Furniture Care

Caring for Your Dining Room Table

Ensure your table looks its best when the door bell rings—and after the guests have gone home!

Because it is naturally abrasive, dust is probably wood furniture’s biggest enemy, as it leaves microscopic scratches that dull a finish over time.  Guardsman Revitalising Wood Polishes clean and renew, leaving a rich, low-lustre shine, but it’s also important to dust regularly—even when it’s not time to polish! Weekly dusting prevents the build-up of dust that can result in fine scratches when everyday objects come into contact with the surface. All smooth surfaces should be dusted regularly—furniture, cabinets, walls, floors, electronics, appliances, and even leather furniture.  Guardsman’s Ultimate Dusting Cloth is specially treated to pick up and hold onto dust without the need for dusting sprays.  Soft and 100% cotton, it’s washable and reusable—and leaves no lint or dust-attracting residue!  For best results when dusting, always wipe in the direction of the wood grain.

Entertaining Can Be Tough on Wood Dining Furniture

Wood furniture isn’t just for admiring—it’s meant to be used for family and guests.  But entertaining also means accidents—water rings from a glass, or heat marks from a hot dish or a pizza box—that can leave your furniture looking abused.  When the unexpected happens, Guardsman’s reusable Water Ring and Mark Remover easily eliminates minor blemishes from many wood surfaces including white rings, and other marks and stains caused by water, heat, alcohol, cosmetics, and paint.

A Few Easy tips to Keep your Dining Table Looking Great All Year

Scratches—To avoid scratches, never slide anything (vases, plates, serving dishes, etc.) across a wood surface.  Light surface nicks and scratches can be treated with Guardsman Liquid Scratch Cover or Wood Touch-Up Markers. Guardsman Wood Filler Sticks quickly repair scratches and blemishes that go beyond the surface and require filling and won’t shrink, dry out, discolour, or rub off, but deep scratches can be costly—even requiring professional restoration.

Liquids—Wipe up spills immediately, and check to be sure liquid hasn’t seeped under any objects, such as a vase, where it can “pool” and dry, causing damage to the finish.

Use linen or cotton tablecloths & placemats—Vinyl and plastic materials can damage some wood finishes or leave residues behind that build up on the surface of your furniture.  Over time, these materials can make surfaces sticky and cause discolouration.

Centrepieces—Use cork or felt pads under decorative objects, and swap them out several times a year.