General Maintenance Of Wood

When it comes to general maintenance, all wood can be cleaned with a mild detergent – we recommend your standard dishwashing soap diluted with water. Simply damp a clean cloth and rub gently into the wood, making sure to dry it with a clean, dry cloth. You should remember to dust and shine any wood on your furniture regularly, but over time any polish that you use combines with the general dust around a house which can leave dark films on the wood. To combat this, you will need to deep clean the wood periodically. First you need to dust the furniture to remove any surface dirt, and then apply a gentle cleanser of soap or mild detergent dissolved in water to a damp soft cloth and wipe the surface. Make sure not to saturate the wood and ensure that you dry the piece thoroughly with another clean cloth.

HOW TO DUST YOUR WOOD

Best practice means that you should dust the wood of your furniture about once a week. This helps the normal layer of debris that can build up over time and scratch the surface of your furniture. To dust your wood, dampen a clean, dry cloth and gently wipe the surface. The moisture will collect the dust, making it easy to dissolve. If you need help getting into tight spaces and corners, use a specialized vacuum nozzle or feather duster.

HOW TO POLISH WOOD

You should consider polishing your furniture as a protective measure once or twice a year. Here is what you need to know when it comes to polishing: As you should use the same polish time after time, it is worth spending a little money to find the right product that buffs your furniture beautifully but always remember to test any product on an inconspicuous area of the wood first. Always rub the polish very gently on the surface to form a thin coat and leave it to dry before buffing it to a clear shine. As always, you should use a dry, clean cloth to ensure maximum shine.

GETTING RID OF MARKS OR STAINS

If you happen to spill something on your furniture and the wood gets stained, there is no need to panic quite yet! You can remove some water stains by mixing baking soda with some water and gently wiping the mark. Wipe it off with a damp cloth, and dry with a clean, dry towel. Target any grease or sticky spots on unsealed wood with a gentle cleaning solution of soap or mild detergent dissolved in water. Harder stains such as watermarks or alcohol spots can also be cleaned but will require a stronger solution such as polish.

WHAT NORMALLY DAMAGES WOOD ON FURNITURE?

In order to avoid any damage and ensure your Duresta furniture stands the test of time, below is a list of some of the most common ways that wood is likely to be damaged:

  • Bleaching, warping and discolouration by exposure to excessive sunlight.
  • Warping and splitting of the wood by exposure to significant changes in temperature (so try and keep your wooden furniture in a room that stays relatively at the same temperature).
  • Damage from a lack of care when moving furniture around.
  • Teeth marks from pets and animals.