To clean and preserve wood tables and chairs, wipe them with a soft cloth
that is either dry or slightly damp. If necessary, use a little water and a
mild cleaner such as Murphy's Oil Soap. Be careful not to use harsh cleaners
or abrasives, as they may harm or blemish the finish. Occasional use of a high-grade
furniture polish can help to maintain luster. Consult the product instructions
for the exact piece for more information.
Light, particularly visible and ultraviolet
(UV) light, is very damaging to organic materials such as wood. Damage from
light is cumulative and irreversible. A table top exposed to diffuse light
for several years will suffer similar effects of light damage as a table
top exposed to direct sunlight for a shorter time. Light provides the energy
and increased temperature necessary to chemically degrade finishes and wood
colorants, and in severe cases, cause the wood cell structure to break down.
Clear finishes often turn yellow or opaque in response to light, and the
color of the wood itself can also change. The resulting damaged finishes
and bleached wood cannot be restored to their original color without stripping
and refinishing, a practice not recommended as loss of the "patina" or
evidence of use can affect the furniture's monetary value.
To limit the effects of light, move all furniture out of direct sunlight,
utilize blinds or curtains to block the intensity of sunlight and allow it
to diffuse evenly throughout a room, and keep lights in rooms turned off
when not in use. UV light, which is particularly damaging to wood and fabrics,
can be screened out by applying a UV-filtering film to windows.
When cleaning, water should be used only in small
quantities - preferably just a damp cloth. The furniture should always be
wiped off with a dry cloth. This also applies to the use of soap solution.
Changes in the relative humidity occur with the seasons and can cause solid
wooden table tops to warp or become slightly marked.
If you spill any liquids on a wood surface, wipe immediately. Clean
your furniture by dusting the surface with a soft dry cloth, or polishing
with the appropriate furniture polish for the desired luster you prefer.
You may cover or touch up small scratches scratch remover, or touch
up stick which can be purchased in a paint store.
Unless your furniture has a new "super finish" to protect
it, use coasters to prevent spills, stains and damage from hot dishes. Blot
all spills immediately. Keep solvents, alcohol, nail polish and polish removers
away from your furniture surfaces. When dusting, always lift lamps and other
objects - don't slide then across the furniture's surface.
Teak is extremely easy to care for and very resistant to stains.
There is no other hard wood as durable as teak for home and office use. If
necessary, it may be cleaned daily with a dry or slightly damp cloth. To
keep teak looking beautiful, it should be oiled every 3 to 4 months. The
oil may be applied with a cloth or fine triple zero steel wool. Always rub
in the direction of the grain. The steel wool will help remove stubborn stains
that may have formed on top of the wood. After oiling, the teak must be thoroughly
rubbed with a dry, absorbent cloth. All the oil must be rubbed off the surface.
In fact, it should feel just as dry to the touch as it did before you started
to oil. Teak, properly cared for, will change color slightly, the grain structure
will be more pronounced, and it will become more beautiful as it ages.
Rub with scratch-concealing
polish, or with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the
grain until the burn mark disappears.
Rub gently along the grain,
using a dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil
or mineral spirits, or rub gently along the grain with extra-fine (0000)
steel wool. Wipe clean and wax or polish.
Blot the spill immediately,
then rub with fine steel wool (0) dipped in wax. Wipe dry and wax or polish.
If fresh, remove latex
paint with water and oil-based paint with mineral spirits. If dry, soak spot
in boiled linseed oil, wait until paint softens and lift carefully with a
putty knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil. Residue
can be removed by rubbing along the grain with a paste of boiled linseed
oil and rottenstone. Wipe dry and wax or polish.
Dampen the paper thoroughly
with salad oil, wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine
(0000) steel wool. Wipe dry and wax or polish.
Harden the substance by
holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it, then use your fingernail
or plastic credit card to remove it. Rub the area with extra-fine (0000)
steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry and wax or polish.
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