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FAQ and Tips
Helpful Tips
WOOD CARE
Proper polishing of real wood furniture is very important to prolong the life of the furniture. Wood needs to have its natural moisture replenished to prevent the wood from prematurely drying out. A polish containing real lemon oil is the best thing for treating your fine wood furniture. Make sure that the polish contains real lemon oil, not just a lemon fragrance. Always polish with a soft white cloth. Polish in the direction of the grain of the wood. Avoid using any polishes that contain alcohol or silicone. Alcohol can have a drying effect on the wood and silicone can often leave a smeared appearance. If your wood furniture is already coated with a high build-up of old polish or wax, you need to remove this first before applying fresh lemon oil polish. The old polish and wax can be removed by using a furniture cleaner designed for this purpose. Furniture cleaners and good lemon oil polishes are readily available at most major hardware stores.
White water rings and water spots can sometimes result on table tops from moisture or condensation of beverage glasses. These water rings can usually be easily removed without damage to the finish, especially when they are removed shortly after they occur. Alcohol (also know as shellac thinner) can be applied to the water ring area using a soft, white cotton cloth. Apply the alcohol in the direction of the grain keeping it confined to the water ring area. The alcohol will displace the water and the ring should disappear. After using the alcohol it may be necessary to apply a light coat of lemon oil polish for a uniform sheen appearance. Please use caution while working with the alcohol. It is a flammable liquid and should not be used near any open flame or spark source. Also, you should pre-test the furniture in an out of the way area of the furniture to make sure that the alcohol does not harm the existing wood finish. Alcohol should not harm any finish other than shellac. If you see any harmful outcome in your test area, then do not use this technique on the water ring.
Damages to finished wood top surfaces are often caused by the decorative accessories found around our homes. This can include lamps, knick knacks, vases, figurines and all of the other items that we place on top of our wood furniture. Damages caused by these items can sometimes be extensive and costly to repair. It often might result in the total refinishing of the top surface. Prevention of these damages is a more logical and cost effective solution. Felt discs and felt strips are readily available in several shapes and sizes at your local paint stores, hardware stores and home centers. They come in various colors and they usually have a self-adhesive backing. We strongly recommend that you look at all of the items around your home for the potential for surface damages. Even some items with flat bottoms, such as porcelain vases or porcelain figurines, might look like they will not cause any damage but can cause some slight abrasions over a period of time. These items are all candidates for protective felt discs. Please take the time to look around your home for these potential damage causing items. Almost every home has some form or another of these items that can damage your finished wood top surfaces. Remember! Prevention is much less expensive than correction.
Mold and mildew growth and odor can be a tremendous problem on wood furnishings. The odor can usually be detected all over but the actual growth is usually on the inside and underside of furnishings. One method for elimination of this problem is to wipe down the interior, bottoms or other unfinished areas with a mild solution of chlorine bleach in water. If cleaning is also necessary, you can add a few drops of liquid dish detergent to the cleaning solution. The chlorine bleach should be used at a rate of 1 tablespoon to a quart of water. Remember not to drip the bleach on any of the finished wood surfaces. The finished areas should be cleaned with a wood cleaner (available at any paint store or home center) and then, if possible, the finished wood item should be left in direct sunlight to dry. You should only leave it in the sunlight for a few hours at the most. Sunlight can be a natural oxidizer and will have a positive effect on killing the source of the mold/mildew odor. Remember, this should only be performed after all the other mildew elimination services listed above have been performed.
METAL CARE
Exposed painted surfaces can oxidize over time. Faded paint can be refreshed with an automotive cleaner and wax. Heavily oxidized surfaces may require a treatment with a restorative product to remove the oxidation such as a fine automotive polishing compound.
Avoid the use of rubbing compound which is more abrasive and can leave fine scratches in the paint. Follow up with a coat of wax.
Chips in the paint on wrought iron furniture should be touched up to prevent rust. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol, lightly sand and touch-up the paint using an touch up kit from the manufacturer if available or use an automotive touch-up paint that closely matches the color.
The use of an rust resistant primer will help keep the rust from spreading. If the touched up area is too glossy, it can be dulled down by buffing the area with extra fine (0000) steel wool.
The fasteners used to assemble the frame should be checked periodically for rust or corrosion. Replace any that show signs of deterioration. Lubricate chair swivels regularly.
FABRIC AND VINYL CARE
Vinyl upholstery fabrics are
produced porous to allow perspiration venting and will absorb stains.
Wash with mild detergent and water. Use a soft bristle brush for
stubborn soil. Rinse and dry. Some household cleaners and solvents
remove plasticizers from vinyl, making them brittle. Abrasive cleaners
scratch the smooth surface. Sometime letting detergent solution stand on
surface and "soak" a few minutes loosens soil.
Vinyl cleaners sold in furniture stores or auto
stores help clean stubborn soil on vinyl upholstery. Vinyl upholstery
will absorb stains and dye from fabrics that crock or bleed (like
crocking blue jeans on white vinyl or bright prints that bleed). A vinyl
protective finish, sold at same stores, helps protect upholstery and
resists or retards absorption of stains. Act at once to remove stains
from vinyl. Use a white cloth or paper towels. Keep solvents away from
wood or metal parts. When solvents other than water are used to remove a
stain, wash the area with detergent and water, rinse and dry. Nail
polish and polish remover will cause permanent damage if left on the
surface. Wipe off quickly. Blot; do not spread the liquid. Sponge
lightly with synthetic turpentine or mineral spirits. While nail polish
remover or amyl acetate will remove polish, both may affect the vinyl.
Use them only if necessary at you own risk.
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