How do you clean the drawer interiors?

Use a soft brush attachment on a vacuum to remove loose dust first. Wipe the boards with a slightly damp cloth if needed. Don't soak the wood. Let the interior dry out before putting any clothing back inside.

My drawers are sticking badly when I try to open them, especially in the winter, is there a simple way to fix this without damaging the wood?

Sticking usually happens when the timber swells from absorbing moisture in damp air. Wood expands across the grain, making the drawers tight in their openings. Rubbing a plain wax candle along the wooden runners reduces friction. If the drawers are still tight, wait for the drier summer months. Shaving the wood down should be a last resort.

Can they hold heavy clothes?

Yes. Oak is dense and handles weight well. Make sure the drawer bases are sound. If the boards are split, heavy items might push through.

I noticed some dark staining around the base of the feet on a chest I bought recently, what usually causes that kind of mark?

Dark stains on the feet usually come from damp stone floors. Historically, many ground floors were porous, allowing moisture to seep up into the end-grain of the stiles. The oak reacts with iron oxides in the soil and water, turning the timber black. It's a common historical mark and doesn't mean the wood is rotting, provided it stays dry.

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Antique Oak Chest of Drawers in South East

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An antique oak chest of drawers is a heavy, practical storage case built from native timber, originally designed to hold folded linen and clothing in seventeenth and eighteenth-century households.