Furniture Care Tips
To tighten up wicker seats that have sagged, spray them with water or diluted lemon oil, then set them in the sun to dry. Oil the wicker for protection after it dries thoroughly.
To tighten loose knobs on furniture, unscrew the knob and coat the screw with clear fingernail polish. Then reattach the knobs and let the polish harden.
If the hole for a knob's screw becomes too large, remove the knob, and pack the hole with toothpicks and wood glue. Wipe off all extra glue with a damp rag before it dries. After the glue is dry, trim off the ends of any toothpicks that stick out of the hole. Drill a new hole in the wood, and screw the knob back on.
Make a drawer slide like new again by rubbing the end of a candle or a bar of soap along the sides of the drawer.
When a drawer has expanded due to moisture, drying it in the sun will shrink it back down.
If one leg on a piece of furniture is too short or your floor is just too crooked, glue a button under the bottom of the one leg.
To remove white water marks from wood furniture, rub the spot gently with white toothpaste on a damp cloth.
Stubborn furniture rings from wet glasses may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub it in with the grain, and polish.
Clean dull woodwork by rubbing it with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per quart of warm water. Buffing it with a soft, dry cloth to make the wood really shine.
Hide scratches in wood furniture with lemon juice and vegetable oil. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and oil, and rub into the scratches with a soft cloth until the scratches disappear.
Clean dirt and built-up polish from wood furniture with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, and 1 quart of warm water. Shake the mixture, apply with a soft cloth, and dry with another soft cloth.
To remove paper that is stuck on wood furniture, apply oil. Let set, then wipe off with a soft cloth.
