except that if the spot has blackened, it could imply that the water has saturated through into the finish on the wood and mold has begun in it.

Blackened spots are more serious than the milder white places. To remedy these spots you could take off the finish and clean with bleach. This will kill the mold and then the piece of furniture can be refinished. When the furniture is perhaps an expensive antique, you should consider getting a professional furniture restorer do it to keep from maybe damaging the piece any more.