Here are some tips for maintaining your furniture

As we all know, the ability of a product to last does not solely depend on its quality. That's why at U Home Design, we provide you with advice and tips to help you enjoy your purchases for as long as possible.

Taking Care of Your Wooden Furniture 

Wood is a noble and eco-friendly material. Classic, vintage, modern, or exotic, it can adapt to all styles and thus add originality to a room. Here are some tips for properly maintaining wooden furniture.

The « do » of cleaning:

·       Daily: Remove dust with a soft, slightly damp cloth.

·       Once a week: Use a soft cloth and a dusting spray.

·       Once a month: Wipe with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water or lightly ammonia-based solution (gentle detergent).

·       Always wipe your furniture with a dry cloth afterward.

·       Remove various marks (fingerprints, etc.) with a non-abrasive cloth (wool, cotton, etc.).

·       Gently dust a piece of furniture before cleaning or removing stains.

The « don't » of cleaning:

·       Soak a piece of furniture thoroughly.

·       Wet without quickly wiping.

·       Use an iron rod or cleaning sponges.

·       Wash with a strong detergent.

·       Clean with acetone or cellulose thinner (used for removing nail polish).

·       Use wax every week.

·       Place your furniture near a heat source (radiator, oven, etc.).

·       Leave a wet container on a piece of furniture; the water would cause a whitish mark that is very difficult to remove on waxed wood and impossible to eliminate on some varnishes.

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Cleaning Varnished Wooden Furniture

·       For glossy varnishes: Polish with a furniture polish.

·       For matte or satin varnishes: Wax to revive the wood's color. Do not rub too hard or too often, as this may make it shiny.

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Cleaning Waxed Wooden Furniture

In the vast majority of cases, waxed furniture has previously received a thin layer of varnish that protects the wood. Unvarnished waxed wood is very susceptible to stains. Once or twice a year, apply wax to the furniture. Since beeswax is slightly sticky, mix it with vegetable wax for a better result. Let it dry, then polish it using a dry woolen cloth to make it shiny.

Note:

• If your furniture has been waxed too often, it will become increasingly sticky to the touch; in this case, you will need to remove the grime from the wood. To do this, use turpentine on fine steel wool. Rub well, always in the direction of the wood grain, but be careful not to touch the color, as this could cause a difficult-to-repair "bleed".

Removing Different Stains:

• Ink stains: Rub the stain with steel wool and then apply a rust remover from the market.

• Water stains: Rub the stain with a cork or lightly with steel wool.
• Grease stains: Apply French chalk or talcum powder soaked in trichloroethylene to the stain and leave it on for a few hours.
 

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If you are using a wood varnish

Due to their sensitivity to light, we recommend not leaving anything on the surfaces for the first 6 to 8 weeks if they are exposed to sunlight. This should help you avoid the appearance of marks or rings if the furniture lightens in the sun.

Cleaning
A damp cloth (never soaked) will do. Then delicately dry the surfaces. Wood and veneer can be damaged by liquids, so if you spill something on them, make sure to wipe it off immediately. If you need to remove stains, go gently using mild soap and warm water.

Caring for Leather Items

Damage from Sunlight and Heat
Leather can lighten if exposed to direct sunlight, so be careful about its placement during furnishing to avoid this. It can also be damaged if exposed to heat - never place it too close to a radiator.

Cleaning
You can clean leather using a soft, dry cloth or with soapy water and a bit of elbow grease. Finally, to keep your leather in excellent condition, we recommend cleaning it regularly with a dedicated cleaner.

Next Steps

·       Floor Maintenance

          Hardwood Floors

          Laminate Floors

          Wood Floors

          Tile Floors and Walls

          PVC Blades and Floors

·       Other Specific Types of Wood (rare woods)

·       Moving Tips (disassembly/reassembly)

·       Textile Care

Bath Linens

Bed Linens

Curtains, Rods, and Blinds

Carpets

Cushions and Cushion Covers

Kitchen Textiles