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Wood Furniture Care and Cleaning Tips | |
There is nothing that matches the look and feel of a piece of solid wood furniture. It looks rich, feels rich, heck it even smells rich. Depending upon how big the piece is, and the type of wood that it's made of, you might even have to BE rich in order to be able to afford it. But, no matter what you spent, you'll get a lifetime of enjoyment out of your solid wood furniture piece if you follow these simple tips:
Do not place solid wood furniture in direct sunlight as this will cause the wood to fade.
Do place the piece too close to heating or cooling sources such as radiators or heating and air conditioning ducts. Too much heat will cause the wood to dry and split. Excessive cold air may cause the wood to "sweat" and the moisture could ruin the wood's finish.
Do not place plastic or rubber items including coasters, lamp bases, place mats, etc. on the piece. These types of items contain chemicals and solvents which may damage the wood finish.
Use soft pads made of cotton or felt to protect the piece from scratches and other damage which can be caused by plastic and rubber items, hot dishes, beverages, bookends, flowerpots, etc.
Rotate accessory items so they do not remain on the same spot all of the time. This allows the wood finish to age equally and avoids spots and blemishes when the accessories are eventually moved.
Clean up spills the moment that they happen. Use a blotting action, don't wipe. Water will leave white spots and, perhaps, raise the grain of the wood. Alcohol-based stains will likely damage the finish severely.
Protect the wood by using a thick pad of paper if you are going to be using the piece as a writing desk.
Never drag anything across the piece. Lift and place accessories carefully.
Clean the piece by using a clean, soft, and dry lint-free cloth. Wipe gently in the direction of the grain. Avoid using cleaning or dusting products which contain silicone. The silicone permeates the wood and will prevent you from applying a touch up finish if the piece ever becomes marred.
Avoid furniture wax as this actually attracts dirt and dust. Use a wood polish which is labeled as containing detergents, emulsifiers and mineral oil. Detergents will safely clean dirt from the furniture. Emulsifiers aid the detergent in removing dirt, and the mineral oil protects the wood surface until the next time you clean.
It's simple to take care of your solid wood furniture. All it takes is a little bit of time and a little bit of common sense.
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