Wood Care Tips
(Protecting and preserving your investments)

How to clean wood furniture:
Annual Cleaning- Mix a bucket of warm water and dish soap. Use only as much soap as is required to create thick suds.  Whip until thick suds form on top. Scoop only the suds off the top and put suds on the wooden furniture. Wash with cloth and dry IMMEDIATELY with large bath towel. Test in an inconspicuous area first for  any discoloration. Do sections at a time so that the soapy water does not sit for long.
Quarterly - Feed your wood!
When a tree grows it produces its own oil. When it’s cut, the moisture is dried out and some oil remains. Over time the oils deplete. Use Exact Match Luster Restore liberally four times a year to restore the natural oils found in wood. Allow to soak in for an hour and wipe off excess. In heavily used areas such as a kitchen table more frequent use may be required.
Dust your wood weekly. Here are various forms of dusting.
1. Feather Duster-only recommended for quick touch ups unless using an ostrich feather duster.
2. Damp rag and dry rag.
3. Using a solution of 90% water and 10% vinegar in a spray bottle, spray a cotton rag (old terry cloth towels are great) and wipe with the grain. Dry with the same type of dry cloth.

AEROSOL POLISH IS NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!

 If you have used a product or polish that contains silicon, you have a short window of time to remove it before it penetrates and becomes permanent.   Aerosol  polishes  build up. You need to clean and feed your wood furniture to maintain the natural oils present when it was new. When using a liquid polish, apply to the rag first and then wipe with the grain.

Protection and Awareness

The only safe products to use on wood surfaces are cotton or felt. Plastic, rubber, or vinyl will eventually merge with the wood finish. Put felt adhesive pads on the bottoms of lamps, clocks, radios, alarm clocks, phones, and anything else that will be on your wooden furniture for long periods of time. Also be aware of how long that book is sitting on the table. Books with high gloss color covers can affect the wood surface it is sitting on.

Children’s toys: Any toy with rubber tires (monster trucks, toy cars…) will eventually stick to the wood finish. Don’t allow kids to put stickers on wood. If they do, it can be removed with lighter fluid or even creamy peanut butter. Glass Tops are recommended for heavily used surfaces.  Coasters or placemats are always recommended. 

Drawer Glides: The easier they work, the longer they’ll last. Drawer lube or petroleum jelly work very well. Also, put a little on the bottom of the sides of drawer. This is where friction occurs most.

Direct sunlight, lack of humidity, nail polish and remover, cologne, perfumes and spills are ALL bad. Cologne or perfume trays with cotton bottom or pads are recommended.

Protecting your wood floors from damage:

The nylon glides that usually come on the bottom of your furniture will frequently damage wood floors for various reasons:
1. The glide is cracked or missing and the nail is still there. (replace)
2. The furniture was slid on a concrete surface and glides are not smooth. (sand lightly)
3. The guide is missing. (replace)
4. Nylon glides are hard and dirt, debris, or dust on the floor acts as an abrasive when chairs are pulled in and out, which scratches your floor.

Felt Pads are recommended. Adhesive types will require occasional inspections and replacements.  The adhesive types usually work better if you remove the nylon glide and nail before applying.

Drawers

• Drawers should operate smoothly in and out.
• Drawers should be evenly gapped.
• Drawers should not wobble or tip down. 
 
If drawers don’t operate as above there is a problem. There are several different types of glides and stops! Most drawers can be removed by forcefully pulling out in one complete motion. Check to see if there are plastic tabs fastened to the frame or drawer. If so, gently push down or pull up, and pull drawer out gently. If you are trying to remove office style drawers there is usually a release lever on the sides inside the track near the back. Usually, to remove an office type drawer, tip up one side and push down on the other side. If  after trying these techniques you are unsure as to how to remove the drawer, consult a professional repair person. Don’t repeatedly force the drawer. You could break it.

Once you have removed the drawer, inspect the glides.  If the glides are loose, tighten them. If they won’t tighten, use a thicker or longer screw. If there is a plastic fitting at the back underside of drawer and the drawer won’t stay on track, it needs to be replaced. Most drawer problems can be repaired after inspecting and determining what is not right.

Leather Care

Remove body oils as often as needed. It is recommended, every 2-4 weeks by combining a mild dish soap and warm water on finished leather.  Beat mixture until suds are formed. Using a rag, wash furniture using mainly suds; pat dry. After leather is completely dry, use a high grade leather conditioner.

Upholstery

Keep the dust off and staining will be minimal. Vacuum your upholstery as dust settles or something spills. A combination of the liquid spilled and dust is what causes a stain. As liquid is spilled, spot clean with carpet and upholstery cleaner- always test in an inconspicuous spot first.
You can also use warm water and vinegar… pad and press, DON’T RUB IT IN! If you have micro fiber, you can use rubbing alcohol, don’t use unless you are POSITIVE it is micro fiber, and do not get alcohol near wood.