So you’ve purchased some new, beautiful wooden furniture from Grand Home Furnishings — excellent! You’ve brought it home, set it in place, and you realize the truth of things: you have kids… pets… an active lifestyle… a busy schedule… how in the world are you supposed to make it last?
Don’t sweat it. Looking after your wood furniture doesn’t have to be tricky! Here’s a quick guide to help you keep your wooden items clean and shining without much fuss. It’s simple, really, and the experts at Grand Home Furnishings are always here to help if you have questions:
What You’ll Need
- Wood Cleaner: Any gentle cleaner that's safe on wood surfaces will suffice, such as Dawn dish soap.
- Soft Cloths: These are used to clean without scratching. A microfiber towel can be an awesome option when available, as well.
- Polish: This will add some extra shine and protection. You can find plenty of polishes online, at your local hardware store, and even in Grand Home Furnishings stores!
Handling Common Stains and Issues
- Watermarks: To tackle white rings or watermarks, gently rub a mixture of baking soda and water on the spot, following the wood grain, and wipe away with a dry cloth. If you’re looking for an even easier solution, Grand Home Furnishings also sells watermark remover wipes!
- Scratches: Fill minor scratches with a color-matching wood filler or a crayon designed for wood touch-ups (all of Grand Home Furnishing’s stores sell markers and crayons in many shades).
- Heat Marks: Lay a clean, white cloth over the mark and gently iron over it on a low setting, lifting the cloth occasionally to check the progress.
- Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornstarch over the stain, allowing it to absorb the grease, then gently brush it away and clean it with a wood-safe cleaner.
A Few Additional Tips
- Use Coasters: Help avoid those pesky water rings in the first place!
- Lift, Don’t Drag: Moving furniture? Lift items instead of dragging them to avoid scratches.
- Keep It Dry: Wipe up any spills quickly to protect the wood.
- Consider a Professional Finish: KinGuard by Kincaid is a great finish option for tabletops that provides added protection against watermarks and spills. If you’re looking for a trusted product from a trusted brand, this could be the one!
Quick Note on Wood Furniture Finishes
Wood finishes are naturally resistant to minor everyday hazards or accidents; however, some precautions are necessary to maintain the beauty of wood furniture:
- Dust with a soft cloth slightly moistened with water. Always rub in the direction of the wood grain.
- Do not place beverages directly on furniture.
- Furniture should not be placed in direct sunlight.
- Remove any spills or smudges immediately.
The next time you’re shopping at Grand Home Furnishings, speak with one of our Design Consultants about our Guardsman Furniture cleaning products. They help protect wood and enhance the natural beauty of your furniture!
Wrapping Up
By considering these simple steps, tips, tricks, and products, you can keep your wood furniture looking beautiful without a lot of work. Remember, regular gentle care is better than a rare heavy cleaning!
As always, if you ever have any questions about your furniture, whether it be desks, chairs, tables, or bed sets, come to Grand Home Furnishings and speak with a Design Consultant!
For more information on what Grand Home Furnishings offers compared to other furniture and mattress shops, visit us in-store at one of our 18 locations in Virginia (Bristol, Charlottesville, Christiansburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Roanoke - Outlet, Tanglewood & Valley View, Waynesboro, Wise, Winchester, the new GHF Furniture Outlet in Staunton), West Virginia (Beckley, Lewisburg, Martinsburg, Princeton), and Tennessee (Johnson City, Kingsport) or shop with us online at https://www.grandhf.com/.
