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Hints and tips for the care of furniture, both cane and wood:

  • Soap can discolour cane, rush, bamboo and matting. Clean these with a strong salt  water solution instead. Greasy marks can be removed by adding a little ammonia to the water. Remaining marks can be treated with methylated spirits

  • Antique polish- fill a container with grated beeswax and top up with turprentine. Stand for four weeks and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil( optional) stir to form a thin paste. Apply and polish with a clean soft cloth.

  • If a chair seat is being cleaned, both sides should be washed to make it shrink evenly and remove the sag.

  • Furniture polish: 250ml raw linseed oil with 125ml each of turpentine, vinegar and methylated spirits mixed well together.

  • The juice of a ripe tomato removes ink stains from furniture.

  • Leather furniture should be cleaned with two parts linseed oil and one part vinegar. To brighten leather use the white of an egg and rub with a soft dry cloth.

  • Oak furniture is cleaned best by warm beer.

  • For greasy furniture use a solution of 1 tablespoon borax and warm water to wash.

  • White enamel furniture can be cleaned by mixing a teaspoonful of salt with spirits of turpentine, then rinse of with soapy water.

  • Cane needs 1 teaspoonful of salt with a liter of water or equal quantities of lemon juice and water. Dry well.

  • Varnished woodwork responds well to a strong tea mixture.

  • Gilt needs to be rubbed with lemon then sponged with a mixture of 1/2 l water and 5ml bicarb. Dry carefully and shine with a chamois.

  • Drawer can be made to run easily by rubbing the grooves with soap or floor wax or beeswax.