Furniture Care
The Right Choice
Congratulations! You have made the right choice by purchasing one of the finest pieces of furniture for your nursery and home by M Design Village. We offer these furniture care tips so that you can enjoy the lasting beauty and performance of your new furniture. This useful information contained herein will help you better understand how wood behaves under different weather conditions and how best you can care for your furniture to maintain its looks and preserve its structural integrity.
Nature of Wood
When first cut, wood contains more than 50% water. Moisture content is then brought down to 8-10% when it is prepared for furniture construction. Wood is porous and reacts to its environment. In high humidity, it will absorb moisture and expand. When the humidity is low, it will lose moisture and contract. It is essential that humidity levels in the room be controlled for the wood to remain as stable as possible.
The ideal temperature for any fine wood furniture is between 65 and 70 degrees. And a relative humidity between 35-40%. Wood placed outside of these limits can and will shrink or expand. Over time it may develop small cracks which are not manufacturing or structural defects. These are the signs that wood is adjusting to its environment.
Furniture Cleaning
Always dust before you clean and clean before you polish. Dusting is as important as polishing. Dust particles are much like cut glass. They have many sides, are sharp, and can damage finishes. Dusting should be done weekly, more often when windows are open.
Dust frequently with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. DO NOT use commercial waxes or polishes. To remove accumulated dust or old furniture wax build-up, use a soft, lint-free cloth which has been dampened in a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Dry thoroughly using a clean, lint-free cloth and then apply furniture polish. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the wood surface. Apply cleaner to a cloth and then rub back and forth along the grain. We recommend polishes that do NOT contain silicone or wax.
Most furniture retailers, home improvement chains, home specialty stores, and some supermarkets offer these products.
Quick Tips
Here are a few quick tips that will help your furniture to last a lifetime
- Sharp clothing articles like belt buckles and zippers WILL damage your furniture if they rub against it. Be especially careful when getting close to the crib or dresser to avoid damaging your furniture.
- Special finishes are used to make this furniture safe for your baby. These finishes are more delicate than finishes used in adult furniture and require careful maintenance.
- Dust furniture frequently with a lint-free damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
- Do not expose furniture to direct sunlight. Extreme changes in temperature or moisture can damage the furniture and can cause the finish to fade.
- Avoid placing your furniture in front of or over heating or air conditioning vents.
- Be careful not to place plastic materials (place mats, lamp bases, notebooks, etc.) on your furniture. Certain plastics have ingredients that may react with and damage the finish.
- When using a vinyl changing pad with your furniture, use a protective cloth under the changing pad to protect from scratching and damaging the finish. The changing pad belts can also scratch the finish if placed under the pad.
- Wipe up spills promptly. Water left over a prolonged period of time will cause white spots in the finish, and alcohol, perfume, after-shave and medicines can cause severe damage to the finish. Beware of urine spills on furniture as this may cause discoloration.
- Use caution when using a vaporizer. Moisture is harmful to the finish. The vapor stream should always be aimed away from any furniture item.
- Use a felt mat (not plastic) to protect furniture. Allow the surface to breath by rotating the lamps and other accessories.
- Lift objects from the top surface rather than dragging them across the finish when moving them.