| There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance | | | | shield all wood furniture from the drying influence of |
| and beauty to a home. Whether it is a thick, | | | | the sun. Also, protect your dining room table's finish |
| all-natural butchers block table, an Art Deco wooden | | | | using an inexpensive table pad when the table is not |
| dresser, a simple mahogany dining room table or a | | | | in use. |
| sleek, modern coffee table, wood furniture is a staple | | | | When eating a meal or entertaining guests, use a |
| in homes across America and the world. Make sure | | | | tablecloth or placemats to protect the finish of a |
| your wood tables, vanities and dressers stay | | | | wood table, especially when serving hot food. Place |
| gorgeous for generations to come with these simple | | | | hot serving dishes atop a hot pad and candle holders |
| solutions and guidelines. | | | | over a large felt protector with a plastic top, since |
| Stain, Stain, Go Away! | | | | plastic prevents wax from running. |
| Ever gasped after a child inadvertently left a giant | | | | Use coasters beneath all glasses and mugs to protect |
| scratch in the surface of your dining room table? Or | | | | your coffee table, dining room table and wood |
| cringed when a well-meaning adult accidentally | | | | dressers from unsightly rings and water spots. |
| knocked over a drink onto your beautiful wood | | | | Beware, because not all coasters are created equal. |
| coffee table? Well, fear not. One of the best | | | | Metal coasters can sweat onto the wood, and plastic |
| attributes of wood furniture is that it is simple to | | | | coasters can react with certain finishes on some |
| touch up or renew its original luster. | | | | wood furniture pieces. So consider choosing wooden |
| Small nicks and scratches can usually be disguised | | | | coasters with felt backing and a waterproof material |
| with the help of a store-bought scratch cover | | | | on top to further ensure the longevity of your wood |
| product. For larger scratches, try using a felt tip pen | | | | table tops. The best coasters are those that taper |
| or shoe polish in a color closely matched to the finish | | | | up on the sides, preventing leakage. |
| of the furniture piece. Shoe polish applicator bottles | | | | Protect Your Wood Tables from Damage |
| filled with the stain work well for the cover-up job, | | | | Protect From: With: |
| as do Sharpie markers. Coloring in the scratch is easy | | | | General Harm Table Pad (when not in use) |
| and surprisingly effective. | | | | Sun Damage Location out of Direct line of Sun |
| Get rid of pesky water spots on your wood furniture | | | | Heat Damage Tablecloths, Placemats, Hot Pads |
| by allowing the spots to dry completely, then rubbing | | | | Wax Felt Protector with Plastic Top |
| real mayonnaise onto it with a soft cloth, until the | | | | Water Damage Wood Coasters with Felt Bottom |
| spots disappear. Erase color rings left on tables by | | | | and Waterproof top |
| cups and glasses with a homemade mixture of | | | | Proper Care and Cleaning |
| cigarette ashes and cooking oil. Prep the stain first by | | | | Polishing wood furniture every week goes a long |
| scrubbing it with an abrasive pad or sandpaper. Then, | | | | way toward protecting the finish from damage and |
| rub the oil and ash concoction into the wood. | | | | helping your wood tables, chairs and dressers look |
| And what about candle wax, marring the beautiful | | | | their best. Beware, though, of cheap polishes, or any |
| finish of your wood dining room table? Wait until the | | | | polish that contains silicone or alcohol. Alcohol can do |
| wax cools, then apply ice. Once the wax becomes | | | | permanent damage to a wood surface, as can any |
| extremely hard and brittle, gently scrape it off with a | | | | household cleaner that contains ammonia. An |
| plastic spatula. Finally, polish the table with a rich | | | | excellent polish can be easily made at home, by |
| cream polish, and buff away any residue. | | | | combining lemon oil with 3 parts olive oil. |
| Remove or Disguise Scratches and Stains | | | | Now that you know about polishes, don't forget to |
| Problem: Solution: | | | | clean your wood furniture as well. Regular cleaning is |
| Nicks, Scratches Magic Marker or Shoe Polish | | | | especially important for coffee tables and dining room |
| Water Spots Mayonnaise | | | | tables where food and drink are daily staples. Use a |
| Color Rings Sandpaper, Ashes and Oil | | | | very mild soap, such as a diluted mixture of hand |
| Wax Ice | | | | soap and water, as a cleaning agent for your wood |
| An Ounce of Prevention, a Lifetime of Protection | | | | furniture. And if you really want to ensure your dining |
| Prevent serious damage to your wood furniture by | | | | room table or heirloom wood desk stays beautiful, |
| taking care not to position it in direct sunlight. Unless | | | | have your wood furniture buffed and polished by a |
| you are going for the weathered picnic table look, | | | | professional service once or twice a year. |