Do you have a piece of wood furniture or a wood family heirloom that needs care or cleaning? You may need to simply preserve it to increase its longevity. But then, if you want to restore the piece to its original state, you would take different steps. Our goal with this 19th century trunk was to protect it for future generations yet avoid altering its present appearance. Here are a few of the recommendations and comments from the antiques specialists we consulted:

•    With proper conditions, old wood can last almost indefinitely. Be sure to protect it from UV rays and moisture, and store it in a space that has minimal (or no) fluctuations in humidity. (After all, that is how museums maintain pieces that are centuries older than this trunk.)
•    Clean the piece. The best method to remove dust, dirt and skin oils is by rubbing the surface with a soft cloth dampened with water – just water – and wrung as completely as possible. Wipe each clean section with a dry cloth. If the wood needs a more serious cleaning, you can try TSP or mineral spirits.

For wood that doesn't get clean with water alone, try a drip of dish soap in warm water to lightly dampen a soft cloth. A more aggressive cleaner is TSP (follow instructions on package); for serious grime, try using mineral spirits instead. (Wear a respirator when doing so.)

To get grime out of tight spots, use a pointed dowel that has been shaped in a pencil sharpener or try a toothpick or wood skewer. A wood tool is similar in hardness to the furniture and won't scratch it.

•    This trunk will be used for display and to store a few family treasures, so we'll probably leave it at that. If you have a table or a chair that might be touched often or sat upon, it would benefit by a hand-rubbed paste wax or a hand-applied coat of shellac. One of our experts offered this alternate formula for a rub-on application to old wood: Equal parts of turpentine, white vinegar and linseed oil.

This home-built trunk carried the belongings of a young girl and her brother across the Atlantic -- from Norway to America -- in the 1870s. Knowing a bit about that young girl (who was my great grandmother), I am guessing that the trunk was probably not newly made even then. To ensure its survival for several more generations, I sought professional advice on how to preserve this treasured chest.

•    To the question of whether the bare wood might eventually dry and crack if left unfinished, the consultant said this; "The wood has had plenty of time to dry, and it's as dry as it's going to be." Good point, I thought.
•    One more thing: Going forward, do not use oil soaps or spray-on dusting products to maintain your antique.