How do I clean the inside wood?

Start with a dry cloth. Wipe away the loose dust that settles in the corners and along the drawer runners. If the boards feel sticky, a cloth lightly dampened with mild soapy water works. Dry the timber straight away so moisture doesn't soak into the grain. Leave the doors open for a few hours. The fresh air removes lingering dampness before you put your fabrics back in.

I bought one last week and the drawers are really stiff when I try to pull them out, how can I fix this?

Wax is your best friend here. You'll want to rub a standard beeswax polish along the wooden runners underneath the drawer. Apply a little to the sides where they rub against the carcase. It acts as a dry lubricant and gets things moving smoothly again.

Can they hold heavy clothes?

Antique linen cupboards handle weight very well. The shelves and trays were built to carry stacks of dense fabrics. Just check the condition of the drawer bottoms. If the timber has split or dropped over time, heavy winter jumpers might push the boards out of their grooves.

The one I am looking at has shelves instead of sliding trays in the top section, does that mean it has been altered?

It doesn't always mean the piece was altered. Many country makers used fixed shelves from the start to keep construction simple. Town workshops preferred sliding trays for convenience. If you see empty runners scored into the sides of the carcase, they've probably lost their original trays somewhere along the way.

Home > Cupboards > Linen Cupboards > Page 6

Victorian Linen Cupboards

← Page 6 of 7 →

Large freestanding cabinets built with broad shelves behind panelled doors, antique linen cupboards were designed to hold the folded household textiles of prosperous families.