Care of Solid Wood Tables
If cared for properly your solid hardwood table can give you a lifetime of service and beauty. Here are several care tips that will enhance your solid hardwood table investment:
- Place your table away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating ducts.
- Position table out of direct sunlight or adjust blinds to avoid hour after hour of direct sunlight.
- Control humidity to 40%-45%. In winter use a humidifier, in summer use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.
- Use coasters with non-scratching bottoms.
- Use padding under all sharp, hot, or cold objects.
- Store table leaves in close proximity to table or in the same humidity, avoid storing leaves in damp basements where the leaves may swell.
- Avoid using nail polish remover, alcohol, and other solvents near or on table.
- Ask you retailer about manufacturer-provided finishes that resist damage from harmful liquids and objects.
Routine Cleaning and First Aid
DUST CAREFULLY with a soft cloth, following the grain pattern of the wood. Use an old T-shirt, baby diaper or cheesecloth that has been laundered to remove the sizing.
DUST OFTEN to remove everyday abrasive particles from wood surfaces.
CONSIDER CLEANING with mild non-alkaline soap and water. Use the suds in a damp sponge or cloth, but be sure to pre-test the solution on an out-of-sight section to make sure it doesn't damage the finish. Dry immediately with a soft cloth and buff lightly, following the grain.
DON'T WAX or use any polish that contains any silicones! Catalyzed heat and moisture resistant finishes don't need additional polish, but if you want to use a polish we recommend "Guardsman Furniture Polish."
Table First Aid
Here are some common problems and ways for you to correct them. With all of these solutions try a small area first to assure that the remedy doesn't damage the finish.
WATER MARK RINGS, Rings are often in the wax, not the finish. Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter, press down with a warm iron, and repeat. Or try rubbing with salad oil, mayonnaise, or white toothpaste. Then wipe dry.
WHITE MARKS, Rub with cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid, followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry.
MILK, ALCOHOL, Rub in a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain, substituting pumice for dull finishes. Or rub with ammonia on a dampened cloth. Then wipe dry.
CIGARETTE BURNS, Minor burns can be remedied by rubbing with scratch-concealing polish or with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the grain until the burn mark disappears.
HEAT MARKS, Rub gently along the grain using a dry steel wool soap pad, extra-fine (0000) steel wool, or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil mineral spirits.
NAIL POLISH, Blot the spill immediately, then rub with fine steel wool (0) dipped in "Guardsman Furniture Polish." Wipe dry.
PAINT MARKS, 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, then 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.
STICKING PAPER, Dampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil, wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine (0000) steel wool. Wipe dry.
WAX OR GUM, Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it. Pry off with a fingernail. Rub the area with extra-fine (0000) steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry.