How to Wreck Your White Dresser Beyond Repair

Okay, so you are the proud owner of a newly purchased white dresser, and you want to know what lifespan it will have if you put it in a certain area or use it for a specific purpose. The answer to this is, occasionally, “Not a very long one”.

Exposure to the Elements

One way to damage your dresser is to get it wet. Not just a momentary “Oops, I spilled my coffee” wet, but a real, persistent leak from the radiator, right next to a shower kind of wet. This will result in all kinds of mold, mildew, and other unpleasant stuff growing in the wood.

Exposure to intense heat is also something to be avoided when positioning a white dresser, as this can scorch the paint, causing it to change color or peel. Additionally, intense heat can also have the minor setback of setting the dresser on fire, something which should be avoided at all cost. Heat sources include radiators, curling irons, candles, and space heaters, among other things.

Weighty Matters

Most dressers are rated to take a certain amount of weight before you have to worry about breakage. Usually this amount will be printed on the label, or occasionally you may need to ask the sales representative. However, equally important is how the weight is distributed evenly – if too much weight is placed in the topmost drawers, you risk the dresser tipping over and hitting the floor.

Drawers

We all remember our parents telling us not to yank on the drawer too hard or it would break. What they didn’t tell you is how. Too much stress can result in the handle loosening, or even breaking off entirely. While in most cases, the knob can be replaced, sometimes fragments of the wood may break off as well, in which case the entire drawer may need to be replaced.

Death by Insect Assault

Just about everyone has heard of termites. The bane of homeowners everywhere, termites may bore into your dresser and set up shop, destroying extensive portions of the woodwork. Another insect-related hazard is the threat of carpenter ants, who behave similarly to termites in that they carve their homes out of your best furniture. However, carpenter ants are drawn more to moist or decaying wood, so keeping your white dresser dry and mold and mildew-free will reduce the threat of invasion.

The best way to avoid termite damage is to just keep them out of your house, period. Barring that, make sure the dresser is raised off the floor and separated from the wall by at least two inches.

Avoiding damage to your new white dresser can involve several workarounds, but you will find that precaution is the better part of maintenance.

 

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