Proper care for your cherry furniture will help it last a lifetime.
While cherry furniture can be quite an investment, its proper care and cleaning can help it last a lifetime. Because the nature of cherry differs from other woods, it requires slightly different maintenance than most other pieces of furniture. Treat scratches, nicks and stains promptly to keep your cherry furniture attractive for decades. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Follow the furniture manufacturer's instructions for specific care and cleaning instructions. Consult these directions first, since they will apply to your exact type of wood and finish.
2. Dust your cherry furniture once a week with a soft cloth. Make sure you lift items off the furniture's surface instead of sliding them, as sliding them may scratch the wood.
3. Use a non-alkaline soap and a soft cloth to gently remove the existing wax. Then re-wax the furniture with a paste wax. Repeat this process once or twice a year for the life of the furniture to keep it looking its best.
4. Treat scratches in your cherry wood by using a reddish shoe polish that matches the color of the cherry. (Always test the polish in an inconspicuous place before you apply it.) If you are unable to find a suitable shoe polish, work a small amount of iodine into the wood using a Q-tip or cotton swab. Apply furniture wax to the area once you are finished.
5. Repair water marks by placing a damp towel over the area and ironing it on a warm temperature setting. Alternatively, you may rub white toothpaste into the grain of the wood where the ring has formed. Wipe off excess toothpaste and reapply wax. Mayonnaise has a similar effect.
6. Wipe white marks with a mixture of cigarette ash and lemon juice. You may also rub creamy peanut butter into the area, as this helps replenish the oil in the wood and eliminates the stain.
7. Clean fresh paint stains with water immediately. For dried paint, try chipping it off with a putty knife.
8. Remove gum by rubbing the area with an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth. Once the gum has hardened, use a putty knife to scrape it off.
9. Wipe milk and alcohol stains with a cloth dipped in ammonia. Reapply wax.
Tags: cherry furniture, your cherry, your cherry furniture, care cleaning, help last, help last lifetime