It is an undeniable fact that most people could use a little more shine in their lives (which is hardly a surprise, given our mundane reality). And while there are different ways to add sparkle and brightness to your surroundings and your lifestyle, the easiest and simplest trick of them all is to bring a sense of light and space to your home décor. An open layout, large windows, strategically placed mirrors, vivid colors, high gloss furniture, and brilliant light fixtures will all help you create the desired effect and make the space appear vibrant and full of life.
Everyone loves some shine in their lives.
Lacquer furniture, in particular, has a very big impact on a room. It imparts a sense of style and luxury to the ambiance and exudes a trendy, yet timeless appeal. To be able to enjoy its charming effect and preserve its beautiful shine for a long time, however, you need to take proper care of your high gloss furniture.
Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it may seem – the simple furniture care tips below will help you keep your lacquered pieces in excellent condition with very little effort on your part.
How to Protect High Gloss Furniture
Quality high gloss furniture is a valuable investment that can last for generations when properly protected – and there are a number of efficient protective measures you can take to ensure the longevity of your cherished pieces and maintain their beauty:
Find an Appropriate Location for Your Lacquered Pieces
To protect the delicate surface of your glossy furniture, you need to keep it away from direct sunlight and any other sources of heat – space heaters, fireplaces, ovens, air conditioners, etc. It is not a good idea to put your lacquer furniture directly under windows or near doors and air vents either (not only because of the possible abrupt temperature changes in these areas, but also because of the greater amounts of dust and dirt near doors and windows).
Protect the Finish
The lacquer finish is very vulnerable to scratching and cannot withstand heat well. Therefore, you’re strongly advised to:
- Avoid placing electrical appliances and hot dishes directly on the high gloss surface – use trivets and heat proof mats under hot items to prevent the risk of scorching your fine furniture;
- Use linen or cotton tablecloths (or placemats) when dining on a high gloss table;
- Use protective pads when writing with a ballpoint pen on a glossy surface;
No tablecloth or placemats when dining on such a fine lacquer table? This is a mistake you will definitely want to avoid when setting your own high gloss table.
- Use coasters and cloth pads under vases, lamps, flower pots, framed photos, and any decorative items that you put on your lacquer furniture;
- Avoid leaving sharp items on the surface – have in mind that even objects made of plastic or rubber may cause damage to your furniture because of certain chemicals in the materials;
- Avoid using crafts supplies, nail polish, and other similar materials on top of your high gloss furniture – they contain chemicals that can easily damage the finish;
- Never drag items across the lacquer surface – lift them and place them where you need them to be.
Keep the Furniture Dry at All Times
Moisture can cause irrevocable damage to your high gloss furniture, so you need to take every possible measure to prevent it from affecting your delicate pieces:
- Place protective covers on high gloss furniture pieces if there is any risk of spilling liquids on the surface – such as if you’re having a drink on your lacquer table or watering the flowers pots on your lacquer shelves, for example;
- Remove spills immediately. If you happen to spill something on your glossy furniture, make sure you wipe it off straight away, so that is doesn’t have time to dry on the surface and leave a stain or damage the fine finish in any other way;
- Be careful to prevent condensation on the delicate furniture surface as well – maintain a constant indoor temperature, keep the humidity level at about 45-50 percent, vent steam from the kitchen and bathroom outside,
However well protected your high gloss furniture may be though, it will inevitably collect some dust and dirt and get spots, sticky marks, or fingerprints. To keep it looking its best at all times and make sure it won’t lose its shine, you need to clean it on a regular basis and use safe and appropriate cleaning products and methods that will not cause any harm to the delicate pieces.
How to Clean High Gloss Furniture
The best way to clean lacquer furniture is, in fact, quite simple – all you need to do is frequently dust the glossy surfaces and wipe them down with a mild soapy solution when deeper cleaning is necessary.
Daily Upkeep
White lacquer furniture is notoriously difficult to keep in pristine condition.
For day-to-day cleaning, it’s enough to dust the lacquer furniture with a feather duster or a soft, lint-free, microfiber cloth. Wipe the surface using long, straight strokes, without applying too much pressure. If you find any fingerprints or smudges on the furniture, use an e-cloth to remove them and gently buff the surface back to its original shine.
It is also a good idea to wipe lacquer surfaces with a damp cloth every now and then. Use only clear water and make sure the cloth is not dripping wet. Gently wipe over the glossy surface, avoiding circular motions and scrubbing. Be careful to immediately wipe water droplets away as they may leave streaks or spots when they dry. Use a dry cloth to buff the surface back to a shine (make sure the cloth you use has no abrasive fibers that can cause fine scratches on the delicate finish).
Deeper Cleaning
If you have to deal with a greasy stain or a sticky mark, or if your furniture has accumulated too much dirt, you’re going to need an appropriate cleaning solution in order to restore the pristine condition of your lacquered piece. Add one teaspoon of a mild dishwashing detergent to half a gallon of water, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth in the solution, wring it well, and wipe the furniture clean (remember to use straight strokes and to apply slight downward pressure). Remove any soapy residue with a clean, damp cloth, then buff to a shine with a dry cloth.
Good to remember: Once you have cleaned up the glossy surfaces, you may need to polish them as well. It is recommended to polish your lacquer furniture two or three times a year in order to maintain its beautiful shine for longer.
Appropriate High Gloss Furniture Cleaners
There are three different types of products you can use to clean your furniture: waxes, polishes, and silicone cleaners:
- Silicone cleaners create a lovely, long-lasting shine, but they can seep into the furniture’s surface and make a barrier that will not accept stain or lacquer, preventing any chance of refinishing the furniture in the future;
- Waxes build up on the surface and create a film that conceals the natural beauty of the wood;
- High gloss furniture polishes which contain mineral oils, emulsifiers, and detergents are your best choice as they not only clean the furniture and restore its shine, but also create a protective layer against dust and dirt.
A Few More Crucial High Gloss Furniture Care Tips
Professional refinishing will successfully restore the shine and serviceability of your old lacquer pieces.
- Always dust high gloss surfaces well before cleaning them;
- Never use chemical cleaners, acetone based products, or abrasive cleaners on glossy surfaces;
- Never use rough cleaning cloths for lacquer furniture;
- Never scrub hard when cleaning high gloss furniture;
- Never let water air dry on a lacquer surface.
Even if you know how to care for high gloss furniture and maintain it in excellent condition, your cherished pieces may suffer from some kind of damage or get too worn-out over time. In such cases, you’re going to need professional help to have your lacquer pieces restored by experienced wood furniture repair specialists. They will have the advanced equipment and expert skills required to bring your high gloss furniture back to life and make it look as good and beautiful as new.
