How to revive the old chest in the attic

The other day a post caught my eye. Someone had found an old wooden chest in the attic and was asking for help to clean it without damaging it. I thought that this is not at all simple and realised that this is a subject I have never dealt with. So, the subject of today's article will be cleaning and freshening up an old wooden object that has not been stored in the best condition.

The first thing we notice about such an object is the consistent layer of dust. It is not recommended to wipe it off with a cloth, as larger grains of dust may have deposited over time. These, when the rag is moved from side to side, can scratch the surface with consequences that are sometimes difficult to remedy.

Using a wet cloth is no solution either, especially if you wet it with hot water. The object might be finished with wax that softens in contact with the hot wet cloth. The result will be a soggy surface that needs to be completely removed and refinished.

If the object is not coated with wax or varnish, using wet cloth is the worst choice. It will form a slime that will get into the unprotected wood and its pores and be very difficult to remove.

The best solution in this case is to vacuum the dust. Not blowing it out with air, because you spread it into the atmosphere and end up dealing with it again. Blowing with pressurised air is only a solution if you have efficient exhaust systems to absorb all that dust. When doing this at home, the solution is the vacuum cleaner. Do the vacuuming, from a short distance, without putting the brush on the object, so as not to scratch it.

Once you have made sure that the dust is completely removed from the outside as well as the inside, you can wipe the object with a clean, soft cloth. The best cloths are cotton ones. Old, soft shirts that you enjoyed the summer best in but no longer wear because they've gotten baggy, waterlogged, or out of fashion make the best wiping cloths.

You can now use wet cloths. But don't use hot water, use warm water and soap or a mild liquid detergent as detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions. The easiest way is to use the leftover residue from the soap you use to wash your face, which you dissolve in a little water. You get a solution that can be used as a detergent. To get water for washing put some of this solution in warm water. Wipe the object with the cloth soaked and then wrung out. The water should not splash on the object. There may be scratches through which the water can penetrate to the wood. After cleaning thoroughly with the wet cloth wipe the entire surface with the dry cloth. All cloths used should be soft, scratch and lint free.

I have seen some recommendations to clean surfaces with thinner or ethyl alcohol solutions (medicinal spirit). In my opinion it is risky to use solvents when you are not sure what kind of products the object has been protected with. If it has been coated with wax or shellac, soluble in solvents, the object can become soaked.

Now that you have a clean object, you can see if the surface is intact, if it needs minor repairs or refurbishment, you can choose whether to leave it as it is, with the patina of time, or to refinish it completely. If it's an old and valuable object, it's best to call in restoration professionals. Reconditioning and especially restoration are not simple operations, it takes some experience.

There is one more thing to check, but it is very important: if the wood has been attacked by cari or other specific insects. Curry holes look good and contribute a lot to the old look, but if it's still in the wood, you may have a big problem. As well as continuing to damage the item, it can move on to other wooden furniture in the house. Plus the noise it makes while eating the wood. If it's completely quiet in the house, it sounds like mice gnawing on the floor.

To remove cavities, which are very resistant, you need to use special substances. When you buy them make sure they are to treat wood attacked by decay, not to prevent it. The ones that prevent it are far too weak. The solution should be put in each hole, then cover the hole with tape and leave for 2-3 days. Repeat the operation at least once more.

One last recommendation. If the wood is protected, to brighten the appearance apply a coat of wax or special oils for wood. The application will still be done with the cloth. It is best to warm the wax slightly beforehand to make it more fluid and apply a smaller amount. Finally wipe well with a clean dry cloth. You will get a very nice silky look. Much nicer than with the classic furniture cleaners and care products you find on the market.

I hope you find these tips useful and that in the future it will be much easier to save old things that are close to your heart. If you decide to remove the old finish coat to apply a new one, you have more information in the following link.