Type of wood, polish and paint determines which type of cleaning the piece requires. Some wood pieces having light polish do not absorb oil while others like teak and rosewood have no finishing on their surface and require furniture oil once in a year. Understanding type of wood and its finish is extremely important when you have invested great amount on them, like a wooden bed, door or window frames. Maintaining them means they will last long adding up to your sweet memories.
Oiled Wood
Oiled wood pieces have a warm and soft appearance and are easily maintainable. They occasionally need furniture oil, for the rest of their lives they do great even if you do not give them a caring shot.
- Wood pieces with oil finish require only oil not wax. If you accidently wax them, it will clog in the pores of wood and the piece will dry out.
- Water marks can be cleaned with toothpaste, make sure you are not going to use a gel. Rub it gently onto the stains for some 3 to 5 minutes until the stains are no more there. Wipe away the toothpaste with a soft and clean cloth and check if the stains are still there. You can repeat the process for any leftover marks.
- Alternatively you can use a mixture of light abrasive and oil. Abrasives may include salt, soda, ash and appropriate oils are olive oil and cooking oil.
Painted Wood
Painted wood pieces require least cleaning since color and decoration can be damaged with polish and wax. If you love your pieces clean them less.
- Vacuum the painted piece regularly; use sponge to get rid of finger marks and smudges.
- If you see a dire need of wax, do it once a year with a hard paste wax only.
Polished Wood
Polished pieces have varnish or wax finishing. Different types of cleaners and conditioners are available in market to serve polished pieces. As a ground rule, for harder and long lasting finish use paste wax instead of liquid polish. Paste wax serves antiques best.
- Wear cotton gloves while waxing furniture and fingerprints will not left behind.
- Sprinkling cornstarch over recently polished furniture gives it an extra shine and gloss. Cornstarch will absorb extra oil or wax leaving behind a glossy surface free of fingerprints.
- Take about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and apply gently on the stains. Rub it with a soft white cotton cloth to let the effects reach into the surface, let it stay on the wood overnight while covering it with a cloth, bowl or aluminium foil to keep it from drying out and next morning simply wipe the mayonnaise
Specialty Wood
Pieces made up of specialty wood usually bear a natural finish but some of them may have varnish finish.
- Vacuum specialty wood pieces
- Rinse them occasionally with water so that fibers will not be damaged due to lack of moisture. Do not rinse rush chair seats as they are prone to damage.
- Moisture can tighten the cane seats. Spray water on unvarnished side and let it dry naturally.
- Water stains are no more to worry about. Now you are properly equipped with easy and economic tipsthat will help you a great deal in restoring the lost away charm and shine of your wooden bed.
Wood pieces are no more to worry about. A little care is enough to do great for them and now you are properly equipped with knowledge to restore the lost away charm and shine of your wood pieces.
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