For many people, furniture is one of the largest investments they are likely to make. And, like anything else, furniture needs regular and proper care to keeps its beauty.

Most furniture is finished with a fine lacquer or varnish, and has a sheen or gloss, ranging from high to low. This finish adds to the beauty of the wood and protects it.

Because no finish is totally indestructible, proper care is needed to make it last. Without proper care, the finish can wear out, making it necessary to have furniture refinished at great expense.

The following tips, along with the regular use of Guardsman Fine Furniture Care Products, will help your furniture investment last. Always follow the furniture care product directions.

1. Dust frequently. The Guardsman Fine Furniture Dusting Cloth is treated to attract and hold dust, and leave furniture spotless.
2. Use a quality furniture polish such as Guardsman's Furniture Polish. It will lessen your chance of expensive refinishing jobs. Polish approximately once a month.
3. Clean up spills immediately. Use a blotting action rather than a wiping action.
4. For cleaning and polishing, use a soft, lint-free, absorbent cloth. The Guardsman Polishing Cloth is ideal for this purpose.
5. Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight. Rotate it regularly.
6. Avoid extremes in humidity and temperatures. Too high or too low humidity or temperatures can cause wood to warp and crack. Glue lines could also fail.
7. Rotate accessories on the furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all the time.
8. Do not place plastic or rubber objects on a wood finish. Their ingredients react with those of the finish.
9. Use a protective pad when writing on any wood surface.
10. Make repairs while they are still small. Do not attempt to repair badly damaged areas without the proper materials or professional help. Call Guardsman FurniturePro, a Phoenix furniture repair shop for advice.