Some useful tips about caring your furniture.
Furniture is durable and everlasting and they need regular care to stay this way. From antique to furniture on rent a little care can maintain furniture durability, beauty and purpose for a long time. Every piece is unique and here are a few tips to help you keep it pristine.
Avoid using a spray furniture cleaning product on your antique furniture, they leave an oily residue. It’s not the shine you need to preserve but the patina. Never use anything that has a rough texture to it. This could scratch the furniture you’re trying to preserve. Avoid feather dusters too the broken feathers are like little scratchy sticks that can mar the surface. Apply a little good-quality paste wax at a time, rubbing softly following the grain of the wood, building up a deep layered finish. A furniture’s patina, especially on an older piece, is very important and must be nurtured. This process should be done at least once a year.
When it comes to wood, frequent dusting removes airborne deposits that build up in a filmy layer and can scratch the surface. Clean, dry, soft cloths or feather dusters will effectively remove dust. Dampen the cloth to prevent the dust from resettling. To get rid of sticky spots dip the cloth in mild soap or detergent dissolved in water, wring the cloth nearly dry, and wipe the area. Rinse and immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth. Waxing wood furniture can preserve the shine for a long time.
Regular dry-cloth dusting and vacuum cleaning in crevices or along the bottom is all that is necessary to clean your furniture. Protect your furniture from sun and direct light. Like any upholstery material, leather can fade to some degree if exposed to the sun. Leather is easy to care for, just use a conditioner every 6-12 months and wipe up spills as they occur with a clean cloth. Avoid using normal cleaning supplies like soaps, detergents, solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps, or ammonia water. For butter, oil, or grease stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth, and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time.
A cloth or sponge using water and mild, non-detergent soap and wiped dry is the simplest method to clean metal. Abrasive scrubbers or cleaners should not be used as they can scratch the finish, and expose the metal to rust-inducing moisture. For ingrained dirt, use window cleaner or a non-abrasive multi-purpose cleaner. When cleaning keep an eye out for scratches or any signs of rust, especially at furniture joints. Apply touch-up paint to scratches to prevent rust. If rust or mould is present, sand the area lightly using fine-grit sandpaper and apply rust-proof touch-up paint. To remove oxidization from aluminium furniture, use a solution of equal parts of white vinegar and water; avoid alkaline cleaners as they cause oxidation.
