Our Blog
How To Keep Your Dining Room Furniture In Great Shape
November 15, 2017 07:37:44pm
For many of us, the dining room is the setting for big family dinners, dinner parties, and other fun events with family and friends. For others of us, the dining room may only be used on special occasions. In any case, you want to keep the dining room furniture in good shape and the room looking great. Our tips will help!
- Dust frequently. Dust is one of wood furniture’s worst enemies. Dust is naturally abrasive, and leaves microscopic scratches all over a wooden surface, giving it the appearance of being dingy. The best way to avoid this is to dust often, even when you don’t think you need to. Dust at least weekly in order to prevent the buildup of dust. Dust all smooth surfaces, including the individual chair legs and backing, the table legs, and all cracks and crevices, always wiping in the direction of the grain. Cotton cloths are best for dusting because the fibers can trap and hold dust particles. Avoid feather dusters, because any broken feathers or sharp spines can scratch the wood surface. Avoid any type of cleaning pad or wipe that will leave behind a residue, and any residue can attract even more dust.
- Inspect your furniture. While tidying up after a meal or dinner party, take the opportunity to inspect the furniture. Look for nicks and scratches that may have recently appeared on the chair legs, water rings and cracks in the finish of the table’s surface, and other such issues. Inspect the padding and fabric, as well. Dinner parties can last for hours, during which time food and wine spills may occur, as well as small tears and other damage. Inspecting your furniture routinely will allow you to deal with issues as they happen, and make note of larger issues that need to be addressed, even if by a professional furniture restoration company.
- Protect your furniture properly. Scratches are inevitable on all wood surfaces, but with the right precautions, your wood dining room set will stay in good repair. Use linen or cotton tablecloths and placemats rather than other courser woven ones that can potentially scratch the surface, or plastic or other synthetic fibers that could leave behind a residue. Buy or make cork or felt pads to keep underneath heavy candlesticks, flower arrangements, or other centerpieces. Replace the cork or felt several times per year to ensure they are still effective. When the table is not in use, cover it with the leaf or soft tablecloth. Liquid spills, condensation, and other moisture will leave water rings or otherwise damage the finish or even the wood itself. When a spill occurs, wipe it up immediately. Use hot pads under any hot plates to prevent heat damage.
- Call the pros when needed! Even when you take every possible precaution, your dining room furniture will likely still need the attention of a professional refinishing service in order to keep it looking its very best. The best wood refinishers will make your dining room table top and chairs smooth and flawless once again. Over time, fabric will fade and become worn, and cushions will lose their padding. A good upholsterer can recover them to be soft, functional, and beautiful again.
Your dining room furniture isn’t just for admiring – it should be used and enjoyed! Have family dinners there every night, host dinner parties and holiday events, and don’t worry about what it could be doing to your furniture. Good refinishing shops are skilled at fixing all blemishes, water rings, discoloration, fabric tears and fading, and other issues.
Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best wood refinishing shop Jacksonville FL homeowners rely on for their dining room furniture and more. We are the trusted name in antique restoration, wood refinishing, custom upholstering and the first choice among homeowners throughout Ortega, Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass, San Marco, and historic Riverside Avondale. Let us help you keep your dining room furniture in top shape!
