Furniture is made from wood not least because it is aesthetically pleasing. Neither wood nor wood-based products should be left standing in water or exposed to moisture (or chemical solvents) for long periods.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents when caring for your furniture.
Antistatic, lint-free wipes are usually adequate for daily cleaning purposes.
Modern surface materials do not become brittle or crack and offer above average lightfast performance. However, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight (UV radiation). Not even polishes can repair this type of damage.
Please note:
Some finishes can be sensitive to plastics containing “plasticisers”. These can be found, e.g. in the bases of telephones, audio and TV equipment but also in plastic table cloths or place mats. Felt underlays are one solution..