By its very nature with the period that time passes, surfaces become oxidised or coated with dust, waxes and natural greases that combine to form a surface coating. While this is in most cases desirable with wood, other surfaces such as leather, metal and marble may from time-to-time be cleaned or the surface revived. Different materials will require different cleaning methods, but the one common theme is to clean a little at a time. Too much cleaning can also be a bad thing in that it can change the surface. If you are over-zealous when cleaning, the result may make the surface look artificial.
There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the need to clean frequently. The one measure that I have found to be the most effective is to wax on a regular basis. The wax will nourish and feed both timber and leather. Another maintenance task is to dust. As dust builds up it can over time turn into a grime and grease. I always recommend dusting with a clean dry rag. “Dusting with vinegar or water in my experience will cause damage to delicate surfaces.
The best motto when caring for your antiques is “little interventions often”. Careful care will ensure your antiques are preserved and cared for, for many years to come.
