CARE OF POLISHED TABLES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 43, 19 August 1930, Page 15

CARE OF POLISHED TABLES

Polished tables were never more popular than they are- to-day. Tho uso of table mats has doubtless increased their popularity, and as these have justified their existence by at once being more economical and artistic than tablecloths, the fashion is likely to remain with us (writes an exchange). A table cloth nevertheless hid a, multitude of sins, and there is something particularly sad about a neglected table or one- which obviously does not receive enough attention. A pqlished table needs a very little daily care and not Very much furniture polish, onco it is in good order. Mauy people make the mistake of treating their furniture with far too much polish. With tables, particularly, this is apt, to make the surface, sticky, as tho over-generous dose of polish is not followed by the requisite amount of elbow-grease?,, A table that has been neglected, say a 'second-hand one that lias just been brougit into tho homo, is perhaps all the better for , regular treatment with furniture ..pplish... This will'bring; up' the; grain'and even darken the surface iii time if this be desired, but once tho surface is in good order it should not be difficult-to keep it so. Do not be afraid of washing a table. It is useless to try to polish over a dirty or stained surface, and soap and water certainly will not hurt it as some people seem to imagine. Use lukewarm water,-soap, and a very soft cloth; cleanse the table> thoroughly, dryj and then use the furniture polish. Once a good polish has been achieved only a very occasional use of furniture pplish will bol necessary. To ensure the table keeping-clean, use that same damp cloth —wrung" as dry as possible —rafter each meal, then restore the polish again with a. soft chamois duster*-■ On-no account ever uso anything likely to scratch, and remove crumbs with soft duster rather than with a brush. A polishing glove sewn over with odd scraps of soft matorial or chamois, leather is invaluable. Knally, protective as well as ordinary table mats should always be used when hot plates are,,to be put on the table. Use one of these also under your vase of flowers or bowl of fruit to prevent scratching. iDouble linen table mats may be bought into which tho protective mats can be slipped. If the table should become "marked, the white marks caused by hot plates, etc., may bo removed with a liffilo methylated spirits or spirit of camphor. Try rubbing with tho methylated spirit on cotton wool if the stains are not very bad. If they arc very bad the spirit of camphor will be necessary. Exercise earo in using this. It must be dabbed on quickly and wiped off quickly. Use a little .furniture polish then to restore polish.