Break a nut (Brazil, butternut or walnut) in half and rub it into the scratch.
Use a brown crayon or shoe dye to color the scratch (yes, really!).
To remove white water rings, use one of these methods:
Rub with paste wax and very fine steel wool.
Rub the spot with a lint-free cloth moistened with camphorated oil, and wipe it immediately afterward with a clean cloth.
Mix two or three drops of ammonia with some hot water. Dip in a small piece of cheesecloth, wring it out well, and rub the spot.
Place a clean blotter over the spot and press gently with a warm iron.
A note for those who have pianos: the ivory keys will yellow with age. Slow the process by exposing the ivory to light – leave the piano keyboard open as much as possible. Clean the piano keys by simply dusting them. If more extensive cleaning is needed, you can wipe them down with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then with a cloth dampened with water alone, and dry them immediately.
Caring for Antique Wood Furniture
Antiques require special consideration to keep them in good condition. Dust, wax, and polish your antique wood furniture, but leave anything else to a professional.
When dusting antiques, use a flannel rag; it will collect the dust without needing chemical cleaning agents.
Treat a “sticky” drawer slide by adding some soap or beeswax to help it glide more easily.
Use a soft paintbrush to dust gilded areas or carved wood details.
For antiques with a hard finish, use paste wax, either beeswax or carnauba wax. Beeswax is softer and more nourishing, while carnauba is a tougher and more durable wax. You can find either type in hardware stores, and they come in varying shades to blend in with the tone of the wood (you can also purchase clear wax for painted surfaces). Apply the wax with a flannel cloth.