Handyman Guide > Furniture Upkeep

The preservation of furniture depends chiefly on regular dusting and polishing. A good furniture polish applied with vigorous rubbing and a clean, napless cloth will not only make a picce of furniture look attractive but will prescrve the wood. Apply the polish sparingly and rub the surfaccs well with the cloth.

Cleaning. A tablc or other piccc of furniture which has become grim cd cannot be expected to respond to ordinary polishing. Grease and dirt must first be removed by washing with a little warm water containing a small amount of vinegar. The correct proportion is one pint of warm water to a tablespoonful of vinegar. Several washings may be needed, a chamois leather being used for the final removal of the water. When no trace of dampness remains, apply one of the commercial furniture creams and polish the surface. Subsequent polishing should be a weekly routine. Remember to dust the room before po]jshjng. Pay equal attention to the legs and lower parts of furniture as to the top, front, and sides.

The best piece of furniture cannot be expected to remain in perfect condition, no matter how much regular attention is given to it, if exposed to harmful conditions. These include heat and damp. No piece of furniture should be left too close to a fire or radiator, as this will tend to warp and split the soundest wood. A consistently damp room can prove equally damaging to furniture. Water Stains. It sometimes happens that a tabletop, too close to an open window, becomes splashed by rain. In this case, moisture should first be mopped up with a clean cloth or chamois, and as soon as the surface is thoroughly dry, furniture cream should be liberally applied} rubbed in, and the surplus wiped off.

If water stains occur, they can be erased, when dry, by vigorous rubbing with the polishing cloth. Stains which are not removed by this treatment will generally respond to lighter fluid or benzine applied with a clean cloth. When all signs of the marks have vanished, polishing in the ordinary way should leave the area spotless.

If the stains (not ink stains) are deep seated, the following method, used with discretion, may be employed. Wrap a small wad of cotton wool in a square of clean, napless cloth, two inches square. Apply a little denatured alcohol to the pad and lightly rub over the stain, using a regular circular motion. Do not apply an excessive quantity of the alcohol, and if the pad shows signs of sticking, add one drop of linseed oil to the pad. See also the part of this section dealing with polishes and polishing for de. tailed description of types of polish, ways of preparing them, and the method of application.

Table mats should always be used on polished dining room tables to prevent heat from plates and dishes penetrating to the wood and causing unsightly marks. Vigorous rubbing with a soft cloth, after the application of cream, is needed to remove them.



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