When purchasing furniture, you’ll want to ensure that you take good care of it. Your painted furniture can easily last a lifetime if you maintain a few critical aspects, depending on the quality of the material and how well you care for it. While taking care of wooden furniture is relatively easy, painted furniture requires a little more attention. The tops of your painted furniture will age naturally, which is not a problem and actually adds to the piece’s character. However, you don’t want your furniture to become overly worn—you want it to look beautiful for many years. Here are some of the most important things to remember when caring for your painted furniture to keep it in perfect condition for as long as possible.

When purchasing furniture, you’ll want to ensure that you take good care of it. Your painted furniture can easily last a lifetime if you maintain a few critical aspects, depending on the quality of the material and how well you care for it. While taking care of wooden furniture is relatively easy, painted furniture requires a little more attention. The tops of your painted furniture will age naturally, which is not a problem and actually adds to the piece’s character. However, you don’t want your furniture to become overly worn—you want it to look beautiful for many years.

Here are some of the most important things to remember when caring for your painted furniture to keep it in perfect condition for as long as possible.

Keep It Away from Water

Water and furniture are not the best match. While the occasional accidental spill won’t be a problem, make sure to clean it up as soon as possible so that the water doesn’t soak into the wood. Avoid placing cups or glasses directly on wood or painted surfaces. To protect your furniture, always use a coaster. Take extra care with alcoholic beverages and make-up remover!

Don’t Let Heat Get to It

Rapid temperature changes can damage wooden or painted furniture over time, so consider carefully where you place your furniture. Keep it away from room heaters, and instead place it in a location where temperature changes will be less extreme. You should also keep it away from open windows where rain can enter and cause damage.

Use Specific Cleaning Materials

Cleaning your painted furniture is more critical than you may believe. There are some major no-nos when it comes to cleaning supplies. Never use harsh cleaning agents or cloths on a painted surface, such as linen cloths or paper towels, as these will scratch your furniture. Avoid using alcoholic cleaning agents on or near painted furniture, such as nitro-based thinners, acetone, nail polish remover, or similar products, as these will leave streaky marks that cannot be removed. Furniture should be dusted regularly with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth.

Dusting Is Key

The most effective method is surprisingly simple. Simply wipe your painted furniture clean with a lint-free cloth or duster. This not only keeps the color looking fresh and new but also prevents dirt and dust from collecting on the surface, which, if allowed to settle, will require more vigorous cleaning. The more frequently you dust your painted furniture, the longer it will remain in pristine condition. We also recommend dusting before beginning any of the cleaning methods described above to avoid scratching the surface with dirt and dust.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your quality painted furniture stays in perfect condition for many years. Caring for your furniture doesn’t require a huge amount of effort, and by simply sticking to a few simple rules and spending a bit of time looking after your pieces, you will keep them looking beautiful and well-maintained.