If you accidentally mark your leather furniture with a ball point pen, don’t be tempted to immediately start scrubbing! 

It is important that you act quickly, but don’t start scrubbing frantically. For pigmented (protected) leathers – where the ink is still fresh – just apply your normal leather cleaner to a soft cloth and rub gently. Ink does have a tendency to disperse over time, so just continue with your normal care routine and eventually you will hardly even know it was there! If the ink is older it will be more difficult to remove as it will have penetrated further into the leather.

Don’t be tempted to use hairspray! This is a tip often seen in magazines and although the hairspray may remove the ink it will also destroy the protective coating on the leather. Ink remover products will also remove the protective finish from pigmented leathers so it is best to leave this kind of job to the professionals as they will be able to re-colour and re-finish the damaged area once the ink has been removed. It is extremely difficult to remove ink from aniline and nubuck leathers and wet cleaning products should be avoided as these will usually allow the stain to penetrate even further into the leather.

If the stain is still visable you can find your local Furniture Medic business to request a FREE no obligation quotation!

Before attempting any cleaning always test the product that you intend to use in an inconspicuous place.

Two staple products that you should stock in your kitchen cupboard are ordinary soap flakes, which can be mixed with warm water.  Apply this mix by immersing a clean white cloth into the mix, wringing out and applying in a dabbing action (NEVER rub!).  When you have completed removing the mark, repeat the process with warm water only to remove the soap.  The other item you should keep in your cupboard is a clear spirit such as Vodka or polish spirit.  Use on a clean white cloth in a dabbing action – this is particularly helpful for oily stains and dry clean only fabrics.

If a hot cup has been sat on your coffee table and left behind an unsightly heat mark, you may have found that it is impossible to get rid of. Constant rubbing is likely to do more harm than good and this really is a time to call in the professionals!

It’s so easy to think that your table will be safe from harm and so many of us frantically wipe away thinking we can remove the mark ourselves.  Really, all you are doing is causing more damage.

Your table is actually victim to moisture trapped under the lacquer or finish.  This is because cups that aren’t glazed underneath are porous therefore the constant heat is feeding through the ceramic and into the finish!

It’s always better to use spray polishes on a cloth rather than directly on to a piece of furniture.

If we take the example of a side board for instance, spray your polish (ensuring that it is suitable for the surface that you are applying to) then work around the four edges of the top and then fill in the centre with overlapping strokes.

Repeat for all of the surfaces, turning your cloth and applying more polish to it as needed.  For ornate edges a soft tooth brush can be used in conjunction with the cloth.  Place the cloth over the area then tamp (strike the cloth gently) with the bristles of the tooth brush to push it into the grooves and crevices.

Reduce the damage caused by Fire and Floods to your Furniture.

Fire & water damage is often best left to the experts with many issues to overcome including the frame & contents of the upholstery as well as potentially hidden factors like mould & odours.

What can be helpful in Smoke damage is thorough vacuuming of all surfaces affected – this will reduce the potentially damaging attack by the Acids found in many types of smoke.

In water damage situations the prompt action of separating the furniture from the carpet can pay huge dividends in terms of stopping stains from furniture being absorbed into the carpet.  Likewise, water will not be absorbed into furniture legs.   This can be achieved by using tinfoil under the legs as a barrier to moisture.  If the water is deep, use plain unfinished white wood to raise the furniture out of the water.

To aid the hapless DIY’er and prevent flat pack frustration, the experts at Furniture Medic have produced their ten top tips for success when facing a jigsaw of furniture pieces:

1. Be thorough; it may seem obvious enough but many people go wrong by failing to get the basics right. First give yourself plenty of time, then start by laying all the pieces out, ensuring that all the components are present and identify which way round each individual part goes.
2. Follow the instructions – they are correct. It is amazing how many people think that they don’t need to do this.
3. Keep any protective film on door/drawer fronts until after assembly as it will prevent fine scratches occurring during construction.
4. Ensure that there is plenty of room to manoeuvre the item once it is assembled i.e. enough height to lift a wardrobe up if the instructions state the item has to be assembled flat on the floor.
5. Don’t over tighten screws as this may result in the screw protruding out the back of the furniture.
6. Have the correct recommended tools at hand.
7. Don’t over use glue supplied and allow any glue used to dry for 24 hours before using the furniture.
8. Ensure the item is level (using a spirit level) when adjusting doors.
9. When fixing items to the wall insure you avoid plumbing and electric wires.
10.  Finally, always have a spare pair of hands at the ready; you never know when you might need them especially if the item is heavy.

If, however flat pack leaves you feeling flustered, call in your local Furniture Medic who will assemble your furniture quickly,efficiently and very cost-effectively.

Get Ready for Summer – Prepare your Garden Furniture

How often should I clean my garden furniture?

• Whatever the material of your furniture, it should be protected from the elements when not in use. Ideally store it away over winter, cleaning and drying thoroughly beforehand and again in the spring when you bring it out for use. During the summer it is a good idea to tackle any stains or marks that occur straight away and generally keep it as clean as you would your indoor furniture.

How do I look after my wood furniture?

• Much of the modern furniture we see today has an oil finish to it which requires regular maintenance.  This kind of finish is not permanent.  Each time you wipe your table or chairs down, a small amount of the finish is removed.  When purchasing an item, it is best to enquire as to what type of oil it has been finished with.  In order to keep your furniture looking at its best apply the oil once every one to two months.

Does plastic furniture need any special care?

• Plastic outdoor furniture is more resilient to the elements than metal and wood and is definitely the easiest to look after. To clean, remove any stains or marks with a mild detergent and then simply hose down. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing brushes as this can scratch the furniture and for a nice shine try using your regular furniture polish.

Is there any advice for looking after metal outdoor furniture?

• Aluminium is a popular choice for outdoor furniture as it is lightweight and rust free, however, it still requires regular cleaning, simply use a high quality car wax for this task.
• To clean painted metal furniture, ensure it is dry before you start and follow by cleaning out any dirt from the joints and seams with a soft brush, water and soap and finish with a gentle detergent and water, which is an effective and hassle – free way of keeping the furniture clean. Store the furniture indoors, if possible, when not in use and ensure it is dry when you do so.
• For wrought iron furniture, cleaning with mild soap and water and leaving to dry out thoroughly. It is a good idea when cleaning to tilt the feet to ensure they dry properly.
• Most modern day metal furniture has been treated to prevent rusting and corrosion, however if it does occur and is caught early enough, then a tarnish remover can be used to bring it back to new.

What about my awnings, umbrellas and cushions?

• These materials have a tendency to attract mildew (mould that grows on fabric). To tackle it use a non-ammonia soap or dishwashing detergent and if it is a pale or white fabric use a non-chlorine bleach solution to remove mouldy spots and stains. Always rinse and dry thoroughly. Vinyl materials can be cleaned with convertible car hood cleaning products.