Care & Maintenance:

Wood is natural substance, part of the earth’s living system. It react to extreme environmental changes. Covering it like a skin is a hard, repellent sealer – the finish. It’s tough, but still vulnerable to sunlight, heat humidity, liquids and abrasives, much as the human skin is sensitive to environmental hazards. To enjoy your new Andrews Furniture follow these suggestions.

Humidity & Temperature:

The porous nature of wood allows water or vapor to move through it with devastating speed. When humidity is joined by temperatures extremes, potential harm is intensified. The natural tendency for wood to swell or shrink with humidity changes created the common problem of doors sticking in the summer, while swinging free in winter. Too much variation to quickly will not give the wood time to adjust.

Moving from one area of the country to another, such as from the humid Gulf to the arid Southwest, you may need to have a cabinet maker adjust doors and drawers.

Avoid localized heat damage from coffee pots, casserole dishes or irons placed directly on the finished surface. Utilize pads, trivets, and coasters to protect your furniture surface.

Damage from temperature and humidity will show in a swollen joint, hairline cracks, blistering or buckling of the finish. Avoid placing your New Andrews Furniture wood item near a heat or air conditioning outlet. This exposes it to temperature variations that create problems.

Direct sunlight can break down chemical components of furniture finish. Steady or prolonged exposure can result in “sunburned” furniture, with aging in the form of hairline cracks, called crazing or checking. Some wood finishes can fade, bleached out by the sun. Light woods can even darken tanning them beyond their original hue.

Keep your furniture protected by arranging pieces out of direct sunlight. Draw shades, blinds, draperies or curtains during peak hours, or install tinted windows. Lamps and accessories should be periodically rearranged to prevent spot bleaching.

Other Hazards for Wood

Open Windows: Cold winds, rain and humidity can slip through windows, especially open ones, and damage your wood pieces. Place them away from windows or protect them with sealed panes or draperies.

Liquids: If water is allowed to sit on your furniture, it can break down your factory finish, leaving a white mark. If it soaks through the wood, it can swell or stain the grain or warp and delaminate the veneer. Some liquids such as alcohol, nail polish or perfume can dissolve the furniture finish on contact, requiring professional repairs. Guard your furniture your placing a barrier against spills and water condensation with coasters, cosmetic trays and saucers beneath potted plants.

Alcohol: Cocktails are not the only alcohol containing liquid that comes into contact with furniture. Perfumes, medicines, cologne, aftershave and other products are alcohol based and will dissolve your furniture finish on contact. Let spills dry for 24 hours without attempting to blot the liquid up. Large spots may require expert repair.

Plastic Materials: If you’ve ever pulled a plastic notebook up to find its face printed on the counter, you have experienced “plastcizer migration”. Ingredients that make plastic pliable also make it dangerous to furniture. A chemical reaction from plastic tablecloths, placemats, camera cases or notebooks can stain or darken the finish. The runner feet on appliances, trivets, lamps and calculators can leave permanent scars on your table or dresser.

Candle Wax: Harden fresh drippings with a plastic covered ice cube. Then attempt to pop it up with a credit card or non stick spatula. Remove any residue with furniture polish or mineral spirits.

Food Stains: Foods such as butter, mayonnaise, ketchup and juices can leave mild penetrating stains. Wipe spills immediately and recolor after 24 hours.

Paints: For fresh spills, wipe a water based paint up with a water moistened cloth. Allow oil based paint to dry for 24 hours. Then push gently against it with a plastic credit card or non stick spatula. It should pop up. Try this method on dried water based paints as well. Conceal any oil paint residue with linseed oil, allowing it to soak into the spot to loosen the paint. Then wipe with a cloth moistened with linseed oil.

Burns: If a color method of covering the damage fails to cover the burn marks, the wood itself may be charred. Contact a repair professional.

Dents: Please use expert repair to correct deep dents. Any home repair treatment can further damage your wood furniture unless extreme caution is exercised.