Oak Furniture Maintainance

This time I’ll blog about how to take care the furniture that is made of oak.

For centuries, oak has been a popular material from which to construct tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture thanks to its strength, durability and beauty. However, oak does have the tendency to stain easily and can become dry and cracked if not properly maintained. Maintaining oak furniture involves protecting it from extreme temperature swings, moisture and heat, as well as preserving its structural soundness by only moving it with care.

These are the steps on how to maintain oak furniture:

1       Read the instructions for oak furniture maintenance from the manufacturer.

If you've bought a new piece of oak furniture, ask for a pamphlet with care instructions from the manufacturer or store.

2       Leave any drawers or doors open in new furniture.

This allows the smell of furniture oil to dissipate. New furniture has most likely been recently oiled before packed and shipped to your home. You need to air the wood out to minimize the odor of wood oil.

3       Move all oak furniture carefully.

No matter how strong and sturdy a piece looks, always move it with care by lifting it instead of dragging, and carefully setting it down. This will preserve the integrity of the joints.

4      Avoid placing oak furniture next to a source of heat or in direct sunlight. This can cause dryness, cracking and fading of the color.

5  Maintain oak furniture by treating it periodically with special furniture oil. Once a month is sufficient to prevent cracking and to create a moisture resistant layer with regular use, but if a piece of furniture is exposed to wear and tear daily, such as a table, chair or desk, oil it once a week. If you buy a new or used piece of oak furniture and it appears dry, oil it before use to restore the wood's sheen and protect it.

6       Avoid putting hot items such as dishes or pans directly on the wood. Instead, use place mats or table mats with felt backs.

7       Avoid putting oak furniture outside. Unless specifically designed for outside use, oak furniture should always be used inside.

8     Be careful not to expose oak to strong cleaning agents, coffee, wine, water or other liquids.

9     Wipe up any spills on the oak wood immediately to avoid staining. Use a clean cloth or paper towel.

1    Repair any dents or marks. If your piece of furniture has been marked or dented, it's sometimes possible to repair it yourself if it's solid wood or has been soap-treated. You cannot repair oak furniture that's lacquered or has been veneered.

·         To repair a mark or dent, put a damp cloth, preferably made of cotton, over the spot.

·         Place the tip of a hot iron onto the cloth so the wood rises up.

·         Once the blemish is dry, sand it down with a fine-grain sandpaper, then oil it.

That’s all about how to take care of your wood furniture.

(Source: www.wikihow.com)

How to Take Care of Your Furniture?

Wood Furnishings Care

 

Are you confused about dusting vs. cleaning, or waxing vs. polishing wood furniture?

While experts have varying opinions on the care of wood furniture, it usually depends on the finish of the piece.

Dusting

Don't avoid dusting furniture. Frequent dusting removes airborne deposits that build up in a filmy layer and can scratch the surface.

Clean, dry, soft cloths or feather dusters will effectively remove dust; however, to avoid scattering the dust into the air, where it floats until landing back on furniture surfaces, dampen the cloth very slightly.

Tools for Dusting

Classic feather duster: An ostrich-feather duster removes dust from easily damaged, delicate surfaces, such as silk lampshades, mirrors, picture frames and art, and fragile collectibles.

§  Treated cloths: For dusting, soft, nonscratching cloths pick up and hold dirt. Use them in place of silicon sprays, which are not recommended for fine wood furniture.

§  Lamb's-wool duster:These contain lanolin, which attracts dust and makes it cling to the cleaning tool. They're also effective for dusting carved or turned areas that cloths can't reach. A long handle makes them ideal for hard-to-reach areas, including light fixtures andceiling fans.

§  Soft, lint-free cloths: Clean cotton T-shirts or diapers are commonly used. Dampen them slightly to help trap dust.

§  Terry towels: Use a clean dry towel to remove any moisture left from dusting with a damp cloth.

Cleaning

Never use all-purpose cleaning sprays unless your furniture has a plastic coating, such as the kind used on kitchen tables and children's furniture.

You'll usually want to avoid cleaning wood with water. However, sticky spots may need to be treated with soap and water. Here's how: dip the cloth in mild soap or detergent dissolved in water, wring the cloth nearly dry, and wipe the area. Rinse and immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Oil polishes, cleaners, and furniture oils protect wood by making the surface more slippery; they do not offer a hard protective layer.

Products that contain a high percentage of oil make the surface smear, showing fingerprints. Avoid polishing with pure olive oil, which smears and attracts dust.

Most commercial spray and liquid furniture polishes contain silicone oil, which provides some protection. If you have used sprays and polishes in the past or suspect that furniture has been polished with them, be aware that residues can interfere with refinishing and may need professional attention.

Homemade recipe for cleaning wood: Some experts recommend reviving grimy wood furniture with a mixture of equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine, and strained lemon juice. Apply with a soft cloth and buff with a clean cloth.

Typically during manufacture, varnish, polyurethane, or shellac is applied to wood to protect the surface. Applying wax or polish protects the manufacturer's finish and helps to reduce surface scratches.

Wax provides a hard finish and long-lasting protection, doesn't smear, and is more durable than sprays or polishes.

Use paste wax or liquid wax made specifically for furniture. Depending on use, paste wax finishes may last as long as two years. Liquid wax is easier to apply but leaves a thinner coating; it may need to be applied more frequently than paste wax.

Learn how to properly apply waxes to eliminate streaks or a cloudy appearance. Always apply wax in light coats, rubbing into the surface with the grain. Allow to dry and buff to a clear shine with a soft cloth.

Tips for Applying Paste Wax

1.   Put a spoonful of wax, about the size of a golf ball, in a square of 100-percent-cotton fabric. Wrap the fabric around the wax ball and knead it until soft.

2.      Rub in a circular motion, one small area at a time, until the waxing is complete.

3.      When the surface dulls, wipe off the excess wax. Use a clean, soft cotton cloth and turn it frequently.

4.   Repeat waxing and wiping until the entire piece is waxed. If you notice a streak, keep wiping to remove excess wax.

5.     Polish the wood, with a soft cloth or lamb's-wool pad attached to an electric drill or power buffer. If the wax smears, wipe with a soft cloth and continue buffing.

6.   For a deep shine, apply a second coat of wax in the same manner; to maintain waxed furniture, dust with a lamb's-wool duster. Never use liquid or aerosol furniture polishes because they can dissolve the wax and leave a hazy film.

For fine furniture or treasured family heirlooms, use this three-step cleaning and care routine.

1. Clean approximately every year with a commercial cleaning product (such as Formby's Deep Cleaning Build-Up Remover) using #0000 steel wool. Work with the grain and follow product directions carefully.

2. Restore as needed, especially from sun fading, using a commercial finish restoring product such as Howard Restor-A-Finish. Choose a shade closest to the wood stain and apply with #0000 steel wool to a small section at a time. Work with the grain of the wood and use light to moderate pressure. Immediately wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth, such as cheesecloth.

3. Feed as a monthly routine using an orange oil or wax (try Feed-N-Wax beeswax) to prevent drying and cracking.

Deep Cleaning

As a first step to removing layers of grime, use an oil soap and water. Rinse and dry well. If the finish still seems dirty, clean lightly with steel wool dipped in a cleaning product. Some products with a milky appearance are formulated to dissolve both solvent-based and oil-based residues. Do not use mixtures containing boiled linseed oil, turpentine, or white vinegars. Museum conservators say these things darken wood and attract dust and lint. Instead, apply clear paste wax.

Freshen Finds

§  If a vintage piece has a lingering smell, air outside on a warm, dry day. Shade from direct sunlight.

§  Pour talcum powder or baking soda over the surface to absorb odors.

§  Place a shallow pan of charcoal briquettes inside drawers.

§  Rub the upper edge of sticking drawers with a white candle.

Polishing Hardware

Remove hardware from the furniture piece. Clean with a metal or brass cleaner and buff. Reattach when completely dry.

Scratching the Surface

If the top of wood furniture is slightly scratched, apply paste wax or use a felt-tip touch-up pen.

To treat deeper scratches that gouge into the wood, use wood filler or a colored filler wax stick available at hardware and home improvement stores. Match as closely as possible to the color of your piece, applying in several thin layers rather than in one thick layer

(Source: www.bhg.com)

Pros & Cons of Plastic Furniture

This time, I’ll blog about the furniture that is made of plastic. Why do I chose to blog about plastic furniture? Because nowadays plastic furniture is quite popular among consumer. Why is it popular? It’s because of it’s well known of its versatile qualities and advantages. (FYI, plastic furniture was first designed by Douglas Simpson and James Donahue in the year 1946). Let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of this type of furniture below.

Advantages of Plastic Furniture

People all over the world use plastic furniture in one form or the other. Chairs, tables, TV stands, dining tables, cupboards and so forth are widely used in most of the homes today. Some of the most important advantages of this furniture include the following.

Economical: Compared to other types of furniture such as wood, glass and metals, this furniture is quite economical. Comfortable and lovely furniture can be bought at half the cost of purchasing wooden and metallic furniture. Today it is easy and affordable to buy good quality furniture from online stores listed in the business portals. Some of the most leading furniture brands are listed online in the business portals.

Unbreakable: Furniture made from good grade plastic seldom breaks or cracks due to weight or excessive usage. It seldom reacts to the changes in the environment and so it can be used as patio furniture. Its immense ability to withstand varying climatic conditions is one of the main advantages of this type of furniture. It seldom breaks or cracks when dropped from great heights. The furniture is safe from rust and termites. Therefore it requires less maintenance compared to the other types of furniture.

Light weight: Another attractive feature of plastic furnit

ure is its light weight. It can be carried around easily without much effort. It can also be moved around from one place to another easily.

Environment friendly: Unlike wooden furniture which involves cutting down of trees, plastic furniture seldom requires raw materials from the nature.

Recyclable: It can also be recycled easily without polluting the environment. Recycled furniture is also available in many of the stores at attractive prices.

Versatile: It is also known to be quite versatile. As it is available in various attractive colors and shapes, it can be used for both indoor and outdoor furniture. It can be molded into any desired shape quite easily as it seldom requires carving and chiseling which is done on wood furniture.

Disadvantages

Although plastic furniture is embedded with a number of beneficial qualities, it is still known to include certain disadvantages. This furniture lacks the elegance and the opulence exuded by wooden and metallic furniture. Compared to the wooden furniture, it tends to last for a shorter period of time. This is often considered to be one of the main disadvantages of this type of furniture.

Though the manufacture of this furniture seldom includes deforestation, it is equally harmful to the environment as plastic is a non-biodegradable material which remains on the earth forever. It could impose harmful effects on the environment for many years.

So as you can see from the points above, it can be conclude that plastic furniture got many advantages than disadvantages so that's why many people demand it.

Multifunctional Furniture (Part 2)

The ultimate objective of multipurpose furniture is to enhance efficiency in utilization of space. The increasing emphasis on a minimalist design for a house is attributed to several factors, such as limited land, financial restraint and practicality in housing design. Multifunctional furniture enhances efficient utilization of space, while minimizing the cost of furnishing a house. Such furniture is generally lightweight and smaller.

With the prevailing fast paced lifestyle that is overwhelmed with busyness and activity, it is more preferable to live in a smaller house or apartment, than a huge one. This reduces the burden of cleaning and managing space, but triggers concerns and consideration for a more modern and multifunctional design in home furniture. An example of such furniture is a sofa that is easy to convert back to a bed, commonly referred to as sofa bed furniture. Sofa beds conveniently serve as places to receive visitors, and if they are going to stay, the sofas are easily converted back into comfortable beds. Essentially it is a lot easier to move such furniture to different locations of the house.

Beds can also be modified to serve other functions, such as shoe racks and cabinets. It is also possible to hang a separation wall that separates different rooms, but can be turned into a dining table when need arises. The modern vintage chair has also been improved, and can be used in both the working space, and for dining purposes. Furniture that does not cause obstruction in view can be used to present a larger and more spacious impression of a room. This requires a choice in furniture that is sleek and low.

Customized multipurpose furnishings certainly have the benefit of economy of space. Furniture for children should be designed to grow with the child. Children’s beds should be multipurpose, fancy, and designed in consideration of the needs of a growing child. A multipurpose unit for children drastically reduces the cost of having to purchase a separate piece for every functional need of a growing child, such as sleep, storage, or play. For children, designing separate places for sleeping, playing or storage certainly requires a largerroom, or better still, more customized multipurpose furnishings.

Modern children’s furniture is designed to feel a variety of purposes within a single unit, making it possible for parents to turn limited space into a bedroom, playroom, storage room, or a study room. Customized beds for children have the added advantage of improved lighting in the bedroom. Instead of having to install costly ceiling fixtures or fitting bulky lamps, children’s beds can be customized to provide sufficient lighting. Modern children’s furniture is customized with enough portholes and windows that provide sufficient lighting and enhanced air circulation.

Furniture that is light colored, such as in light green and brown, also significantly enhance the impression of a larger space. Brighter colors make smaller shelters appear spacious. Dark colors present an impression that is tired and heavy. In changing or moving multifunctional furniture, it is better to have furniture that can be transformed into other purposes, as this provides the guarantee that you will want to keep it for longer

(Source: www.modernsensibility6.tumblr.com)

Interview

Our group conduct an individual interview. So, this is the on I did when I went back to Indonesia on the tutorial week. (all is in Bahasa Indonesia so I translated them to English)

Mrs. K (55 years old, Indonesian) works as a cleaning service and live with a retiree mother

Q : Hi, Mrs.K. Nice to meet you. Thank you for let us do the interview with you. The purpose for this interview is to know more about our research topic regarding the short lifespan of the furniture. Firstly, may I know how old are you?

A : I am 55 years old

Q : Are you working now?

A : Yes

Q : May we know what kind of job?

A : I work as a cleaning service

Q : May we know what is the type of your house?

A : It is just a small house

Q : May we know the size of your house?

A : The size is around 6m x 7m

Q : How many people are there including you who live in the house?

A : Just 2 people, me and my mother. She is a retiree

Q : May we know what types of furniture are there in your house?

A : There is just bed, worktable, and a wardrobe

Q : How about the sofa or dining table like that?

A : We just sit on a mat that we lay on the cement floor when we have guest or when we eat because almost all our neighbors’ houses are also like that but the main reason is because sitting on the cement floor gives a cooling effect

Q : May we know the material for your furniture?

A : Wood and bamboo

Q : How long do you change your furniture?

A : I just use them until they broken down. So, maybe around 5 to 7 years

Q : Seems like you didn’t frequently change your furniture, may we know the reason?

A : It is because of the funds. My salary as a cleaning service is not much and I need the money as a living cost for me and my mother

Q : I see. Then for the last question, what type of furniture do you usually buy? The one that is more up-to-date or more efficient?

A : Of course the one that is more efficient

Q : Ok that’s all. Thank you for your time

A : No problem

So from the interview above it can be concluded that not all consumer demanded the up-to-date furniture but some of them prefer more durable and also efficient furniture.

Multifunction Furniture (Part 1)

Nowadays, multifuctional furniture has been enjoying a greater profile.

But double-duty designs have long been dogged by one problem: To put it diplomatically, designers have placed more emphasis on utility than aesthetics.

Now, however, style is right at the forefront. “The pieces are less utilitarian and more design-oriented,” says Alykhan Velji, a Calgary-base interior designer. “A lot of people are buying condos or going into smaller spaces, and they don’t necessarily want to sacrifice style for function.” More people opting for smaller spaces has meant greater competition among furniture-makers to cater to this growing market, meaning you can no longer get away with ignoring style.

Top-name designers are being hired to create multifunctional systems for the luxury market. Take, for example, Dror Benshetrit’s Avani kitchen, designed for AyA, a kitchen company, and unveiled at the Interior Design Show in Toronto last week. The kitchen’s signature system is called the Arc, a moveable island that slides in and out of wall cabinetry.

“We expect from that environment to behave in so many different ways at different times,” Benshetrit says. “Sometimes it needs to be this great tool to prepare a wonderful meal. Sometimes it needs to be this super- comfortable and adaptable to us two, us four, us 20.”

Benshetrit is interested in creating pieces that can undergo what he calls “transformation,” and those that do it well are defined by simplicity, he says. “It has to be one gesture,” he says. “If you need to lift and turn and twist, you’ve lost me.” As well, the best multifunctional furniture often conceals its other side, whether it’s a simple storage bed, a bookshelf that separates to become two chairs, a table or end table that when flipped over works as a serving tray, or a chair that transforms into a step ladder. These pieces have to stand alone because they are prized now just as much for looks as for use. “People are looking for quality of materials,” says Velji.

Only a few years ago, multifunctional furniture was consigned to multifunctional rooms such as spare bedrooms that also served as home offices. We may still have to hide futons in shame, but new multifunctional pieces can be proudly displayed throughout the home – and they are. “Now people have them everywhere,” says Lucie Pitt, an interior designer based in Montreal.

(Source: www.theglobeandmail.com)