Furniture Tips
Your furniture is one of your most prized possessions. It's an extension of your personality and what makes your house a home. Rattan Furniture Store has the perfect alternative to expensive furniture replacement. Whether it's restoring your rattan sofa set, antique coffee table, waterhycinth furniture or simply fixing your favorite recliner, we've got the answers for all types of damage.

Taking Good Care of Wood Furniture

• Shoe polish and felt tip pens work well in hiding small scratches in furniture. Shoe polish applicator bottles work well for furniture touch-ups, when filled with stain.
• Color rings left on tables by cups and glasses by roughing slightly with an abrasive pad or paper and then rubbing with cigarette ashes mixed with cooking oil.
• Have furniture deluxed (buffed and polished) by a professional once or twice a year.
• Keep the finish rejuvenated by cleaning it with a mild soap (like you would wash your hands with) that has been diluted.
• Avoid using a household cleaner that contains ammonia.
• Polishing your furniture once a week with a quality polish will also help protect a finish from damage.
• Be careful not to use a polish that contains silicone or alcohol. Alcohol is a basic ingredient in some strippers and if included in a polish can actually damage the finish.
• To protect the finish of your dining room table, place a table pad on top of the table when it is not in use. Table pads are relatively inexpensive and can be ordered in any shape and size.
• When serving plates and dishes that are hot, use a tablecloth.
• Position furniture so that it isn't exposed to direct sunlight. Sun dries out wood.
• To prevent water rings, always make coaster easily accessible. One of the best coasters to use is one made of wood that has felt underneath and an absorbent material to rest the glass on. Metal coasters tend to sweat onto the table, and the chemicals in a plastic coaster may react with the high-tech finishes used on today's furniture. It is also helpful if the coaster has a slight outer ridge to capture any condensation coming from the glass.
• Water spots should be left to dry out completely. Then place regular mayonnaise, not sandwich spread, onto a soft cloth and rub it on the water mark. In most cases it will disappear.
• When burning candles, use a large felt protector with a plastic top. Candle wax doesn't run as much when it hits plastic. If wax does drip onto a table, wait until the wax has cooled and hardened. Then apply an ice cube directly to the wax and give it time to make the wax hard and brittle. Take a plastic spatula and gently scrape off the cold wax. Then polish the table with a clean cloth and a good cream furniture polish. Buff away any remaining residue.
• Minor scratches can often be disguised by using a scratch cover product. Just apply the product to a clean cloth and rub lightly over the scratch.
• Make furniture polish by mixing lemon oil with 3 parts olive oil.

• Furniture Restoration
  These tips will help you restore antiques after fire or water damage.
  Water Damage
• Dry the piece out completely by putting it in a slightly warm area with a constant temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit and steady air circulation.
  NOTE: If the location is too hot, the wood will dry out too quickly and crack. If it's too cold, it will dry out too slowly and allow mold to grow in the wood.
• Begin the drying process immediately or water will continue to seep into the wood and cause further damage.
  Removing White Spots
• Rub with a damp cotton cloth and a buffing solution composed of a 50/50 toothpaste and baking soda mixture.
• Buff the area with another cloth.
• If this doesn't remove the spots, a professional process will have to be used. (Hyperlink to restoration services)
  Removing Black Spots
  Black spots indicate that the water has eaten through the finish and into the wood where mildew is growing. The finish must be completely removed and the wood must be treated with bleach to kill the mildew before a new finish is applied. You may need professional help to remove black spots.
  Repairing Buckled Veneer
• Using a hypodermic syringe needle, inject a water-based blue thinned with 10 percent water between the furniture base and the buckled veneer.
• Clamp the veneer to the piece using a sheet of plastic and a block of wood on top of the veneer.
• Let dry well before removing.
  Fire Damage
  If your antique has suffered extensive scorching and singing it must be stripped and entirely refinished. For small facelifts, follow these steps:
  Small Localized Burns
• Apply a professional refinisher to the spot with a cotton swab.
• Scrape the charred section off the piece with a penknife.
• Apply a clear finish or paint to the site in small doses until the spot matches the appearance of the piece.
  Getting Rid of Smoke Odors
  To get rid of smoke odors in interior cabinet or drawers, put small air fresheners inside the furniture and the wood will absorb the freshener's scent.
  
  Cleaning Tips
  There's an art to housecleaning. The experts at ServiceMaster have lots of tips for everything from the general process of cleaning to keeping odors out of your refrigerator. If you read all these tips, housecleaning won't be quite the chore it used to be. If you prefer to hire professionals, click here for more information on Choosing a Service Provider.
  
  Cleaning Scuff Marks
  Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
  Removing Blood from Furniture
  Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.
  
  Dusting Tip
  Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
  Make a Schedule
  Set aside a regular short period of time each week for the family to straighten up the house. It teaches good habits to the kids and gives the family a project to do together. Everyone will feel better when the job is done, and might just look forward to the day when they know things are going to be neat and organized.
  Listen to Books On Tape to Help You Clean
  Having trouble finding time to read these days? You can rent great books on tape from the library to listen to while you're cleaning and doing chores. It helps to pass the time, keeps you working a little longer and lets you catch up on those mysteries you've been wanting to read.
  
  Removing Candle Wax from Walls
  Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.
  
  Cleaning Chrome
  Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.
  Removing Blood Stains
  Corn starch can remove blood stains. Rinse the stain in cold water, then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.
  
  Removing Gum
  Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
  Removing Magic Marker Ink
  Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.
  Cleaning Window Screens
  Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens.
  Removing Smoke Odor
  Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.
  Unstick That Door
  Car wax applied to a sticking door will ease opening and closing.
  Repairing Cigarette Burns in Carpets
  Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.
  Repairing Small Holes in Window Screens
  Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.
  Killing Flies
  Hair spray will kill flies.
  
  Window Painting Tip
  Newspaper strips when wetted can be used around windows when painting, in place of masking tape. Remove strips before they dry out.
  Drying Out Wet Magazines or Books
  Place paper towels on both sides of a wet page to absorb the moisture and prevent wrinkling.
  
  Helpful Hints
• Always keep an all-purpose cleaner and a sponge in the guest bath so you can sneak away and clean up when unexpected company shows up.

• Keep a squeegee in the shower so everyone can wipe it down when they are done (this will help prevent mildew).
• Steam helps to loosen build-up so why not clean while you're in there?
• Disinfectant can be used on everything in the bath except the mirror.
• Don't forget doorknobs and switchplates.
• Cleaning Shower Mats
  Dip a stiff brush in a kerosene and warm water solution to clean bath and shower mats.
• Easy Bathroom Cleaning
  Clean after a steamy bath or shower. The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean because the steam will have loosened the dirt.
• Cleaning the Sink
  • For light stains, rub with a fresh cut lemon.
  • For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.
• Bathtub Rings
  • To avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath preparations. Use a water softener if you live in a hard-water area. Rinse the tub immediately after bathing.
  • If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
  Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol
  Rubbing alcohol will clean the caulking around bathtubs. It also shines chrome and glass. Liquid chlorine bleach (1/4 cup to one gallon) will also clean caulk.
  
• Cleaning Toilet Bowl
  • Clean the toilet bowl while you're away by pouring in 1/4 cup bleach and leaving it until you return.
  • Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
  • Don't use bleach if you're already using a tank-held cleaner that's released when the toilet is flushed. The two may react chemically.
  • To avoid clogging and odors, pour one cup baking soda down the bowl weekly.
  Getting to Dirt in the Corner
  Can't get to that dirt in the corner? Make a pointed tool by cutting an old whisk broom at a 45 degree angle.
  
  Small Bathrooms
  If you have a small bathroom or a tile entrance and don't have time to bother with a scrub bucket, just use an all purpose spray cleaner and a damp sponge for quick clean up.
  Mildew
  To remove mildew from the corners of the tub, dip cotton balls in bleach and let them sit, when you finish cleaning the bath, remove cotton and rinse well. The mildew will be gone.
  
  Disinfectant
  Clean with a disinfectant to kill germs. Everything in the bathroom except the mirror can be cleaned this way in just 3 or 4 minutes a day. Keep cleaners in bath for a quick job when unexpected company drops by.
  Shower Tile
  Remove soap and hard water buildup on shower tile with tile cleaner. Then apply a good paste wax and buff with a dry cloth to deter future water spots.
  
  Air Freshener
  For immediate air freshener in the bath, place a fabric softener sheet in the wastepaper basket or add a dab of fragrance on a light bulb. When the light is on, the heat releases the aroma.
  Freshen Drain
  To freshen drain, pour 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover drain tightly for a few minutes and flush with cold water.
  
  Shower Doors
  • Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar-dampened sponge to remove soap residue.
  • To clean shower track door, pour full strength vinegar into the track, let soak for a few minutes, then rinse.
  • A coat of acrylic floor finish gives new shine to fiberglass shower doors and makes water spots disappear. Club soda will give new shine to your counter tops.
  
  Cleaning Shower Curtains
  • Before hanging shower curtains, soak in salt water solutions to prevent mildew.
  • To remove mildew, wash in hot soapy water, rub with lemon juice and let the shower curtain dry in the sun.
  • For plastic curtains, clean with laundry pre-wash spray. Spray along the top, letting it run down to cover the curtain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off.
  Sparkling Sink
  Wipe a stainless steel sink with vinegar or a touch of oil on a cloth to make the sink sparkle.
• Cleaning Rusty Tile
  Rust stains on tile can be removed with kerosene.
  Cleaning Ceramic Tile
  Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes to steam the dirt loose.
• For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let sit for five minutes. Scrub with a nylon scrub pad, rinse and wipe dry.
• To keep the grout joints on tile countertops clean longer, wash with a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry one hour between coats.
• Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.
• Remove soot from fireplace tiles with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then wash.
  
  Cleaning Plastic Tile
• If bathroom walls are dull, wash the tiles with a solution of vinegar and water. Polish with a towel.
• Has a tile come loose? For a quick fix, put a little piece of chewing gum on each corner, use a warm iron to press it back into place.
  Cleaning Porcelain
  Lighter fluid will remove most dark, stubborn stains from porcelain sinks and bathtubs