Despite extreme care, accidents with your wooden furniture are bound to occur, especially when there are kids around the house. They invariably tend to spill or drag something across your precious wooden furniture, causing stains and scratches which soon become eyesores.
However, there is a lot you can do amend all that. Below is the first part of a ready guide for the most common stains and problems that may arise with any of your solid wood furniture.
Wax or Dirt:
To clean wooden furniture of wax or dirt, dampen a clean rag with some mineral spirit and wipe across the wooden surface. Do this until all the dirt is picked up into the rag. To remove the dirt that collects in the grooves and crevices of carved areas use a cotton swab dipped in spirit. Immediately treat with whatever the product was finished in (Danish oil, bees wax, etc.)
Water Stains:
For recent and mild stains, cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter and press down hard for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work, rub with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste and leave it on for about 15 minutes. For older or tougher stains leave it for more time, even overnight if required. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Milk or Alcohol:
For milk or alcohol stains rub it with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain. Substitute pumice instead of rottenstone for dull finishes. Wipe the surface dry and wax or oil.
More tips in part two…
Tags: Handy hints, Oak furniture
