subject: How to Preserve Your Furniture [print this page] Furniture preservation isn't just something you do for your great-grandmother's bedroom furniture or your antique poster bed. By properly taking care of furniture you buy today, you can enjoy it for years to come.
One of the best tips for protecting furniture is to make sure you start the act of preservation as soon as you can. Whether your furniture is brand new or years old, it's never too early or too late to start maintaining it correctly.
Though it is meant for outdoor, but the best idea is to cover the furniture when it is raining. If you forget, then remember to wipe them with dry cloth immediately after the rain stops. Nevertheless, wiping the furniture with mild soap will do the ultimate job of keeping intact the fresh look of the piece. A quick presence of mind will do the job, for instance if you spill liquid on furniture, then rubbing it with a dry cloth is the main idea.
The longer you can let mayo sit, the better for the shine. Rubbing it liberally in the direction of the wood grain can do wonders for removing marks of all sorts. Remember that mayonnaise is comprised of oil, vinegar and eggs: Oil and eggs give the shine while the vinegar cleanses. Give it a try, you'll be surprised.
Most furniture and fabric stores also sell more generic covers that are designed to fit a wider range of pieces. When buying a cover for a futon or sofa that will only be used occasionally, and removed when guests come for example, it is actually better to buy one that is easy to remove. Look for a cover that utilizes ties to affix to the mattress. While it may appear a little bulky, removal or re-installation will take just a few seconds.
Once you have your area prepared you need to wash the wood first. Give it a good hard scrubbing to ensure the removal of any mildew or mold. Once the wood has completely dried you can move on to the next step. The next step is to remove any final dust that has accumulated during the drying process. Use something like a mineral spirit on an old rag and just rub it all over. Now your furniture is ready for staining.
If any of your furnishings have cushion or other fabrics, keep these inside until you use them. While some fabrics are made to withstand the weather and rain, it's still best to keep them out of it. You don't want any mold problems which will eventually ruin these types of products fairly quickly.
Though termites are not common in most homes, they are prone to causing a huge menace. The solution is seeking a professional fumigation.
Use cleaners, waxes and polishes to help protect the finish on all your furniture from scratches and abrasions.
Like Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, think "plastics." The chemical components in plastics eat away at your furniture over time, and in some cases very quickly. If you have lights or appliances in direct contact with wooden table tops, it is recommended to put a soft felt coating beneath the appliance. This way, your furniture only comes into contact with the felt coating, never the plastic.
Smart and caring cat owners know that claws are very important to cats. Claws give the cat a sense of security, knowing that their defense system is intact. They also allow the cat to grasp and hold objects as well as establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing and stretching.
