TIPS

Wax is an important part of keeping furniture healthy. It feeds wood and prevents it from drying out. Apply wax every three months (table tops, shelves and work surfaces especially will benefit) to maintain good colouring and keep your furniture looking good for longer. Clear waxes add moisture and freshen up furniture while antique colour waxes, as the name suggests, will add rich colour over time.

Preventing Damage

Do not put drinks (hot or cold) directly on wooden furniture; use coasters to prevent heat or water damage. Similarly, always put out placemats to prevent plates and dishes from damaging or scratching your tables.

Never use a damp or wet cloth to clean wooden furniture; the reaction of the wax to the water can cause as much damage as a hot cup or dish. Even more damaging are detergents which will strip the wax from your furniture and leave it unprotected. In order to get your furniture sparklingly clean, simply use good quality furniture polish and a dry cloth.

Removing Stains

To remove water marks, slightly dampen a clean cloth with some white spirit and pass it gently over the stain. Brush the surface very lightly and keep the cloth moving at all times to prevent the spirit soaking in and. after thirty to sixty seconds you should start to see the mark lighten. After five or ten minutes, once the surface is completely dry, reapply wax to the area you have cleaned. Be extremely careful when using white spirit. Too much will permanently discolour the finish of your wood. Start with a tiny amount of spirit on the cloth and only add more if needed. In order to make sure that this cleaning process will not damage your furniture, test on an unseen part of the furniture first to ensure no discolouration occurs.