Routine Care Will Keep Your Cedar Chest Tip Top

Cedar chests, like any quality furniture item, require routine care to keep them looking their best and to extend the time between refinishing.

Routine Cleaning for Cedar Chests
The best, and easiest, way to clean cedar chests is with routine dusting using a soft cloth. Some people like to use a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the exterior surfaces of their cedar chests. It is best not to use familiar spray polishes and waxes. Some of these products contain silicone. Cedar chests are more difficult to refinish if they have been treated with silicone in the past. For newer cedar chests, an oil soap cleaner will remove wax build-up. For heirloom cedar chests, pick an inconspicuous location, or contact a furniture specialist, before trying using any product on older finishes.

Occasional Waxing for Cedar Chests
Paste wax applied lightly with a soft cloth keeps cedar chests looking gorgeous. Be sure to follow the directions included with the wax for best results. Generally, you'll want to apply the wax in the same direction with the wood grain. Be sure to buff the wax until it is completely incorporated to prevent streaking and smearing. Carnauba paste wax is especially beneficial for older cedar chests because it can fill in and protect cracks in the finish.

Preventive Maintenance for Cedar Chests
Any location with extreme fluctuations in humidity and temperature can be detrimental to the joints and finishes of cedar chests. The fluctuations could cause the joints to expand and contract and eventually loosen; likewise such extremes might accelerate cracking the finish of cedar chests. Therefore, it is best to place the chest in a temperature regulated room, preferably away from direct sunlight. Also, cedar chests should not be exposed to liquid-filled containers - beverage tumblers, food bowls, or fresh flower vases - without the protection of a mat or coaster.

Treating Stains, Streaks, and Scratches on Cedar Chests
Before attempting to remove any stain, remember that some stains, especially older stains, penetrate past the finish and are impossible to remove without refinishing. This can include stains from alcohol that have not been immediately wiped up (including alcoholic beverages, perfumes and other toiletry or household items), some rubber and plastic backed matting that has reacted with the finish, and burn marks. Cedar chests with streaked surfaces might have too much wax build-up. Clean with a polishing solvent and be sure to wipe clean. Scratches and cracks are impossible to remove from cedar chests without refinishing; however, you can mask minor scratches and cracks by polishing with paste wax.

Cedar chests are attractive additions to any room's decor. With a little care and correct treatment, you can proudly display yours for years to come.