Care of Solid Wood Tables

My mom just got her table refinished for Thanksgiving due to the wear and tear over the years. We wanted to share some ideas we learned with you about how to keep your table in great shape. If cared for properly, your solid hardwood table can give you a lifetime of service and beauty. Here are several care tips that will enhance your solid hardwood table investment:

PLACE your table away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating ducts.

POSITION table out of direct sunlight or adjust blinds to avoid hour after hour of direct sunlight.

CONTROL humidity to 40%-45%. In winter use a humidifier, in summer use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.

USE coasters with non-scratching bottoms.

USE padding under all sharp, hot, or cold objects.

STORE table leaves in close proximity to table or in the same humidity, avoid storing leaves in damp basements where the leaves may swell.

AVOID using nail polish remover, alcohol, and other solvents near or on table.

ASK your retailer about manufacturer-provided finishes that resist damage from harmful liquids and objects.

10 Rules of Housecleaning - Have a Good Laugh on Us

1. Don't vacuum too often; it weakens the carpet fibers. Say this with a serious face, and shudder delicately whenever anyone mentions Carpet Fresh.
2. If disturbed, dust bunnies cannot evolve into dust rhinos. Rename the area under the couch "The Galapagos Islands," and claim an ecological exemption.
3. Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 5, and leave it alone.
4. Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look affronted and exclaim, "What? And spoil the mood?"
5. In a pinch, you can always claim that the haphazard tower of unread magazines and newspapers next to your chair provides the valuable Feng Shui aspect of a tiger, thereby reducing your vulnerability. Roll your eyes when you say this.
6. Explain away the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children.
7. If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our Den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed, and the shots are SO expensive."
8. If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "THIS is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."
9. Don't bother repainting. Simply scribble lightly over a dirty wall with an assortment of crayons, and try to muster a glint of tears as you say, "Junior did this the week before that unspeakable accident. I haven't had the heart to clean it."
10. Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself onto the couch, and sigh, "I clean and I clean, and I still don't get anywhere."

3 Easy Steps to Having a Drop-by-at-any-time Clean House:

1. Having everything in its place goes a long way. Always clean your kitchen after every meal. Put dirty clothes right into hampers, make your bed each morning as part of your routine. Enroll the rest of the family to keep things cleaned up after themselves. Keeping up is easier than letting things go and feeling overwhelmed by it all. I have an aunt with a gorgeous home who isn’t the world’s best housekeeper (she doesn’t have maids, either), but her house always looks amazing because it is always tidy. You have to take a second look to notice the dust & dirt.

2. If you are a clean nut, like me, and need all your surfaces clean, I have a neat trick for you. Daily, or as often as you see the need, quickly flick a feather duster over all the surfaces that show dust (usually dark furniture). Then take a dry terry cloth, and spray it with disinfectant so that it is barely damp. Wipe bathroom counters, sinks, and even spots on mirrors and glass with this cloth. This is just a quick clean for in-between the full cleanings. If your toilets are dirty, go ahead and clean them. They don’t take long, and it is nice to have clean toilets for guests! :)

3. Since you received this newsletter, you are already doing this step: Make sure your entire home is fully cleaned on a weekly basis, and rotate rooms for deep cleaning. This important step makes keeping up in-between full cleanings a snap! If you have hired us to clean every other week or monthly, then you will want to do the full cleaning yourself on the off weeks, for the very best in-between cleaning results.