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Keep Your Dining Room Furniture Looking New
November 24, 2015 01:35:30pm
Does your dining room get a lot of use? For some homeowners, the dining room is an epicenter of activity, including family dinners every night, and guests every weekend. For other homeowners, the dining room may only be used on special occasions. In any case, you want to keep the dining room furniture in good shape and the room looking great. Our tips will help!
Tip 1: Dust often.
Dust is one of wood furniture’s worst enemies. Dust is naturally abrasive, and leaves microscopic scratches all over a wooden surface, giving it the appearance of being dingy. The best way to avoid this is to dust often, even when you don’t think you need to. Dust at least weekly in order to prevent the buildup of dust. Dust all smooth surfaces, including the individual chair legs and backing, the table legs, and all cracks and crevices, always wiping in the direction of the grain. Use a dusting cloth or cloth mit. Cotton cloths are best because the fibers can trap and hold dust particles. Avoid feather dusters, because any broken feathers or sharp spines can scratch the wood surface, and avoid any type of cleaning pad or wipe that will leave behind a residue. Residue will attract even more dust.
Tip 2: Inspect your furniture routinely.
While tidying up after a dinner party, take the opportunity to inspect each piece of furniture. Look for nicks and scratches that may have recently appeared on the chair legs, water rings and cracks in the finish of the table’s surface. Inspect the padding and fabric, as well. Dinner parties can last for hours, during which time food and wine spills may occur, as well as small tears and other damage. Inspecting your furniture routinely will allow you to deal with issues as they happen, and make note of larger issues that need to be addressed, even if by a professional furniture restoration company.
Tip 3: Protect against scratches.
Scratches befall all wood surfaces, but with the right precautions, your wood dining room set will stay in good repair. Use linen or cotton table cloths and placemats rather than other courser woven ones that can potentially scratch the surface, or plastic or other synthetic fibers that could leave behind a residue. Buy or make cork or felt pads to keep underneath heavy candlesticks, flower arrangements, or other centerpieces. Replace the cork or felt several times per year to ensure they are still effective. When the table is not in use, cover it with the leaf or soft table cloth.
Tip 4: Protect against damage from liquids.
Liquid spills, condensation, and other moisture will leave water rings or otherwise damage the finish or even the wood itself. When a spill occurs, wipe it up immediately. Use hot pads under any hot plates to prevent heat damage.
Tip 5: Schedule time for your furniture with a professional furniture refinishing and upholstering company.
Even when you take every possible precaution, your dining room furniture will likely still need the attention of a professional refinishing service in order to keep it looking its very best. The best wood refinishers will make your dining room table top and chairs smooth and flawless once again. Over time, fabric will fade and become worn, and cushions will lose their padding. A good upholsterer can recover them to be soft, functional, and beautiful again.
The Best Professional Furniture Refinishing Jacksonville FL
Fine dining room furniture isn’t just for admiring – it should be enjoyed! Have family dinners there every night, host dinner parties and holiday events, and don’t worry about what it could be doing to your furniture. Good refinishing shops are skilled at fixing all blemishes, water rings, discoloration, fabric tears and fading, and other issues. Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the trusted name in furniture restoration, and the first choice among homeowners throughout Northeast Florida, including downtown Jacksonville, Ortega, Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass, and historic Riverside Avondale. We’ll help your furniture recover from the last event, and look great for the upcoming holidays!
