There are a number of
things that we do not know about the furniture we use.
There a number of small problems that crop up every
now and then with the furniture that is regularly
used. It would be simple if someone gave you a few
ideas on small repairs that you can do yourself at
home. Given below are a few tips on dealing with
simple problems with furniture and answers to some
common questions about furniture.
Be careful while buying wooden furniture.
Furniture made of particleboard and medium density fiberboard
is also called "solid wood". But furniture made out
of these is not worth buying, as it is harder to repair and
heavier than real wood. Buy furniture with signs that
explicitly say solid oak wood or cherry wood or ash wood.
These are safer to buy.
A number of times you want to know the kind
of finish that has been used on your furniture. To find out
you will have to do a solvent test. Dip cotton in some nail
polish remover or acetone and rub over an area that is not
easily visible. If the finish softens then the finish is
nitrocellulose lacquer, which is the most popular finish in
the furniture industry. If the finish softens with alcohol
then the finish is shellac. If it does not soften with either
acetone or alcohol then the finish is varnish, polyurethane,
catalyzed lacquer etc. that cannot be dissolved by its
original solvent.
If you are applying finish on your furniture
then remember to account for humidity. High levels of humidity
in the air will prevent the finish from drying and it will
turn white or have a dull finish. If a professional is
finishing your furniture then allow the piece to dry
completely, for a few days before using it.
Placing any kind of potpourri directly on the
furniture will damage the finish even though it is kept in
cloth or plastic bag.
If metal bed frames are squeaking then just
apply oil to the rivets and this will stop it from squeaking.
If a bed made out of wood squeaks, it means it is getting
loose and needs re-gluing.
In a drawer wood moves against wood and
certain parts need to be lubricated. If drawers stick rub some
paste wax on the drawer and the wood that it rides on. If this
does not work then the drawer needs some repair or is very
worn out.
Glass tabletops actually protect the wooden
tables. Do not allow moisture get trapped between the glass
and the wood. Raise the glass tabletop with rubber bumpers,
this will allow airspace and let the wood breath.
Before using wooden screws rub a little
candle or bee's wax or soap on the screw threads and it will
move more smoothly.
