Caring for Your Dining Room Table
Ensure your table looks its best when the doorbell rings - and after the guests have gone home!
Because it is naturally abrasive, dust is probably wood furniture’s biggest enemy, as it leaves microscopic scratches that dull a finish over time. Guardsman Revitalizing Wood Polishes clean and renew, leaving a rich, low-luster shine, but it’s also important to dust regularly - even when it’s not the time to polish! Weekly dusting prevents the build-up of dust that can result in fine scratches when everyday objects come into contact with the surface. All smooth surfaces should be dusted regularly - furniture, cabinets, walls, floors, electronics, appliances, and even leather furniture. Guardsman’s Ultimate Dusting Cloth is specially treated to pick up and hold onto dust without the need for dusting sprays. Soft and 100% cotton, it’s washable and reusable - and leaves no lint or dust-attracting residue! For best results when dusting, always wipe in the direction of the wood grain.
Entertaining Can Be Tough on Wood Dining Furniture
Wood furniture isn’t just for admiring - it’s meant to be used for family and guests. But entertaining also means accidents - water rings from a glass or heat marks from a hot dish or a pizza box - that can leave your furniture looking abused. When the unexpected happens, Guardsman’s reusable Water Ring and Mark Remover easily eliminates minor blemishes from many wood surfaces including white rings, and other marks and stains caused by water, heat, alcohol, cosmetics, and paint.
A Few Easy tips to Keep your Dining Table Looking Great All Year
Scratches - To avoid scratches, never slide anything (vases, plates, serving dishes, etc.) across a wood surface. Light surface nicks and scratches can be treated with Guardsman Liquid Scratch Cover or Wood Touch-Up Markers. Guardsman Wood Filler Sticks quickly repair scratches and blemishes that go beyond the surface and require filling and won’t shrink, dry out, discolor, or rub off, but deep scratches can be costly - even requiring professional restoration.
Liquids - Wipe up spills immediately, and check to be sure liquid hasn’t seeped under any objects, such as a vase, where it can "pool" and dry, causing damage to the finish.
Use linen or cotton tablecloths & placemats - Vinyl and plastic materials can damage some wood finishes or leave residues behind that build up on the surface of your furniture. Over time, these materials can make surfaces sticky and cause discoloration.
Centerpieces - Use cork or felt pads under decorative objects, and swap them out several times a year.
Leather Care - Prevent Scratches & Other Marks
With basic care and maintenance, leather looks great for years, even with daily use.
Though leather is tough, it can be scratched. It is important to do whatever you can to prevent scratching leather because once a scratch appears, only a professional leather technician can repair it. The greatest threat to leather upholstery is from objects that are harder than the leather itself.
Scratch Prevention
Pets - Cats jumping up on leather furniture often leave claw marks, and more than a few pet owners have been horrified to find marks left by a teething puppy! If pets are allowed on the furniture, it’s a good idea to place a blanket where they lay. A comfy pet cushion right nearby (but off the sofa!) is another good option for keeping your pet happy--and your furniture in good shape!
Clothing and shoes - Metal parts on clothing such as snaps, rivets on jeans, and belt buckles can do a number on leather furniture. Most clothing won’t harm leather, but before sitting down it’s always good to stop and think whether anything you’re wearing might leave a mark. And, as with all furniture, feet are best kept on the floor - at a minimum, remember to take your shoes off before stretching out on the sofa.
Entertaining - Serving trays and utensils should never be placed on leather upholstery. Sharp edges, hot foods, and liquids all pose a danger to leather. Instead, place a low table nearby for serving snacks and beverages.
Moving day - Whether you’re moving furniture across town, or across the room, always remember to lift rather than pull. Dragging can stretch and damage the leather upholstery. Also, be careful not to run leather furniture along walls as you move it. Textured finishes on plaster and drywall can easily scratch the leather. And, be careful not to squeeze too tightly through door frames as that can be especially tough on any upholstery.
Kids - It’s impossible to prevent every mishap, but it’s important to discourage standing and jumping on furniture. Aside from the risk of leaving a scratch or gouge, that kind of rough use can damage the frame, as well.
Info provided by Guardsman.com
We carry Guardsman furniture care products inside the store. See sales associate for details.