How to Remove Water Stains from Wood

Water stains or hard water spots are caused by minerals and can be avoided completely by wiping your wood surfaces dry. (When they are still wet, of course!)

Of course, it’s too late for that now and there’s a white circular ring on your beautiful wood table.

But don’t worry!

These unsightly water rings (I call them the ghosts of drinks gone by) can be removed with the right method.

The heavier the stain, and the longer it is allowed to remain, the harder the mineral build up will be to remove.

Here are a few of my favorite cleaning tips (that really work!) to remove water stains fast.

What are Water Stains?

A water stain is a white ring or spot on the wood that doesn’t come off with normal cleaning.

It is caused by minerals naturally present in the water that are left on a surface and allowed to air dry. The water evaporates and the mineral solids remain, causing the stain. Real wood that hasn’t been treated with a impervious wax, varnish or a polish are easily susceptible to water stains.

How to Remove Water Stains

If your table is of particular value, antique or a family heirloom, you may want to contact a wood professional to help you out.

Regular Toothpaste

Regular toothpaste (not gel toothpaste) contains very fine abrasives and is a simple, yet effective way to eliminate white water marks on wood furniture.

1. Slightly dampen a rag, apply a little white toothpaste.
2. Gently rub into the spot.
3. Dampen the rag again to remove the stain and any remaining toothpaste.
4. Re-polish as you usually do.

Lemon Juice/Vinegar and Salt

Lemon juice and vinegar are mild acids that help to dissolve mineral solids.

1. Simply mix the lemon juice or vinegar with salt to form a paste.
2. Rub over the white mark using a circular motion until the stain is gone.
3. Use a damp rag to clean up any left over residue.
4. Polish thoroughly to restore the original luster.

Apply Heat from a Dry Iron

I was skeptical on this remedy, but it really does work. The heat softens the minerals enough so you can wipe them away. Any remaining water in the finish is evaporated away.

1. Plug it in and set it to medium high. Do not use the steam setting.
2. Get a clean lint free rag and place it over the stain.
3. When the iron is hot, run it over cloth covering the stained area for a few brief seconds.
4. Pick up the rag and check the stain, repeat until the mark is gone.
5. Add polish or wax when finished.

Salad Oil and Salt

The salt helps remove any remaining moisture and is an abrasive. The oil penetrates the wood and removes the white discoloration.

1. Mix up a 50/50 paste of salad oil and salt.
2. Rub into stubborn water marks.
3. Let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes
4. Wipe clean.

Removing Heavy or Stubborn Water Marks

If the tips above don’t work, as a last resort you can try 000 steel wool.

This is a super fine steel wool that can lightly sand the surface to remove the water mark. Work gently to avoid damaging the surface. Because steel wool is abrasive it will remove some of the finish or varnish along with the water stain.

How to Prevent Future Water Stains

• Always use coasters.
• Wipe up spills and water sweat from glasses, cans, bottles immediately.
• Protect your wood furniture with an appropriate finish.
• Maintain your wood by waxing or polishing on regular schedule. (It repels water!)

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How to Clean Upholstered Microfiber Furniture

Microfiber is a popular choice among many homeowners when it comes to furniture.

I think it’s because microfiber looks luxurious and is just begging to be lounged upon.

Furniture made of microfiber resembles furniture that is made of suede. Despite this, the difference between the two are night and day.

Suede is similar to leather as it is made from the flesh side of an animal hide, while leather is made from the outer layer.

Compare that to microfiber, which is a man-made material. Ultra-thin strands of polyester and nylon are wound together to create upholstery fabric that is durable, hypoallergenic and beautiful.

With microfiber being both water resistant and dust proof, you may think to yourself, “what’s the catch?” Even though microfiber is easy to clean, just like anything else, it is vulnerable to stains if you aren’t careful.

Microfiber upholstery is a bit more challenging to work with than regular fabrics, but they do tend to hold up well if vacuumed regularly and cleaned with the proper products.

But if you have a stain, don’t worry. I know just how to clean it up fast. So let’s get busy cleaning!

Prior to Cleaning

Always do a spot check in an inconspicuous place beforehand. If the color is affected, do not use the cleaning solution.

Do not over saturate the furniture with cleaning solutions or water.

If you happen to do this, remove as much moisture as soon as possible. All upholstered furniture is difficult to dry quickly or completely.

Check the Fabric Label FIRST

All furniture products and fabric coverings have a label with the recommended cleaning method to use.

You might find the tag with the cleaning codes on a printed label under the seat cushions, on the underside of your couch or chair or on fabric samples.

These labels should be your guide and are extremely useful when it comes to choosing your cleaning solutions and the method you choose to clean the furniture.

• W: use water-based cleaning solutions
• S: use a water-free dry-cleaning solvent
• S-W: use S or W type cleaners
• X: vacuum or brush the upholstery lightly to remove dirt

Never Use These Chemicals

There are several types of cleaning solutions that you should never use with microfiber.

The chemicals include:

• Bleach or products containing bleach
• Nail polish remover
• Carpet cleaners
• Standard upholstery cleaners

Selecting the Proper Cleaner

If you elect to use a commercial product, make sure you buy the correct cleaner.

If you received a manual with your furniture, check and see what products the manufacturer recommends to clean your microfiber upholstery.

I have microfiber furniture and I usually use Resolve when cleaning it. It’s highly concentrated and removes dirt and odors.

Removing Soil from Water-Safe Microfiber

1. Spray the soiled area with the cleaner.
2. Blot at the soiled area gently with a clean, damp, colorfast sponge.
3. Rinse the sponge and cloth and repeat if necessary.
4. Blot any remaining moisture from the fabric with a clean colorfast cloth.

Removing Stains from Water-Safe Microfiber

This cleaning method will help to remove a variety of stains, including but not limited to: ink, red wine, mustard, soda, tea and coffee.

Gather your supplies:

• Vacuum cleaner and a soft brush attachment
• Gentle liquid soap such as Dawn
• Lukewarm water
• Soft bristled brush
• Clean, cotton rags

Tip: If you are trying to remove a large stain from your microfiber furniture, work in one section at a time and clean it completely before moving to the next.

1. If there is a spill on your furniture, grab some paper towels or rags and start dabbing the liquid.
2. Do not rub or scrub, as this can cause the stain to set. The key is to absorb as much of the liquid as possible while not damaging your furniture in the process.
3. Let your furniture air dry before moving on to the next step.
4. Remove any miscellaneous dirt and grime by vacuuming your furniture with the soft brush attachment.
5. Add a couple squirts of the gentle liquid soap to a bowl and then fill the bowl with lukewarm water. This should cause lots of suds or bubbles, which will be used for cleaning.
6. Dip a clean, cotton rag into the suds and start lightly dabbing the upholstery.
7. Clean gently and work in small circular motions. If necessary, dip the rag in the water until it is slightly damp, but be sure you do not over saturate!
8. Take a clean, dry rag and blot your microfiber upholstery until it is dry.
9. If, when dry, your furniture is not as exquisite as it was prior to cleaning it, take a soft bristled brush and lightly brush in one direction.
10. Repeat if necessary.

Cleaning Non-Water Safe Microfiber

If the label on your microfiber upholstery clearly states that you cannot use a water-soluble product, you need to clean an entirely different way.

1. Vacuum your microfiber furniture thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt or debris, as you do not want these to get trapped in the fabric once you begin cleaning.
2. Find a gentle dry-detergent. Lightly brush your dry-detergent of choice into the stained or dirty area with a soft bristle brush.
3. Vacuum the microfiber to remove all the dry-detergent.
4. Repeat if necessary.

If this method does not work well enough, you may want to think about calling a professional cleaner.

How to Keep Your Microfiber Looking Great

Properly caring for your furniture can provide you years of comfort. Follow these rules to keep your microfiber upholstery in tip-top shape:

• Vacuum your furniture with a soft brush attachment weekly.
• Clean all spills immediately. Microfiber might be water resistant, but rings and stains from liquids can form if not cleaned and dried correctly.
• If your microfiber upholstery isn’t as soft as it once was, lightly run a soft brush through it.

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How to Clean Dirty Patio Furniture

Have you ever been invited to a barbecue and were dismayed when you arrived and found there was no where to sit because all of the patio furniture was really dirty?

Well you’re not alone.

As a matter of fact, your furniture might be needing a little love right now. Instead of putting it off until tomorrow or the next day, let’s get up and do something about it.

Try out a few of the cleaning tips I have listed below and you’ll find that in no time your patio furniture will look just as good as it did the day you bought it!

Pre-Rinse the Furniture

Whether your furniture is aluminum, plastic or wood, remove any sort of covering or cushions and spray it down with your garden hose.

If you have a sprayer attached to your garden hose, turn the nozzle so the stream of water is fairly wide but still has enough force to remove any spider webs and dust.

Assemble a soft bristle scrub brush, a 1 gallon bucket and mix the following:

• 3 good squirts (1/3 cup) of mild dishwashing liquid, such as dawn dishwashing detergent
• Warm water

Quickly go over your patio furniture with a soft-bristled brush to remove some of the worst of the caked on mud, bird poop and mold or mildew that has started growing. Don’t worry about getting it all, this will be taken care of in our instructions below.

After you are done, grab your garden hose and spray your furniture again to get rid of any leftover residue.

The Cleaning Process

Don’t use too much soap as the residue left behind will require more rinsing.

1. Remove cushions and seat coverings from furniture.
2. Pre-wash patio furniture with garden hose, as described above.
3. Clean the patio umbrella, as described below.
4. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water. You can use a mild dish washing liquid soap or slivers of gentle bath soap.
5. If your furniture has mold or mildew growing on it, add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the warm water.
6. Dip a large cellulose sponge into the bucket and start wiping down your furniture, paying special attention to the underside of chairs and under the table. If you are cleaning wood furniture, use a soft bristled brush instead of a sponge.
7. Rinse the patio furniture off and allow to air dry.

Cleaning the Cushions

If the cushions for your patio furniture have cloth covers, wash them according to the directions on the label – I would recommend not putting them in the dryer as they could shrink. If they’re vinyl, follow these steps and don’t forget to wash all sides of the cushions.

1. Mix a cleaning solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
2. Pour the solution in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the patio cushions.
4. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush.
5. Rinse with the garden hose.
6. Set in the sun to dry.

Cleaning the Umbrella

If you have a table with umbrella, I recommend cleaning the umbrella first before you clean the rest of the set simply because it’s easier to work your way from top to bottom.

You will probably need a ladder or a step stool to do this. If you prefer not to use a ladder or step stool or forgot to clean your patio umbrella first, it’s perfectly fine to take the umbrella off and place it on the ground, but remember to keep it open.

If your umbrella has sticky tree sap on it, apply a small amount of mineral spirits or isopropyl rubbing alcohol before getting it wet. It’s best to dip the edge of a rag into the mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol and then wipe the sappy spots. Then use a clean cloth or sponge to rub the spot out.

1. Spray both the top and the underside of the umbrella with the garden hose.
2. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water or make a mixture of water and baking soda, then scrub the umbrella with a soft bristled brush.
3. Rinse off any remaining residue and open the umbrella completely to allow it to air dry.

Enjoy Your Clean Patio Furniture!

Great job! Your task is done. I’m sure you’re feeling rather proud of your self.  When your patio furniture is clean, you can’t help but want to spend more time outside and invite more guests over! In fact you now have a great excuse to host a barbecue and show off your deck and patio furniture to your guests.

Let the party begin!

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Cleaning your Upholstery Furniture

I know firsthand how difficult it is to clean the fabric on furniture fabric.

That piece of furniture means something to you. Maybe it is brand spankin’ new, or not so new but was an investment at the time you purchased it, or perhaps it is an antique that you are holding on to because it has sentimental value.

It’s terrible to think that one silly fabric stain can destroy a valuable piece of furniture.

Spills and stains happen no matter what you do, but luckily it is possible to remove most of the grime from furniture safely and without damaging it.

Hope is not lost though! If you remember these rules when dealing with wet stains, your furniture will thank you later.

Here are my best tips to help you with the cleaning and stain removal process.

Precautions:

If your upholstery is not water resistant, stains can soak deep into the cushioning making it even harder to clean. Also, the lighter the fabric is, the harder the stain will be to get out.

1. Soak up as much as the liquid as possible.
2. Never scrub! Unless you want a huge mess, blot or dab at it to soak up the liquid.
3. Get to stains and spills as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove.
4. Only use a small amount of cleaning solution and then add more as needed.
5. Saturating the fabric with cleaning solution can ruin it. Excess liquid will embed the stain further into the fabric, or worse, cause mold and mildew to grow.

Removing Debris and Pet Hair

A hand vacuum, a regular vacuum with a crevice attachment or a lint roller will easily pick up any debris and or pet hair on your furniture.

Removing Ink Stains

Spray with hairspray and then take a napkin or paper towel and dab at the stain until the stain is removed.

Keep applying hairspray and dabbing until the stain is lifted.

Removing Blood Stains

Blood stains can be removed in a similar fashion to ink stains.

Next, take a steam cleaner filled with cold water and little bit of shampoo or dish washing liquid and begin sucking up the stain.

Using cold water is key when it comes to removing blood. Warm or hot water will cook the blood and make it just about impossible to remove completely. If a steam cleaner with cold water isn’t available, a wet cloth will suffice.

Removing Wine/Beverage Stains

Pour club soda on the stain and begin dabbing it with a cloth or paper towel. Follow up by steam cleaning the stain with cold water and a small amount of shampoo or dishwashing liquid.

Heavy Duty Stains

Pour medicinal strength hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain (hydrogen peroxide is color safe so there is no reason to worry about a bleaching effect) and then begin blotting it.

Maintaining your Upholstery Furniture

Furniture needs to be maintained on a regular schedule even when there is no stain calling your name. This may seem like a hassle, but the good news is that it is a job that does not require a lot of time.

Here are some common sense tips for keeping your furniture fabric in tip-top-shape, year round:

• Invest in water repellent or stain guard spray to protect your upholstery from future staining. Look for one that is marketed for upholstery as these won’t stain your fabric.
• Dust and vacuum your furniture frequently to prevent buildup.
• Keep your furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent the fabric from fading.
• If you will be out of town for an extended amount of time, put a dust cloth over your furniture to prevent dust from infiltrating the fabric fibers while you are away.

If you remember all of my tips, the life of your upholstered furniture will be prolonged. Happy cleaning!

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How To Clean and Maintain Teak

Tectona grandis, better known as the teak tree, is native to South East Asia. If you have done any research on indoor and outdoor wood furniture, you may have noticed that those made out of teak are extremely expensive compared to other types.

Teak is expensive because it is one of the most sought after woods in the world. The demand for teak furniture as well as other objects made from the teak tree is extremely high, yet the supply of this beautiful wood has been steadily decreasing over the years.

Now that you know why teak wood is so expensive, let me explain to you why you should invest in furniture made from it, and how to clean any teak furniture you may have.

Teak is a Superior Wood

Despite its obvious beauty, the teak tree is known for being extremely durable, even in the most extreme weather. This is especially true when you own furniture made from the heartwood of a teak tree, compared to the sapwood.

Teak contains natural oils that repel water and insects and is impervious to decay. With that in mind, it’s obvious why teak furnitue is in such a favorable choice!

Even though teak wood is very high quality and contains natural oils, your furniture will sometimes need to be cleaned. Cleaning and oiling your teak will bring out its unique characteristics and restore it to it natural state.

It is an important process and is well worth the time because it will protect your furniture and to help the item to last longer.

Prior to Cleaning

Before cleaning your teak furniture, consider the following:

• First, check the owner’s manual, if your teak furniture came with one. Some teak furniture requires a specific process of cleaning to maintain it properly.
• If allowed to weather, teak will have a silvery gray color to it, which is what many people are striving for with their outdoor furniture. If you want this, allow the product to age properly before you cleaning it.
• In many cases, you will want to keep the natural brown to dark gold color of the teak. To do this, you will need to oil the teak annually. Doing this from the start will help you to maintain the natural honey tones of the wood.

How to Clean Teak

Cleaning teak wood is an easy process. Teak must be completely clean prior to oiling it or it could stain after oiling.

Quick Cleaning

Simply use a soft cloth and a solution of warm water with a few drops of mild dish detergent in it. You can clean off most debris in this manner. If you have not been cleaning your teak as you should, it may take a bit of extra elbow grease to get rid of stains.

Heavy Duty Cleaning

Teak that has mold and mildew can be cleaned with T.S.P. (Tri-Sodium Phosphate). TSP is a cleaning product available as a powder in most home improvement stores.

To clean it quickly, assemble:

1. Bucket
2. Scrub-brush (Not a wire brush)
3. Rubber gloves

Make your cleaning solution following the TSP instructions. Dip the scrub brush in the cleaner and begin scrubbing the wood. It may take 10 or 15 minutes to get the teak clean. As long as you are using a regular plastic scrub brush the teak won’t scratch. Rinse the teak completely with clean water to remove the T.S.P.

Oiling Teak

Oiling helps to preserve teaks finish and repels future staining from dirt, mold and mildew. You will need to invest in a teak oil, which can be found in most home improvement stores. Teak oil is usually linseed or tung oil, combined with resin.

• Linseed oil is the less expensive option and make your teak slightly darker than its natural color.
• Tung oil is more expensive, but it keeps the color true and is more water resistant than linseed oil.

Teak oil will form a protective layer over your wood and helps your teak to continue repelling water. Always use common sense when oiling your teak furniture. Teak that hasn’t been taken care of will obviously need more oil than teak that is in good condition.

• Oil is applied using a paint brush and takes several coats. The oil will be absorbed quickly into the wood when you start painting it on.
• You will need to apply several coats of teak oil, allowing the oil to absorb completely in the wood before applying the next coat.
• Some people wait twenty four hours before applying the next coat of teak oil, but one hour is generally sufficient.
• Depending on how “dry” the teak is, it may take three to four coats of oil. As the wood becomes saturated with the oil, it will stay on top of the surface of the teak. This usually happens about the second or third coating of oil.
• Wipe off any excess oil with a cleaning rag. Keep applying the oil and wiping up the excess until the wood no longer absorbs further oil.

The result should be beautiful teak with no shiny spots, just a matte finish.

It may seem like a lot of work, but maintaining your teak furniture is well worth the effort. Cleaning and oiling teak will prolong its life, which means you will rarely have to replace it.

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Tips for Cleaning Outdoor Wicker Furniture.

How to Clean Outdoor Wicker Furniture

Many people are surprised when they find out wicker isn’t a material, but rather a weaving process. Wicker items can be made up of many different materials, such as bamboo, willow branches, grasses or resin (which resembles plastic). However, the most common material used to weave wicker furniture is rattan since it is highly durable.

You might be a little hesitant about cleaning wicker as the tight weave of the wicker makes cleaning time consuming and challenging but don’t abandon your furniture to the elements. A little maintenance and regular cleaning will keep it looking great for years to come.

Maintaining Wicker Furniture

Wicker requires maintenance and upkeep to stay in tip-top shape. Here are some tips to help you out:

1. As dust and debris can accumulate on outdoor wicker furniture, it’s important to clean it on a regular basis. Use a soft broom, a soft brush, a paint brush, a can of compressed air, a toothbrush or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. This will help before debris has a chance to work into the weave of the wicker furniture.
2. Wicker furniture is best if used indoors but when used outdoors, it’s best if it is under a covered area to protect it from the elements such as rain, sunlight, extreme temperature changes, etc. Keeping it covered when not in use will keep it clean and free from damage.
3. It is recommended to dust wicker furniture regularly. It will make cleaning much easier and extend the life of the wicker as dust will build up and make the wicker feel almost sticky. You can remove dust easily by wiping wicker with a slightly damp cloth.
4. Check wicker furniture periodically for signs of damage, such as loose weaves or broken strands. Repair any minor damage to prevent it from worsening.
5. Avoid excessive moisture. Do not place wicker on wet surfaces. Do not leave in areas with high humidity. If any part of the wicker gets wet, wipe it dry to prevent mold or mildew growth.
6. When cleaning wicker furniture with any type of liquids, work in small sections at a time so you can dry as you go (you can also use a fan to help with the drying process). It is also a good idea to not sit on the piece until it is completely dry as you do not want the wicker to sag.

Removing Dirt and Grime from Wicker

When wicker has been neglected for a while, you will need to spend a bit more time in order to get the item clean. Take care not to soak wicker with water as this can cause warping.

1. First, remove dirt by vacuuming between the cracks and crevices with a soft brush attachment. If necessary, use tweezers, a toothbrush or a dry paint brush to get to the places your vacuum can’t get clean.

2. Once the dirt is removed from wicker, use warm soapy water; using either a mild detergent or dish soap to clean the grime, and begin to gently clean the wicker with a soft cloth or sponge.

3. Pay attention to stains and heavily soiled areas. If necessary, use a toothbrush or a paint brush to get into tight areas.

Removing Mold and Mildew from Wicker

Humidity, dampness and rain can cause mold and mildew on wicker furniture. If you need to remove mold or mildew follow the instructions below. Wear gloves, protective eye wear and a face mask to avoid any irritations. When cleaning to do not apply excessive amounts of pressure and do not scrub too hard.

1. From the surface of the wicker, brush off what mold or mildew you can using a soft bristled brush.
2. Either mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water or a mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Do not mix bleach and vinegar together. Either of these are quite effective at killing mold and mildew.
3. Place some of the mix in a spray bottle then spray the affected areas and let sit about 10 minutes.
4. Use a sponge, toothbrush or soft bristled brushed to gently clean the areas with mold or mildew.
5. Make sure to rinse your furniture thoroughly with fresh clean water to remove all traces of the cleaning solution.
6. Run a dry towel over the surface to remove remaining traces of water.

Keep in mind that if mold and mildew cover large areas of the wicker furniture, you may need to treat it several times before it is fully removed.

Removing Stains from Wicker Furniture

Removing stains from wicker can be a challenge if left to sit for any period of time, so be sure to act quickly.

1. Wipe up stains as soon as they happen. Again, avoid rubbing to hard to prevent damage.
2. In a bowl of warm water, mix in a mild dish detergent or dish soap.
3. Dab the stained area with the warm soapy water.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Dry thoroughly.
6. Repeat if necessary.

For tough stains, try using the same bleach or vinegar solution used for removing mold and mildew.

Retouching, Repainting, Refinishing Wicker Furniture

If you’ve tried cleaning your wicker furniture and that doesn’t work to remove stains or if the painted wicker has become chipped or if the protective finish is wearing off, another option is to put a fresh coat of paint or varnish on the wicker.

Choose a paint or varnish that is suitable for the wicker furniture. If necessary, start with a primer to cover up stains and then use a paint in the color of your choice.

To keep wicker looking its best, cleaning should be done on a regular basis. A few moments spent cleaning can greatly increase the life and beauty of your wicker furniture.

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Cleaning Dirty Upholstery

Upholstered furniture is a great addition to any home. The different patterns and colors can make even the most dingy looking room look warm and inviting.

Some people might shy away from buying upholstered furniture, or they may go as far as throwing away their upholstered furniture once it becomes dirty. A word of advice: do not, I repeat, DO NOT be one of those people!

Cleaning upholstery is not as difficult as one might think, and it is most definitely cheaper than going out and buying something to replace the perfectly fine piece of furniture you have right now!

Keeping this in mind, it is important to know how to clean your upholstered furniture. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is worthless once a muddy shoe print or drop of blood mars your upholstery.

Stay calm and follow my easy cleaning tips to make your upholstery looking better than ever.

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Some people prefer to buy a cleaning formula to wash the upholstery on their furniture, while others prefer to mix their own.

Either is fine and will work, but make sure to test the cleaning solution before fully committing to it. If you don’t, there is a possibility your upholstery will be ruined.

When using a prepackaged cleaning solution, be sure to follow the directions carefully. Using the wrong formula in the wrong manner can ruin your furniture.

Making your own solution is easy. Just mix the following with a blender until it forms a stiff sudsy foam (similar to meringue):

• 1/4 cup of your favorite laundry detergent
• One cup warm water

Vacuum First

There’s no point in cleaning your upholstery until you have removed all of the dust, dirt and pet hair that has accumulated in and on it over the years.

If your furniture doesn’t have cushions, vacuum as much of the fabric as you can.

If your furniture has cushions, remove and vacuum them. Then vacuum out all of the debris that have been shoved down the sides of the cushions.

Utilize your vacuums different attachments, such as the crevice attachment, to get into those hard to reach places.

Make sure you vacuum every part of the furniture. Pay special attention to the backs, sides, arms, bottoms, etc. that are often overlooked so that you can be positive there will be nothing left behind when you begin to clean your upholstery.

Dab Your Cleaning Solution on the Stain

Once you have tested your cleaning solution on a hidden spot on your furniture for blotching, fading or shrinkage and deem it safe to use, you can begin the actual cleaning process.

Get a spoonful of your sudsy cleaning solution and dab onto the upholstery. Begin blotting at the stain with a soft cotton rag. It shouldn’t take long to begin seeing dirt accumulating in the suds and on the rag.

Rinse and Repeat

Take a wet (but not drenched) washcloth and wipe away the dirty suds. Rinse out the wash cloth afterwards and repeat the cleaning process described above.

You may have to do this several times on very dirty or stained pieces.

Let the Upholstery Dry Completely

Once you have completed the cleaning process, let your upholstered furniture dry overnight. Once dry, vacuum the dried furniture one last time to get up any lifted dirt or dust from the cleaning solution.

Now Relax

Now, sit back and enjoy the look and smell of your newly cleaned upholstered furniture.

While it is true that cleaning upholstery takes some time, it really isn’t a difficult job. Besides, one look at your upholstery and you will be glad you took the time to bring it back to its original beauty.

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Removing Stains and Polishing Wood Furniture

Wood is an investment. If you buy any wood furniture for your home, you are likely investing a small fortune. The quality, materials, style, toughness, and the craftsmanship make it a worthy purchase, not matter if it’s a new piece or old. For that reason, taking care of your wood is essential.

Tender loving care makes wooden furniture last well beyond its years. For the most part, wood furniture takes care of itself and just needs dusting but there may be times when a good polishing is in order to revive it’s appearance and remove any stains.

I have some easy and effective tips on how to care for and protect your wood furniture from stains. If you choose to follow them, your furniture’s natural beauty will be restored and will stay beautiful longer than ever.

How to Polish Wood

Polishing wood furniture makes a piece shine that you’re proud to showoff and it can also help extend the life of the piece.

If there is a build up of wax or you just found a spectacular piece of furniture at a sale, you should first remove the old wax by using a non alkaline soap mixed with water, for instance you could try 1/4 cup Murphy Oil Soap to 1 gallon water, before giving it a new coat of polish.

When you’re ready to polish your wood piece, select a high quality furniture polish.

How Often do you Polish Wood Pieces?

Polishing your furniture can be done weekly, especially if the piece is used often as with each cleaning, wipe down or scrubbing, it can remove polish. Another option would be for you to wax your furniture with a paste style wax every six to twelve months as needed.

Types of Polish

Furniture polish can be found in home improvement stores, but hold off on buying one. You need to know the type of wood and the color of the wood before you polish your wood furniture.

Dark Wood

If you have dark wood furnishings, then you will want to find a wood or shoe polish that will match the lightest shade of the finish. If your furniture is scratched, you can also use Walnut or Brazil nut meat. Rub it in the direction of the scratch.

Cherry Wood

Woods that have a cherry finish need a bit of a different solution. You can use a wood or shoe polish that has the right color of red. If there is a scratch that is noticeable, consider getting some darkened iodine and use a cotton swab to put it onto the stain to hide it. Make sure that the colors match well here.

Light Woods

You can use wood or shoe polish to help you to cover light wood colored stains. You can also use darkened iodine that is diluted by 50% with isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

Note: If you use the shoe polish, it only takes a little to get the job done. All you need is a small amount of a wax shoe polish then buff it in with a soft cloth.

There are a variety of brands that come in colors for the wood you have. Old English, Minwax, Howard Feed and Wax are just a few to look into.

Removing Stains from Wood Furniture

Wood furniture often is more susceptible to stains because it will absorb the stain quickly, which means you need to work quickly and carefully to treat these stains in order to protect your wood in the long run.

If you do not feel you trust a cleaning method, consider having the furniture refinished by a professional.

No matter what treatment you use, you should always test the treatment on a hidden spot on the furniture to make sure that it will not ruin your furniture.

Cleaning Water Marks

Water marks happen when a glass is left to sit on a piece of furniture when a coaster is not used. What you will see is a cloudy white or light colored ring. Most often, it is not the wood that is damaged but the wax or finish. If you see a dark colored ring, that could mean that it has reached the wood and the piece may have to be refinished.

Iron the Stain Out

1. Use a clean cotton cloth and place it over the stain.
2. Apply a warm iron (low setting should be good enough) to the cloth. Just run the heated iron over the water mark for about 3 to 5 seconds.
3. Lift the cloth to check your progress and repeat if needed.

This method can also work if you have a large cloudy white area that may have been left behind from hot dishes if a pot holder wasn’t used.

White Toothpaste

You can also use white (non-gel) toothpaste as another option for removing water marks.

1. Apply a little toothpaste to a clean rag.
2. Gently rub onto the stained area.Try and stick to just the water mark area.
3. Wipe away any remaining toothpaste when finished.

Cigarette Burns

Use a scratch concealing polish working it into the grain.

Heat Marks

Run along the grain. Use a dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth that is dampened.

Paint Marks

If you’ve been painting and after the fact notice you’ve gotten paint spatters on wood and it’s fresh, you can almost always remove the paint by using a damp cloth and warm water.

If the paint is latex and has dried try carefully rubbing with isopropyl alcohol. It will take some time but this could work for you. It may even soften it a bit so you can use something like a putty knife to remove the spatters.

If the paint is an oil based paint, you can try just a bit of mineral spirits but not too much as it could damage the wood.

Again, if you are unsure about trying any of these methods, call in a professional.

Make sure to properly wax or polish the furniture after you have cleaned and removed any stains.

There you go. We’ve gone over some of the most common stains and how to choose the correct polish for your wood furniture.

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Cleaning Wicker Furniture

You can successfully clean your wicker furniture – no matter if it is indoor wicker or outdoor wicker, there are several things you can do to help get a better looking piece of furniture.

Some people even shy away from purchasing this type of furniture because of how hard they think it is to clean. Wicker is very versatile. It can be used throughout the home and outdoors. It is beautiful and functional.

Don’t deprive yourself from it because of how it needs to be cleaned. Let’s make it simpler for you. And, let’s make sure that you realize how beneficial it can be to you.

Assemble Your Tools

Get organized first. You will need some tools to help you including:

• Toothbrush
• Paint brush. Cut the bristles about half way down from the end.
• A bristle brush, small with medium stiff bristles.
• A dowel that you will sharpen like a pencil

Cleaning Indoor Wicker Furniture

• First remove dust from the furniture by vacuuming it with a dust attachment. A good quality vacuum will suck quite a bit of the dust from it instantly making it look better.
• Make a solution to clean it with. This solution should be two tablespoons of ammonia for each gallon of water that you use. You do not need any harsh chemicals.
• Keep the amount of water that you use to a minimum. To clean it, put the solution into a bucket and then wash as you go. Do not drench the furniture in the water as this can damage it. You can rinse the wicker off with a hose if you choose too, but dry it quickly with absorbent cotton towels or cloths.
• If the wicker gets too wet, it is going to get much too limp to use. The good news is that it will still dry in the right manner if allowed to do so quickly. If your furniture does get really wet, you will need to dry it off as soon as possible. But, make sure that you do not weaken or stress the strand length. If you do, the furniture will dry to improper size and will be distorted.

Cleaning Outdoor Wicker Furniture

Probably the worst pieces of furniture to clean are those that are outdoors. But, you can do it. You will first want to tip the furniture on its side to clean it. Make sure the tighter weave is to the top. That way, the moisture will run down to the looser end which makes it easier to clean up.

Keep the weave straight when cleaning. Keep the spacing the same when you are cleaning it or it will shrink. This will cause the piece to be weaker.

Regular Care of Wicker Furniture

Now it’s time to learn how to take care of and maintain wicker furniture. The good thing is that it is easy to learn and easy to do. Maintaining the care of your wicker furniture will help you enjoy it a long time and even pass it down to other family members.

• Dust it. You can use a small brush or use a vacuum cleaner to do this. You should do this anytime it’s necessary.
• Clean spills quickly. Because wicker will absorb, you need to clean up anything that is spilled onto it quickly. Make sure that you wipe it with a sponge and use soapy water.
• Keep it out of the rain and direct sunlight. These elements can do great damage to the quality of the piece.
• Clean it properly. To do this, mix a basic solution of water and a couple of drops of detergent. Use a damp sponge to apply the solution to the furniture. Just do a small area at a time. Use your brush or paint brush to get into the fine cracks.
• Keep wood parts dry. Not doing so will cause them to become damaged quickly.
• Mildew. If you find that your wicker has mildew, use a solution of 50/50 bleach water and rinse completely after 5 minutes.
• Keep it dry. Wicker needs to be completely dried if it gets wet. Place it in the sun for a couple of days. Use a blow dryer on it. Keep water off of it as much as possible.
• Varnishing. You can use a varnish, shellac or lacquer on your wicker. This will spruce it up well. If your wicker has been painted, you can add a new coat if you like. Make sure to only apply a thin coat of liquid furniture wax so it will look good and have a nice glossy finish.

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Tips for Cleaning Upholstered Furniture.

Upholstery Cleaning and Stain Removal Tips

If you have a sofa, chair, loveseat, or some other type of upholstered furniture that is in good condition but just dirty, these upholstery cleaning tips will save you money and time shopping for new furniture.

Considering that people sit on it and sometimes our pets lounge on it, it’s no wonder upholstered furniture gets dirty. Even simple aged furniture can benefit from a good cleaning. When you clean an existing piece of furniture you might just be totally amazed at how incredible it looks when you’re finished.

The key with upholstered furniture is choosing the appropriate type of cleaning method. For example, if you have an antique chair that is hand embroidered then it would require a different cleaning technique than a sofa that was store bought.

In this article, we will walk you through several upholstery cleaning tips and remember with any stain, some stains can be a bit tricky, but definitely not impossible with the right cleaning approach.

Getting Upholstery Stains Out

Maintaining a clean home is part of having a happy home where people enjoy living. With furniture, upholstery is just one aspect but an important one. Think about all the times people have eaten on the sofa, dropping bits of food or drink that leave stains. Then you have the dirty feet, dirty clothing, and just everyday wear and tear that can leave upholstery looking dirty and drab. As you are about to discover, getting those stains out does not have to be painful.

The most important thing to remember when cleaning upholstery is to consider the fabric. If you are unsure, you can check with the manufacturer’s information.

Other things to keep in mind are:

• As with any stain, the sooner you address the stain, the better chances are of completely removing it.
• Before you start cleaning a large stain, we recommend you work first on an inconspicuous area to ensure no discoloration or damage is done.
• Always blot stains, never rub the stain as this can cause the stain to spread.
• Avoid harsh chemicals.

With that done, the following are a few of the more common stains found on upholstery and methods for removing them.

Removing Butter Stains from Upholstery

The family sits around to watch a movie and in comes the hot, buttered popcorn. Although everyone is careful, pieces can fall on the furniture, you don’t notice it and now you have a grease stain. Thank goodness a few pieces of popcorn doesn’t leave a big mess behind.

• Apply original blue Dawn dish soap to the stain. Just a drop will do for this small stain.
• With a wet; not soaking or dripping, clean cloth, gently blot the dish soap over the stain.
• With a clean section of the cloth, use water only to wipe any soapy residue away.
• Cover and let dry.

Cleaning Oily Melted Cheese Stains

Melted cheese is another food product that we’ve spilled on furniture. Again, things like nachos are a favorite snack food but the cheese will leave stains behind.

For cleaning up the cheese:

• First, carefully lift any melted cheese you can
• Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent with 2 cups cool water
• With a clean cloth, blot the cheese stain with the cleaning mixture
• Repeat until the cheese stain is removed
• Finally, blot the stain with clean water to remove any cleaning solution
• Cover with a clean cloth until the area is dry

Removing Ink Stains

The key with any ink stain is to be patient and persistent, as ink stains can be stubborn. Just make sure you only blot. Rubbing could cause the ink stain worsen. And remember, test in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it does not pull any color from the item.

Here is an article to look at for getting rid of ink stains.

• Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.
• Blot the stain with the cotton swab, continuously use a clean piece of the swab.
• Continue this process until the ink is removed.
• Blot the area with a clean white towel or paper towel to dry the area.
• Use a clean white rag dipped in cool water and blot the area to remove any residue.
• Cover with a towel until dry.

Cleaning Coffee Stains from Upholstery

Sipping coffee on an upholstered chair or sofa is an everyday occurrence. To get rid of a coffee stain, mix one teaspoon of a mild, pH balanced detergent with one cup of warm water, then blot from the outside in.

Follow this with blotting the stain with a mixture of one-third cup white vinegar with two-thirds cup water. When finished, use a clean, white towel to absorb any excess, allow the area to dry.

Regular cleaning to keep your upholstery looking and smelling clean is essential. Typically, you can use your regular vacuum cleaner with the appropriate attachment to keep it clean. Just keeping the dust off will help your furniture last much longer. With this, you can enjoy your favorite sofa or chair without having to spend hard-earned money on new furniture.

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