Does anyone know what effect direct sunlight has on wood? I have a nice, 100 year old oak (I think) table. It's in the direct sun now, and I'm wondering if I should get into the habit of lowering the blinds to protect it. Or is it very hardy in bright light?

Thanks, boomer.
I was hoping that extra oiling of the wood would provide enough protection. But it doesn't seem so. So down the shades go, angled just enough to prevent the direct sunlight from blazing down!

Sea,
My home has chestnut wood moldings and doors circa 1930 -- the wood that has been continually exposed to sunlight is so much lighter, dried out and out of square than wood that as not. To look at my closet doors, you would think that the insides are painted or stained 10 shades darker than the fronts, but they haven't been touched -- just that the fronts have had sunlight beating on them for 75 years. Be vigilant about protecting your table from the sun if you really love it.

By the way - I've already ruined part of my table by cleaning it with Mrs. Meyer's wood furniture cream cleaner. I stopped as soon as I saw what was happening.

I always see people raving about the Caldrea/Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products on this site - but I won't trust them anymore!

boomer,
Thank you! (p.s. But I snuck onto this site from New York.) I'll just use my Murphy's oil soap - which does work well on my wood floors, at least....

And how come everyone knows not to use furniture polish on furniture except me? Actually, I DID know not to use the regular commercial brands, and nothing with silicone, etc. ...But I thought it was okay to trust the "all natural" Mrs. Meyer's. Ha.

I would highly recommend a product called The Natchez Solution-- http://www.natchezsolution.com/ --for putting on your furniture. All natural and your furniture looks wonderful...it revived a side table of mine.