In the meantime, keep them well buffed and dutifully dusted.
- Keep precious furniture out of strong sunlight, which fades wood and fabrics. If this is impossible, turn furniture occasionally to ensure even fading and close curtains at times of maximum sun.
- Don't place hot, cold or wet objects directly on the surface. Use a mat.
- Central heating dries the atmosphere causing cracking, loose joints and warping. A humidifier maintains a constant level of humidity in the air, but placing a bowl of water in the room will also help to prevent wood from drying out.
- For general domestic cleaning, use a duster or barely-damp cloth. Buff with a dry cloth to form a hard surface.
- Don't wax unnecessarily. Use a good-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year, polish sparingly, and preferably leave overnight, before buffing.
- Avoid aerosol spray polishes. They often contain silicon, which builds up a sticky surface, and a spirit, which removes natural oils in the wood.
- Don't clean metal handles with metallic cleaners as it will stain the surrounding wood, just give them a buffing.