Caring For a Pine Dresser

A dresser is an expensive furniture item, so naturally you will want to make sure you are taking adequate care of it. Poor care for your dresser will shorten its operational lifespan, which is obviously not a good thing. Here are some tips on maintenance for wood furniture in general and pine dressers in particular.

Staining – On Purpose

Yes, we all try to avoid stains in general, but sometimes staining wood is deliberate. Wood stains come in a variety of colors and are used to semi-permanently darken the color of your wood. Stains are very similar to paint, but are designed to soak into a wood rather than form a thin film on it. Before using a particular stain on your pine dresser, first test the stain in an inconspicuous corner to ensure that the wood will come out the right color, and then apply the stain with a brush or staining cloth.

Scratch Repair

When it comes to furniture finish, repairing a scratch is better than starting from scratch. Once you have ascertained the type of finish on your pine dresser, you will want to gently sand around the scratch and reapply the finish using a brush, wiper cloth, or sprayer.

Making a Clean Sweep

Often old furniture can be restored to prime condition simply by thoroughly cleaning it. In most cases the best cleaning method depends on the finish or paint that has been applied to the dresser.

For glossy finishes, use a cloth wrung out in hot water, which may be enhanced with soap-free detergents. For flat, painted surfaces a good cleaner is soap jelly, made by dissolving 3 tablespoons of white soap flakes in a cup of boiling water. For regularly finished pine dressers furniture polish or cleaner-conditioner works best, though make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated.

Pine Dresser Preemptive Precautions

Of course, the best way to maintain a dresser is to make sure it is not scratched/damaged/etc. in the first place. One way to protect the top from scratches is to cover it with a doily of suitable size. This is especially important if you have heavy objects resting on top which may be moved around.To prevent wood rot and decay, keep the dresser away from moisture. Sharp objects, chemicals, and objects currently ablaze should be kept away from your pine dresser; in addition, make sure to place your dresser where it is unlikely to come in contact with the aforementioned hazardous materials.

Your Friends the Drawers

Part of repair and maintenance of your dresser will include the drawers. While keeping the front clean, scratch-free, etc. is just about the same as with the rest of your dresser, one of the unique maintenance hassles of dressers lies with the drawer guides – metal frames for the little wheels on the side of the drawer that make sure that the drawer opens straight. If said drawer is “sticking” when you pull it out, then the guide rails may be offset or bent. Try unscrewing and straightening them, or just replace them. New or old, when you are done ensuring they are straight, lubricate both guides and runners with stick lubricant, paraffin, or silicone spray.
Follow these guidelines and your pine dresser will live a long and full life holding whatever you store in it. Taking good care of your dresser allows you to put off buying a new one for quite a while, and that will save you money.

 

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