Prevention
In order for the cutting board to serve for a long period of time, it is necessary to regularly carry out disinfecting procedures:
- Vinegar - this acid has strong disinfecting properties that can prevent the formation of Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus. Perfectly replace professional products.
- Hydrogen peroxide - preferably 3%. Can be treated after vinegar by wiping with a dampened cloth, or separately.
- Salt and soda - these two ingredients should be poured onto the surface and left for a while, then wipe, wash, dry.
- Chlorine bleach - preferably liquid. In a liter of water, you need to stir 1 teaspoon of the product. Pour the prepared solution onto a board and also leave for about 5 minutes. Then you need to wipe and dry.
- Lemon - wipe the entire surface with half a lemon, and then wipe with a paper towel and dry. Soda, salt and lemon have the ability to remove all harsh aromas.
How to use furniture wax for restoration
It so happens that not only dirt appears on wooden furniture, but also scratches. Today, this is not a serious problem either, since such damage can be easily removed with the help of special furniture wax.
Furniture wax is a special universal remedy that removes various damage from wooden surfaces. It can be applied both on an untreated wood surface and on a varnished one. There are two types of wax, soft and hard.
- Soft furniture wax. This type is better suited for removing small chips and scratches. To do this, you will need to rub the damaged surface with a soft wax. If the groove is deep, you can use a knife blade or putty knife to apply the wax. After 15 minutes, remove any residue and buff with a cotton cloth.
- Hard furniture wax. This is a professional tool, it is better to work with such a product if you have certain skills. It is more expensive than soft wax, but the effect is much better. Before applying the wax, it should be melted and applied to and around cracks and scratches. Next, you need to wait until the product hardens. This happens very quickly, in just a few minutes. Then the remaining wax is removed and the surface is sanded.
Is it dangerous to wash?
It would seem that a kitchen made of wood should be resistant to steam and moisture, because it is not for nothing that it is intended for cooking - it is constant high humidity and condensation in some cases. But technicians also note that there should be a high-quality hood, provided specifically for such purposes as:
- Vapor absorption;
- Odor neutralization;
- Elimination of moisture;
- Elimination of harmful substances.
If all the parameters are preserved during the operation of the hood, and it works properly, then washing the kitchen is reduced only to using a soap solution. However, the housewives believe that a solid wood or other subspecies requires an individual approach. One way or another, direct exposure to chemistry can lead to a violation of the surface layer, and improper cleaning can lead to an early end of operation.
But there are not only dangerous and harmful vapors:
Fats
They remain partially on the wood, even in spite of protective PVC films, paint surfaces and other methods of protecting the material. Fatty acids get inside the wood fibers, affecting the very structure of the wood.
Dust
It settles on the threads and can bite into the surface, which forms a dirt resistant to chemical components. It is presented in the form of layers of dust with a sticky characteristic coating.When combined with fat, surface films are formed, which are difficult to get rid of.
Dirt
Dirt itself in its pure form can settle if not thoroughly washed. Not knowing how to clean a kitchen made of wood in the right way, housewives rub the surface with chemical solutions, smear the dirt without cleaning it off. After that, new household dust settles, which leads to large layers of impurities. The wood gives off moisture vapor, which reinforces the nature of the deposits, and then it is very difficult to wash them.
Thus, important aspects in cleaning are the nature and nature of the pollution, its cause and how it is affected. To find out how to wash a wooden kitchen, it is better to look further at the materials of the article. It describes in detail the steps for each component part of the kitchen set.
Here's how to clean wood furniture.
Removing dust and dirt from furniture surfaces.
Start removing dirt using the most gentle cleaning solution, move up to a stronger, more concentrated solution as needed. Try to make a weak solution of water and soap first for washing. Soak a small piece of soft cloth in soapy water, wring it out, and wipe off the entire area to be cleaned. Wipe with a damp cloth, not a wet cloth. Do not saturate the wood with washable dirt; rinse the fabric more. Then take a second piece of clean cloth and dry the washed piece of furniture cover thoroughly.
We remove dust and restore the old polish.
How to clean old furniture made of natural wood, on which there are layers of dust that have accumulated for decades? The answer is simple, polishing will help you bring antique wood furniture to life. Brew two tea bags in boiling water. Let the tea cool to room temperature, take a soft cloth, wring it out in the tea solution, and gently wash the wood. Tannic acid from tea is an excellent remedy for restoring wood coatings. You will be surprised how the tree starts to glow again.
We remove water stains.
Here's how to remove water stains, rings from dishes with hot or cold drinks formed on a wooden table. Place a few drops of non-helium toothpaste on the stained wood furniture and rub with a soft cloth until the stain disappears. For stubborn stains, mix equal parts baking soda and toothpaste. Wipe the mixture over the stain using a clean, damp cloth and dry thoroughly the area where the mixture was applied. Removing tricky stains. To remove ink stain, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water to create a liquid paste. Apply it to the stain and gently wipe down the wood furniture with a soft cloth until the stain is gone. Then wipe the stain with toothpaste, a clean, damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Dishwashing liquid
This method is suitable for removing most types of stains and dirt from old wood. And it can also be used to clean painted surfaces.
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First, wipe the wood with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove dust. This way you can get to the dirt that has accumulated underneath. If there is a lot of dust on the tree and a dry cloth cannot cope with it, then wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth.
Pour about 1 cup (240 ml) of water into a bowl. Add 2-3 drops of a mild liquid dish detergent to it. Soak a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring it out. Wipe the entire wood piece with a damp cloth. Try to do this in a circular motion.
If there is sticky or stubborn dirt, lightly rub the surface.But do not press too hard to avoid damaging the finish, if any. Try to act quickly so that the wood does not absorb a lot of moisture. Otherwise, it may lead to deformation.
After washing, be sure to wipe the surface with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. And also polish the furniture with a special polish. If any dirty spots remain after the event, you can repeat the process or try another method.
How to recover?
A number of defects formed on wooden furniture can be eliminated with your own hands. This includes minor scratches, fingerprints, and streaks.
Removing prints
To remove fingerprints, wipe the contaminated surface with peeled potatoes or talcum powder.
How to remove scratches?
Methods for solving this problem depend on the type of surface to be treated:
- on oak furniture - treat with a weak iodine solution;
- on ordinary wood - rub in a small amount of shoe polish;
- on DPS or MDF - paint over with a felt-tip pen or crayon of the same color as the furniture.
To remove scratches from wood, a mixture of molten wax and turpentine, taken in a ratio of 4: 3, is also used. In this composition, you need to enter 2 parts of alcohol. After preparing such a mastic, you need to wipe the scratch with a woolen cloth dipped in gasoline, and then apply the resulting product to the problem area.
How to get rid of drips?
To remove streaks on glossy surfaces, use a mixture of water and ammonia, taken in a 6: 1 ratio.
Proper care of solid wood furniture
When buying solid wood furniture, it is worth purchasing special surface care products from the manufacturer, they are ideal for caring for wood furniture and do not cause harm. One of the most demanded products for such furniture is oil. It is applied in a small amount to the surface, left to absorb and wiped with a dry cloth. The amount and period of applying oil to the surface is purely individual, it all depends on the type of wood. It is worth remembering, though, that when you regularly apply oil to the surface, the cleaning process is much simpler and easier.
If you regularly use oils and waxes to care for wooden furniture, then getting the liquid on the surface will not do much harm, it will be enough just to remove the liquid with a cloth. But if the liquid has been on the surface for a long time and has left its marks, to remove it, you will need to wipe the mark with a hard surface of the sponge, and then treat it with oil.
Sometimes we miss different objects on the furniture, what if there is a dent left? Provided that the wood fibers are not damaged, it is enough to iron the dent with a steam iron, and then treat it with oil. If the dent or scratch is deep (up to 4 mm deep), you can use a hard sponge. But the most correct solution in this situation is to contact a specialist who will grind the necessary piece of the surface, then it is worth covering it with oil.
How to dry clean your sofa
If there are no critical stains on the furniture, dry cleaning is sufficient once every few weeks. The basic rule of furniture care says: it is better to keep the product in order at all times than to do a general cleaning once a year.
Dry cleaning removes dust, dust mites, wool, hair and crumbs. This can be done in three main ways:
- Using a vacuum cleaner (used on all types of fabrics);
- Carpet beaters (for fleecy surfaces);
- Brushes for cleaning outerwear (in the absence of a vacuum cleaner, cannot be used on fluffy upholstery).
- How to remove stains from fabric upholstery
For any hostess, a stain on the couch is akin to a disaster. But you can still get rid of the stubborn dirt.
From smooth fabrics, the stain is first scraped off with a sharp object, please note that this procedure cannot be carried out with fleecy upholstery.
There is a universal way to get rid of dirt on upholstered furniture. You need to take soap or hair shampoo, beat the lather and apply to the sofa cover. Allow this solution to soak, and then rinse this area clean with water.
To do this, soapy water with a few drops of ammonia, or water with vinegar will help. It is worth noting that such measures are used in extreme cases, since the alcoholic and acidic environment can eat away paint.
Rules and methods of cleaning
As noted earlier, the rules for cleaning furniture depend on the material from which the household items are made. In particular, natural wood and varnished surfaces do not tolerate the effects of aggressive substances and detergents, which contain abrasive particles.
Climatic conditions
The following conditions are considered optimal for wooden furniture:
- air temperature - from +10 to +25 degrees;
- humidity level - over 45% and up to 70%.
When the moisture level rises, the wood swells, and mold develops on the surface and inside the material. Due to excessive dryness of the air, furniture dries out. Both factors cause the wood to crack.
Use of chemicals
Before using chemical cleaners, it is necessary to clarify whether the selected agent is suitable for specific materials.
Presto Clean Napkins
These wipes, impregnated with natural oils, are used for daily cleaning of wooden and lacquered furniture. Presto Clean acts as an antistatic agent. Thanks to this, dust does not settle on the furniture after cleaning.
Furniture wax clean spray
It is formulated with citrus terpenes and silicone to prevent dust from settling and remove existing scratches. After processing this product on the surface a layer is formed that protects against dirt for a long time.
Wood reviver
Wood Reviver contains organic oils that prevent wood cracking and warping. This tool removes various impurities, including grease. Wood Reviver is recommended for the restoration of old furniture.
Restorative oil Danish Oil
Danish Oil contains a mixture of natural oils that penetrate into the deep layers of wood, protect the material from ultraviolet radiation and restore old furniture.
Review of folk methods
Traditional methods of caring for wood products are no less effective than professional products. In this case, the type of material to be processed should also be taken into account.
Walnut
Walnut is used to remove scratches on the wood surface. To do this, it is enough to wipe the defect back and forth. Then you need to leave the material for a few minutes and remove the remnants of the nut with a dry napkin.
Hot knife
A hot knife is mainly used to remove large defects that cannot be eliminated with the indicated means. A part of the material near the scratch is cut with a heated blade, and then wood of a similar size soaked in glue is inserted into this recess.
Potato
If there are fingerprints on the varnished surface, then wipe the problem area with peeled raw potatoes.
Oil and wax
Vegetable oil is used to remove water marks left on the varnished surface. After cleaning, the material must be wiped with crushed wax.
Olive oil polish recipes
Olive oil creates a protective layer and prevents the wood from drying out. Therefore, this agent is often included in the composition of various polishes.
Lemon juice
By mixing a tablespoon of oil and 2 - lemon juice, you can get a cleaner for wood surfaces from dirt.
With white vinegar
Vinegar has the same properties as lemon juice.Therefore, you can use similar proportions (1: 2) to create a cleanser.
With beeswax
To create a polish according to this recipe, you need to melt 2 tablespoons of beeswax in a steam bath and mix the latter with a glass of olive oil and half a teaspoon of essential oil.
The only requirement for the lighting of the room in which wooden furniture is installed is that direct sunlight should not fall on household items. Under such influence, the material fades, and the lacquered surface loses its original shine.
Maintenance of lacquered and painted furniture
Paintwork is one of the best options for modern furniture fronts. It is this coating that gives the furniture its gloss. Modern manufacturers produce painted facades from MDF, and earlier, using the same technology, they varnished cabinets, tables and other furniture. There are a number of tips for caring for a glossy surface using all kinds of oils, glycerin, alcohol, milk, salt, nuts, etc.
When caring for lacquered and painted furniture, you must adhere to a number of rules. For example, overheating should be avoided, therefore, painted furniture should not be installed near heating appliances, as well as on heated floors. You should also not put hot objects on such furniture. Cold walls should also be avoided. If you want your furniture to serve you as long as possible, then you should not allow prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on the varnished surface.
In order to avoid mechanical damage, it is necessary to carefully handle sharp and heavy objects. On the surface of lacquered or painted furniture, there should be no drops of oils and other contaminants.
The best way to clean painted or lacquered furniture is with a soft cloth. It is not recommended to use powder cleaners or aggressive agents. But you can use non-aggressive detergents or soap solution when caring for such surfaces. In the event that you use detergents, be sure to remove them from the surface. Do not leave such products to dry on the surface of the furniture. Wipe everything dry, otherwise whitish spots may remain on the varnished surface. It is best to use a flannel cloth for wiping. You can also use microfiber or faux suede auto wipes. If your lacquered furniture is old or matte, then you need a polish. For this, polishes are used for furniture facades or glossy surfaces.
Folk remedies for furniture care
There are a lot of wood furniture care products in household chemicals stores, but natural, environmentally friendly products are quite expensive and it is not always possible to buy them. In addition, for some, synthetic products can cause respiratory irritation, allergies and other unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, we bring to your attention several folk recipes for the care of interior items, which are absolutely safe and give an equally effective cleaning result.
Composition No. 1
This environmentally friendly product is suitable for all types of wood, including laminate.
To prepare the composition, you will need:
- Vegetable oil - 2 parts;
- Lemon juice - 1 part.
Usage:
- Prepare the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Apply the product to a napkin and wipe the surface to be treated.
- Use another cloth to dry the wood surface.
Composition No. 2
If the first composition seems too greasy to you, then prepare the following mixture:
- Table vinegar - ¼ tbsp.;
- Vegetable oil - a few drops.
The method of application is the same as when using the above-described wood furniture care product.
Composition No. 3
This product can be used for polishing and additional protection of furniture. Turpentine will cleanse furniture, while wax will add extra shine, protection and a pleasant scent.
You will need:
- Beeswax - 50 g;
- Turpentine - 140g.
Finely grate the wax and mix with the turpentine.
Composition No. 4
This tool is effective for untreated surfaces, especially kitchens, because often kitchens use wooden countertops, which require more private and careful maintenance.
- Walnut oil - 1 part;
- Flaxseed oil - 1 part;
- Essential oil (citrus) - 1-2 drops;
- Beeswax - 1 part.
Composition No. 5
This product is one of the best for untreated wood or outdoor furniture. This formulation will provide the highest level of protection compared to conventional vegetable oil.
To prepare the product you will need:
- Mineral oil - 1 glass;
- Lemon (or other) oil - 1 teaspoon.
- If the furniture is old and has lost its luster, then you can revive it with tea. Brew a couple of tea bags in a saucepan. When it is infused, soak a napkin in the drink, wring it out well and wipe the surface to be treated.
- If there are whitish stains on the furniture after hot items, use the following product: Mix equal parts salt and vegetable oil. Apply the composition to the stain, leave it on for a few hours. Then - remove the mixture, wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth.
- Kerosene cleans well and removes stains from polished and varnished surfaces.
- To care for furniture, you can prepare the following composition: boil a piece of wax in a glass of beer. Soak a soft cloth in a warm composition and apply a thin layer of the product to the lacquered furniture. After the composition is dry, polish the surface with a dry wool cloth.
What to do?
Daily maintenance can slow down the aging of furniture or practically stop it. There are a number of basic tips for this:
Regular cleaning and polishing of furniture
You don't need to clean and polish your furniture every day if it's not part of your routine, but you should devote more time to those places and pieces of furniture that are used most often, such as tables. The usual cleaning schedule for this furniture is daily dusting and polishing every six months.
Coating a regularly used surface
Every time you do something on wooden furniture, you risk damaging it, so you should cover the surface in use with a soft towel, rug or stand, put the tablecloth on the dining table and felt lamp pads on the coffee table. Be sure to use coasters for hot dishes: round stains from hot mugs very easily and quickly appear on the surface of the table.
Monitor the room climate
Wood swells when humidity is high and cracks when too low. Such changes in humidity will eventually deform the furniture and can lead to breakage. Invest in a humidifier or desiccant if you live in an area with very high or very low humidity.
Prevent furniture from being infested with parasites
Beetles have never been welcome in the house, but some insects can literally devour you. Remember, it is much more difficult to get rid of insects that have already settled in you than to prevent their appearance.
And although furniture manufacturers now necessarily treat furniture with substances that protect against parasites, you should take your own precautions. To do this, try to ensure that the furniture is not constantly exposed to water, grease or chemicals.
What NOT to do?
Many things we do without thinking can damage furniture. You may not always be able to remove them from your life, but you can try to minimize them. So, what should NOT be done with solid wood furniture:
Chemicals
Try to keep solvent or nail polish away from wood furniture. If these substances are spilled, they can ruin the finish. Also choose cleaners carefully. Do not choose those that contain bleach, alcohols, or other substances that can damage the wood. Stay with the most natural cleansers.
Plastic
All kinds of plastic mugs and plastic decorations and decor can be very cute, however, their negative impact on wood is undeniable. Over time, their color can mix with the color of the wood, and moisture and heat, which are easily absorbed by the plastic, will damage the texture of the furniture. Try to either keep the plastic away from solid wood furniture, or use cloth napkins.
sunlight
If you think a wooden chair would look perfect on an outdoor veranda, think again. Sunlight will discolor the wood and can damage the finish. In fact, the finish is also damaged by artificial lighting, so the most ideal solution is to use a UV filter or turn on the light in the room only when it is actually dark.
Heat
Fireplaces, radiators and stoves perfectly heat the room, but they can seriously harm solid wood furniture. It's okay if wooden furniture and a heater are in the same room, but not next to each other. In other words, place solid wood furniture and the heater as far apart as possible.
Folk remedies
For cleaning different furniture, it is allowed to use different folk recommendations, but they must be checked. Incorrect use of different products can cause deterioration of the appearance of objects. Such a lesson can be expensive, so the following tips are taken into account:
- it is advisable to wipe the wine immediately with cold water;
- wine stains are initially covered with salt, and then wiped off with a rag dipped in vodka, and you can also neutralize the wine with soda slaked with vinegar;
- juices are removed with boiling water;
- it is enough to simply remove traces of jam with laundry soap mixed with vinegar;
- chocolate is well rubbed with saline;
- the blood is removed first with a cloth soaked in cold water, after which it is treated with a piece of laundry soap;
- paint residues are carefully removed with acetone.
There are many popular ways to remove complex stains from different furniture surfaces. However, they can be even more effective than using specialized cleaning solutions.
Salt is used to remove wine stains
The gum is removed with ice
How to clean wood furniture
Wood is most often used in the manufacture of furniture, but wood products must be constantly looked after. For example, dust should be wiped daily, and general cleaning should be done once a week. Here are some ways to clean wood.
Lemon essential oil. The mixture is applied to a soft sponge or cloth and wiped on wooden surfaces and individual elements of this material. The essential oil has a pleasant fresh scent and is great for polishing wood.
Baby soap. Take a suitable container and pour 2 cups of water into it. Add some baby soap. In this liquid, dampen a soft cloth and wipe the dirty areas. Then wipe with a cloth soaked in clean water and then dry.
Vinegar and olive oil. For this cleaning method, you will need 100 ml of 9% table vinegar and 50 ml of olive oil. Pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle. Spray in the desired areas and wipe well with a tissue. This treatment will renew your furniture, leaving it clean and shiny.
Lemon juice. Mix 50 ml of lemon juice with the same amount of water. Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wipe the surface of the wood. This method is great for daily cleaning.
Ammonia. If the wooden surface is very dirty, it can be cleaned using the following solution: add 10 ml of ammonia to 50 ml of water
With this liquid, rub well the dirty areas using a sponge.
Petrolatum. If you or your family members had the carelessness to put a hot cup or plate on a wooden surface and there is a white mark, try treating this place with Vaseline. Leave it on overnight and buff it in the morning.
How to clean floors for the first time after painting
Freshly painted wood flooring shines and shines with cleanliness. But several days pass - and dust, various prints and other contaminants appear on the new coating.
To remove streaks and grime from newly painted floors, there are a few rules to keep in mind:
- The first time the floor is washed two weeks after staining. During this time, the paint will dry well and be absorbed into the wood.
- Do not use detergents, warm water and a soft cloth. You just need to change the water more often (a bucket for 2-3 m2).
- In the event that the floorboards are painted with alkyd enamel on a pentaphthalic base, you can wipe the floors with a solution of vinegar essence. To do this, pour 1 tbsp into a 10 liter container of water. l. 70% vinegar, wash the floor, then be sure to wipe it with a clean damp cloth. Be careful: the vinegar essence should not get on the skin or mucous membranes!
- If nitro enamels or polyurethane enamels were used to paint the floor, it is better not to use an acid solution, but simply wipe it with a damp cloth.
For all paints and varnishes, you can use a weak solution of ammonia (add 1 tablespoon of ammonia to 10 liters of water).
Caring for fabric surfaces
Fabric-covered upholstered furniture tends to collect dust, hair, and animal lint. Since dry cleaning of bulky items is expensive, many people try to get rid of contamination on their own.
Often, after such procedures, the product looks even worse. Before you start cleaning furniture, it is worth remembering the following rules:
Each product should be checked on a small area of the upholstery that is inaccessible to the eyes. Wait until it dries and evaluate the result.
On upholstery made of fleecy materials (flock, velor, microfiber, suede), do not use solutions containing alcohol.
Microfiber and suede do not tolerate wet cleaning; it is recommended to use a soft dry cloth or a special brush to remove stains.
For light-colored fabrics, use only light-colored brushes and rags so that they do not stain the upholstery.
Threats to the quality of wood products
During indoor or outdoor use, wood materials are influenced by many circumstances. Outdoor products are exposed to the following influences:
- solar irradiation;
- attack by steam and directly by water from precipitation;
- infection with fungi, bacteria, insects;
- mechanical stress.
In the interior space of buildings, aggressive influences are less noticeable, but they also play an essential role in maintaining the good performance of wood.
To preserve the properties of wooden products, various methods are used: chemical, mechanical (physical), complex processing. Some techniques can only be performed in workshops with special equipment, others can be fully implemented at home.
Impregnations for children's furniture
Particular attention should be paid to paints and impregnations for arranging children's rooms, processing furniture in children's institutions, camps, gardens and nurseries. The paint for such objects is chosen very carefully, taking into account all possible nuances.
For canteens, paint compositions are chosen that can be easily treated with chemical agents that are impervious to water.After wiping off the remnants of porridge and stains from juice, the furniture should not lose its appearance, therefore, the products must be resistant to detergents.
An important factor is the environmental friendliness of components for wood processing. The composition should not cause irritation on the skin of children and fully comply with all quality standards of children's institutions. Paint manufacturers will assure you of the safety of using certain formulations, but it will not be superfluous to get to know the manufacturer better and read the instructions. In the recommendations for the use of paint, it should be indicated that the content is one hundred percent neutral. As a standard, such products are accompanied by a corresponding quality certificate.
In conclusion, it should be noted that today a large number of components with antibacterial properties are produced. Most often, silver is present in the composition, and the paint itself performs antibacterial protection. Children's furniture should be original, and if you apply a special slate paint to the surface, then the furniture will perform the functions of magnetization. Thus, you can draw on furniture and easily erase drawings, attach magnets like on a refrigerator.
As you can see, there are a great variety of impregnation options for furniture, shelving, and all of them are freely sold on the construction market.