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The beauty of furniture care is that it helps
to protect your investment. Fine furniture is an important purchase. Proper
care will help maintain your furniture's finish and ensure that it looks
great year after year.
Caring for your rustic furniture:
Caring for furniture is easy. Follow a few
simple guidelines will help extend the life of your furniture.
- Always dust with a polish moistened
cloth. Polish cushions the cloth, eliminating the scratching that occurs
with dry dusting. Dust will scratch the furniture surface if not removed
properly.
- Use a soft, clean cloth that won't
scratch the surface. Avoid coarse or scratchy materials or fabrics.
- Never use soap and water on furniture.
Water can penetrate the finish and raise the grain on wood, causing
damage.
Some of the enemies of rustic furniture:
Many common problems in furniture care are
caused by the elements. If you are aware of these troublemakers, the
resulting damage can easily can be avoided.
- Sunlight's ultraviolet rays can damage
wood finishes. Arrange furniture out of direct sunlight; use sun
screening drapes during intense sunlight hours; rotate furniture in
place and in room arrangements.
- Liquid spills will damage furniture if
not removed promptly. Use coasters under beverage glasses and saucers
under cups and flower pots. If a spill occurs, immediately blot it
gently without rubbing the surface.
- Heat creates a chemical change in the
furniture finish which can result in a white spot. Use protective pads
under hot dishes, utensils or cooking appliances.
- High humidity causes wood to swell.
Low humidity causes wood to lose moisture and shrink. Extreme changes
cause warping, splitting and cracking.
- Try to keep humidity as constant as
possible.
Choosing the Right
Products: A quality polish enhances the natural beauty of wood by
complementing the luster and enriching the grain. It protects the finish
because it serves as a temporary barrier to spilled liquids. The cleaning
ingredients in polish effectively remove smudges, dust and soil when
properly applied. Tips for Better Dusting:
- Be sure to use the same type of polish
consistently. Your furniture will appear cloudy or streaky if oil-based
and wax-based polishes are interchanged.
- Always use a fine furniture polish
when dusting. Never dry dust, as it could case microscopic scratches on
your furniture surface. Remember to change dusting cloths frequently
since a dirty cloth may scratch your furniture's surface.
- Spray your furniture surface evenly,
but not too generously. Wipe in a circular motion with a soft, clean
cloth to clean and loosen the old polish.
- Then, buff until completely dry for a
beautiful shine and a smudge-resistant finish. For wood trim, spray
polish on the cloth first, then dust.
Courtesy of PledgeŽ Furniture Polish
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