Amish Furniture
Wood Care Instructions
 Mature hardwoods supply the nation, and much of the world, with
timber used for everything from railroad ties to quality furnishings.
U.S. hardwoods are coveted the world over for their warmth and lasting
beauty in furniture, cabinetry, millwork and flooring. In finished products,
hardwoods are the purest expression of nature. They are not synthetic
nor are they engineered. Their beauty is not skin deep, And, thanks to
responsible stewardship of America's hardwood forestlands, their supply
is abundant and perpetually renewing.
Hardwoods are such broad-leafed trees as oak
and walnut, cherry and maple, hickory and poplar, and dozens of other species. Each autumn their
green leaves burst into brilliant symphonies of amber, orange, magenta,
and thousands of hues in between
Hardwoods grow prolifically, reaching maturity at about 80 years. When
harvested, they often begin a second life as home furnishings that we
can cherish for generations
Just as each tree is different from the next, so, too are hardwood products
individually unique. Hardwoods are characterized by an infinite variety
of grains and distinctive textures. Trees grow limbs that fall off as
the tree matures. What remains is a knot on the hardwood surface. These
natural markings add character to the woods appearance and have absolutely
no effect on the wood's durability and stability
 Care of Solid
Hardwood Tables
With
proper care your solid hardwood table can provide years of pleasure for
your family. Here are some tips to be sure you get the most from your table
• Maintain
a humidity-controlled environment. Your home should be kept in the 35-45%
humidity range to prevent warping and cracking. Failure to do so may void your warranty.
• Keep table out of reach of direct continued sunlight and away from heat
sources such as furnace ducts, radiators and fireplaces.
• Use coasters and trivets with non-scratching bottoms underneath glasses
and serving dishes placed on the table.
• Store table leaves in or close to the table to maintain consistent environmental
conditions.
• Avoid placing sharp objects that could scratch the surface directly
on the table.
• Avoid
the use of nail polish remover, alcohol or other solvents near table.
•
Dust
table often and carefully with a soft cloth following the grain pattern
or remove abrasive dust particles.
•
Periodically
clean table with a mild, non-alkaline soap and water using a soft sponge
or cloth. Dry immediately with soft cloth and buff lightly following
wood grains.
•
Avoid
polish that contains and silicone's. Ask your retailer to recommend a
polish or wax
Table Repair
The following
is a list of common problems and solutions to help maintain your
table's appearance. Always test these solutions in small, out of
sight sections to be sure the finish will not be harmed
• Cigarette Burns: Minor burns can be fixed by rubbing with a paste of
linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the grain until the burn disappears.
• Heat Marks: Rub along the grain with a dry steel wool soap pad, extra
fine (0000) steel wool or cloth dampened with camphorated oil or mineral
spirits.
• Milk
or Alcohol: Rub in a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with
the grain, substituting pumice for dull finishes.
• Nail
Polish: Blot out the spill immediately. Then rub with fine steel wood
(0) dipped in Guardsman
Furniture Polish. Wipe dry.
• Paint: If fresh, remove latex pain with water and oil based mineral
spirits. If dry, soak spot in boiled linseed oil, wait until soft and
carefully remove with putty knife or cloth dampened with boiled linseed
oil. Remove residue by rubbing along the grain with a paste of linseed
oil and rottenstone. Wipe dry.
•
Sticking Paper: Dampen the paper with salad oil, wait five minutes and
rub along the grain with extra fine (0000) steel wool dipped in mineral
spirits.
• Water Marks: Rings are often in the wax, not in the finish. Cover the
ring with a clean thick blotter and press down with a warm iron. Repeat
as needed. Or rub with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste, wipe
dry.
• White Marks: Rub with cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and
lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid,
followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry.
• Wax or Gum: Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in a
cloth against it. Pry off with fingernail. Rub the area with extra fine
(0000) steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry. Shown below is what's known as a "humidity gap". This is a naturally occurring issue with all solid wood furniture. As Humidity levels drop, wood shrinks causing the gapping shown. As humidity levels increase, the wood will swell, minimizing the gap. If you have solid wood furniture in your home, you must insure 35-45% humidity is maintained during winter months. 
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