There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and
beauty to a home. Whether it is a thick, all-natural butchers
block table, an Art Deco wooden dresser, a simple mahogany
dining room table or a sleek, modern coffee table, wood
furniture is a staple in homes across America and the world.
Make sure your wood tables, vanities and dressers stay gorgeous
for generations to come with these simple solutions and
guidelines.
Stain, Stain, Go Away!
Ever gasped after a child inadvertently left a giant scratch
in the surface of your dining room table? Or cringed when
a well-meaning adult accidentally knocked over a drink onto
your beautiful wood coffee table? Well, fear not. One of
the best attributes of wood furniture is that it is simple
to touch up or renew its original luster.
Small nicks and scratches can usually be disguised with
the help of a store-bought scratch cover product. For larger
scratches, try using a felt tip pen or shoe polish in a
color closely matched to the finish of the furniture piece.
Shoe polish applicator bottles filled with the stain work
well for the cover-up job, as do Sharpie markers. Coloring
in the scratch is easy and surprisingly effective.
Get rid of pesky water spots on your wood furniture by
allowing the spots to dry completely, then rubbing real
mayonnaise onto it with a soft cloth, until the spots disappear.
Erase color rings left on tables by cups and glasses with
a homemade mixture of cigarette ashes and cooking oil. Prep
the stain first by scrubbing it with an abrasive pad or
sandpaper. Then, rub the oil and ash concoction into the
wood.
And what about candle wax, marring the beautiful finish
of your wood dining room table? Wait until the wax cools,
then apply ice. Once the wax becomes extremely hard and
brittle, gently scrape it off with a plastic spatula. Finally,
polish the table with a rich cream polish, and buff away
any residue.
Remove or Disguise Scratches and Stains
Problem: Solution:
Nicks, Scratches Magic Marker or Shoe Polish
Water Spots Mayonnaise
Color Rings Sandpaper, Ashes and Oil
Wax Ice
An Ounce of Prevention, a Lifetime of Protection
Prevent serious damage to your wood furniture by taking
care not to position it in direct sunlight. Unless you are
going for the weathered picnic table look, shield all wood
furniture from the drying influence of the sun. Also, protect
your dining room table’s finish using an inexpensive
table pad when the table is not in use.
When eating a meal or entertaining guests, use a tablecloth
or placemats to protect the finish of a wood table, especially
when serving hot food. Place hot serving dishes atop a hot
pad and candle holders over a large felt protector with
a plastic top, since plastic prevents wax from running.
Use coasters beneath all glasses and mugs to protect your
coffee table, dining room table and wood dressers from unsightly
rings and water spots. Beware, because not all coasters
are created equal. Metal coasters can sweat onto the wood,
and plastic coasters can react with certain finishes on
some wood furniture pieces. So consider choosing wooden
coasters with felt backing and a waterproof material on
top to further ensure the longevity of your wood table tops.
The best coasters are those that taper up on the sides,
preventing leakage.
Protect Your Wood Tables from Damage
Protect From: With:
General Harm Table Pad (when not in use)
Sun Damage Location out of Direct line of Sun
Heat Damage Tablecloths, Placemats, Hot Pads
Wax Felt Protector with Plastic Top
Water Damage Wood Coasters with Felt Bottom and Waterproof
top
Proper Care and Cleaning
Polishing wood furniture every week goes a long way toward
protecting the finish from damage and helping your wood
tables, chairs and dressers look their best. Beware, though,
of cheap polishes, or any polish that contains silicone
or alcohol. Alcohol can do permanent damage to a wood surface,
as can any household cleaner that contains ammonia. An excellent
polish can be easily made at home, by combining lemon oil
with 3 parts olive oil.
Now that you know about polishes, don’t forget to
clean your wood furniture as well. Regular cleaning is especially
important for coffee tables and dining room tables where
food and drink are daily staples. Use a very mild soap,
such as a diluted mixture of hand soap and water, as a cleaning
agent for your wood furniture. And if you really want to
ensure your dining room table or heirloom wood desk stays
beautiful, have your wood furniture buffed and polished
by a professional service once or twice a year.
Make Your Own Polish and Cleaning Agents
Type: Mixture:
Homemade Wood Furniture Polish = 1 part Lemon Oil + 3 parts
Olive Oil
Homemade Wood Furniture Cleaner = Hand Soap + Water
*Stay away from Alcohols and Ammonias
Now you are fully armed to properly care for your wood
furniture. And don’t be disheartened if you are unable
to make a nick or small stain disappear completely. Signs
of use can add character to a piece of wood furniture, and
are often barely noticeable. Whether it is a dresser, coffee
table, bookshelf, desk, or dining room table, wood furniture
is the perfect addition to any home.
http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=WoodCare
About The Author
BatSheva Vaknin
I have a lot of experience in the furniture retail business
and i love to write articles as a hobby.
http://www.homeandliving.com
