When you adore being green at a throwaway society, you have more choices than most in regards to furniture. You can renew your own furniture or choose up thrift-store finds for pennies to the dollar without breaking the bank. Well-constructed furniture with great bones may also be made new again with a bit of time and energy. To give upholstered furniture a quick facelift, simply use a low-suds laundry detergent mixed with warm water and a soft-bristled brush to renew its appearance. For wood furniture, you have several choices for making furniture new again.

Making Old New Again

A well-used slice of wood furniture looks shabby — not chic. Wipe the furniture with mineral spirits to determine its appearance with just an oil-based finish. Thoroughly wash the furniture with warm water and soap, rinse clean, then dry. Remove white rings with petroleum jelly or special products. Gently remove paint spatters employing a utility razor blade edged with masking tape and slightly bent using both fingers. You can fix damaged regions with wood filler or epoxy, staining and sanding. For the finishing touch, employ a wipe-on finish and let dry.

Tired, But Still Looking great

Easily renew wood furniture whose finish has faded in just a couple of quick steps with some of the new gel stains available. Simply clean the wood piece with warm water and soap and rinse clean. A soft cloth removes excess moisture and dries the furniture. A dark gel stain applied to the surface of the wood will hide any small scratches or nicks, but it wo not eliminate water stains or other defects. If your piece of furniture has dings and heavier scratches, leave them for a distressed look when you are done. Add your favorite finish or paste wax.

Resurrecting the Dead

When you have the time and tools to resurrect an old bit of wood furniture in a yard-sale or thrift shop find, begin by applying a stripper. Work at a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves. Use a putty knife to scrape the stripped finish. After it’s dry, sand with the wood grain with a mild seams. Apply your chosen stain and let dry. You can decide to apply a few coats of paste wax, a matte finish, a varnish or shellac for the final coat, depending upon your personal preferences.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Contrary to the emperor in the fairy tale, you can make a fresh pair of clothing for your upholstered furniture that everyone is able to see and enjoy. Custom-made slipcovers offer a quick way to renew and restore outdated or worn fabrics on couches and chairs. But if you have the dollars and the time, an entire reupholstery occupation will make that old sofa look brand-new. When you reupholster a bit of furniture, then replace old batting and pillows with fresh before recovering them.

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