1. Dust it Well

No one likes dusting, but it is one of the simplest ways to take care of your wooden furniture. On wood, airborne particles can produce a filmy layer that scratches the surface. Frequent dusting prevents this accumulation from occurring. To reduce damage, always use soft fabric such as cotton T-shirts, cloth diapers, or microfiber. Make sure you clean any dust off using a smooth, dry cloth. Woolen dusters are perfect for ornate carvings or areas that are difficult to reach because they attract and retain dust efficiently. A polished piece of furniture makes for a radiant room. It is advisable to clean your sofas, chairs, etc. once every two months. A feather duster like an ostrich-feather duster removes dust from fragile surfaces that are easily damaged. Feather dusters may be used on items such as silk lampshades, mirrors, picture frames, art, and delicate collectibles, in addition to wood furniture.

2. Minimal Exposure to Sunlight

Be cautious when exposing wooden furniture to sunlight for extended durations. The consequence is a “spotting” phenomenon where bright and dark spots appear around the cross-section. You might use a tablecloth on a wooden table to manage its damage. Sunlight, heat, and other environmental factors on your fine furniture can be devastating. Do not place delicate furnishings in front of uncovered windows or fireplaces, as light and heating will harm and ruin the wood.

3. Be Mindful of Temperature

Prevent using extremely hot and cold cleaners for enhanced maintenance on wooden furniture. They tend to leave a mark that distorts the surface’s original texture. Ensure that the exposure to cleaning fluids is limited to appropriate periods of time and not too long. Wood can swell or contract, depending on the atmosphere around it. You might need to use a humidifier  in your home if you live in a dry place. And if you live in a humid climate, moisture in your home may need to be managed to prolong the life of wooden furniture.

4. Don’t Mistreat Furniture

You should be very careful not to leave sharp items too close to wooden furniture. To prevent heat and rings, do use the coaster when placing glasses or mugs on the tables of wood, and never put hot food on them without the safety of a hotplate or potholder. Include decorative placemats or table linen to shield your tables from food and drink spills.

5. Oil and Wax Regularly

It is highly recommended to oil and wax wood because it gives it a shiny varnish. It also adds a protective layer, thus enlivening its appearance with a coating on the surface. If you were able to oil and wax your wooden units once every three months, it would be great. For a fresh and shiny finish, most commercial polishes and sprays contain either petroleum distillates or silicone oil to give your furniture some protection. Be sure not to use too much stuff, as it can create a dull, sticky film by creating accumulation that combines with dirt. When using products to help prevent this buildup, please make sure to buff properly and never use these products with a wax protectant because the mixture will result in another greasy mess.

6. Keep Your Wood Clean

Dusting isn’t enough often and you’ll find it appropriate to clean your furniture with wood. Never use all-purpose cleaners that can cause the finish to be affected. Dip a cloth in water which contains a mild dish detergent if you have a spot that is heavily stained or sticky. Wring it out as much as you can and wipe the area gently. Be sure to follow up with a moist cloth rinse containing only water, then clean with a soft dry cloth promptly. To clean furniture, you can use warm water and mild dish soap. Take care not to soak it for longer periods of time. Clean it until the stain wears off. Then, with a towel, the remaining moisture can be cleaned away later.

7. Treat Wear and Tear

Wood furniture can sustain wounds even with the best treatment. Using a product for slight nicks and scratches is recommended. A  liquid polish masks abrasions, preserving the inherent elegance of the wood. If the damage is too severe for polishes or touch-up sticks to be handled, you can need to turn to something more severe.  Inject new life by painting a piece of broken furniture and give it some more good years. By skipping sanding, painting also helps you to save time, which you can’t do if you choose to re-stain.

 8. Keep Wood Smelling Fresh

Source: Pixabay

Older pieces can develop an unpleasant odour sometimes, especially if they have been stored. To refresh it you can sprinkle the surface with baking soda and put a pan of charcoal inside the drawers to absorb the smells that emanate from the inside. On a sunny, dry day you can even leave the piece out in a shaded area to give relief from a pungent smell and make your furniture as good as new. With a vinegar and water solution, you can eliminate the odour from your furniture.  This is an old tip that almost always works.  Make a solution made of water and white vinegar in equal parts. Simply soak and scrub the surface with a clean rag. 

9. Remove Tough Stains

Often the unthinkable happens, despite your best intentions, and your beautiful wood furniture gets stained. Make sure to clean it as soon as possible, no matter what kind of stain you have the longer it remains, the harder it’ll be to remove. 

• Using a paste with equal amounts of white toothpaste and baking soda for white rings from wet glasses. When it’s gone, rub it into the stain. Then, clean with a dry cloth off the furniture and buff. 
• Try gently blotting the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar to remove dark spots from water damage. 
• Apply mayonnaise to the region for pencil marks. Before rubbing clean with a moist cloth and buffing with a dry cloth, let it sit for a few minutes.

10. DIY Furniture Care Tips

Source: PXhere

Odors and oddities can be harmful to even the highest-quality wood furnishings. Fortunately, there are a few basic ways to take care of your wooden furniture. 

• If a vintage piece has a pungent smell, on a humid, dry day, air it outside. Remember to shade from direct sunlight. 
• For odour absorption, pour talcum powder or baking soda over the surface. 
• For drawers that cling, use white candle wax to rub the upper edges.

The post How To Take Care Of Your Wooden Furniture appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Whether moving to a new house or renovating the old one, we all want our home to look stunning and flawless. To achieve this task, we must take a lot of points into account – choosing the right wall putty is one of them. The application of wall putty is a preliminary step and it ensures that the lifeline of the paint increases. Make use of simple tools to make the process easier for yourself. There are many options available in the market when it comes to choosing putty. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about wall putty.

What is Wall Putty?

Before learning what kind of wall putty is the best one for your house, first understand what is meant by wall putty? Painters apply this white-colored smooth mixture on the walls before painting them. This mixture is nothing but cement. It is first created into powdery form and then converted into a mixture for applying on the walls. The application of wall putty decreases the deterioration of your walls. It further makes your walls water & heat resistant, abrasion resistant, and prevents them from undergoing unwanted flaking.

Types of Wall Putty

1. Acrylic Wall Putty

Acrylic wall putty is acrylic & water-based putty especially used on interior walls. The smooth texture and long-lasting properties of this type of putty make it a good option when compared to POP. The exceptional quality of acrylic putty gives a polished and impressive finish to the walls. It also helps in sealing cracks and abnormalities in the wall.

2. White Cement Wall Putty

White putty is a polymer-based putty and is one of the most popular types of wall putty used in houses nowadays. A mixture of Polymers, white cement, and minerals make the putty ideal for interior as well as exterior walls. This type of putty is famous for providing a superior, glossy, and smooth finish to the walls. White cement wall putty has excellent gluing strength.

Putty or Primer First?

A maximum number of brands recommend applying putty only after the first coat of primer dries. But there are brands like Birla White, which suggest avoiding the use of primers before using their product as their paints include wall putty in their formulas. One of the main reasons for applying putty is to fill dents and cracks on the walls. Another reason to use wall putty is to enhance the life of the paint. Using one or two layers of putty before the final paint; can help in providing a flawless shine to the walls. Always make sure to read a brand’s instruction manual before using their wall putty products. Your walls will show the best results, only if you follow the procedure accurately. Also, do remember to clean your walls by getting rid of old stains, grease, and wallpapers. Carry out this step irrespective of the product that you choose to apply first.

Pros & Cons of Using Wall Putty

Pros Of Using Wall Putty

• Wall putty is a cost-effective way to reduce the consumption of paints on the walls, you need less paint to get the job done.
• Wall putty has resistivity against water, so it prevents moisture buildup on walls.
• Wall putty makes the paint durable & long-lasting, as it develops a strong bond with it.
• It brings out the actual paint shade by providing a glossy, smooth, and impressive finish to the walls.
•  It does not get damaged and prevents unwanted flaking of expensive paint coats.
•  Wall putty helps in strengthening the tensile strength of the walls.

Cons Of Using Wall Putty

• Only a skilled painter should put the putty on the walls, as it dries rapidly.
• After the application of putty, it is quite difficult to scrape it off.
•  Once the wall putty hardens, we cannot modify or change it.
• As it dries quickly, prepare the putty by using a mechanical stirrer. Your hands or other tools cannot do the job for you.
• Wall putty contains harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, which can cause skin allergies.
• If you are using wall putty for a larger surface area, then it can become difficult to prevent the cracks.

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Wall Putty: Application

The application of wall putty can be done on exterior or interior walls. Accordingly, decide which kind of wall putty do your walls need. Always add water slowly to the wall putty mix, ensuring the preparation of a smooth paste. Make use of a mechanical stirrer to blend the mixture. Use the putty mixture within 2-3 hours of preparation. Prepare the putty mix in small quantities to prevent wastage of the putty mix.

Tips to Remember

Remember to wear goggles and a mask while removing the loose particles from the wall.

Before applying putty, make sure that the surface of the wall is free from unwanted particles like dust, dirt, grease, molds, etc. Use sandpaper or a clean towel to carry out this step. Use sandpaper for removing unwanted particles from oil-painted walls. Use a screwdriver to dig out all the cracks and dents in the wall. Apply wall putty only on a pre-wet surface. This step allows the putty to create a strong bond with the wall substrates. Use wall putty on a plastered wall with the help of tools like a putty knife and a firm brush. After the application of putty, smoothen the dry surface with sandpaper. 

Conclusion

You need to get rid of the belief that paint alone cannot make sure that the walls of your house look amazing. Make an extra effort to choose the right wall putty so that it can increase the appeal of your lovely home. If you are repainting your house, and there is no major damage to the walls, then you can just do minor touch ups with the putty. With a number of wall putty brands available it can be difficult to choose the right one for your home. Brands like JKG, Birla, and Bird White offer wall putty that is perfect for almost all homes. Consider the amount of sun and moisture your home is exposed to before making a choice. It’s always best to consult a professional.

The post Wall Putty Uses and Applications – A Comprehensive Study appeared first on ZAD Interiors.