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How To Take Care Of And Maintain Handmade Products?

Feb 15, 2023 | Akshay Maharkhede

When you support handcrafted pieces, you also support the craftsmanship they practice. We support communities, local artists, and even our own conscious habits when we choose to buy handmade goods. There is no better reason than the latter to buy handmade. But these handmade products need to take some extra care to ensure that the product must last long. Most handmade goods are made with natural raw materials & so they are likely to react quickly with different temperatures & materials. As they are expensive products & if you take care of these products, after a certain age they are going to turn into an antique piece.






 FURNITURE &  WOODEN HANDICRAFTS:

How to clean & take care of wooden furniture?



  • Regular dusting and cleaning: Particles in the air can form a thin layer on wood and damage the surface. Therefore, you should prevent this build-up by dusting frequently. Use a microfiber cloth or cotton cloth to avoid damage from accumulated dust. Also, using a lambswool duster for hard-to-reach areas and carvings can effectively attract dust.

While cleaning use a diluted cleaner, squeeze out as much solution as possible, and lightly wipe the surface. Wipe immediately with a dry cloth. 


Normal cleaning of dust is okay but some difficult marks usually make more problems. 

            How to clean difficult marks on wood?

Make a paste of baking soda & water apply this paste to stubborn stains on your furniture and gently rub it with a soft cloth to remove stains. Let it dry now after that just polish the affected area to gain the shine again.



  • Care & Protection: Avoid contact with dampness or moisture as it may damage the wood. Protect from sun and heat. Use sprays & polishes for maintaining their shine but it can lead to dust accumulation forming a sticky layer. But if that's the only way to add shine, try to polish your furniture to prevent buildup. 


  • Avoid scratches &Treat them immediately: Firstly you should always avoid scratches but if scratches are small use anti-scratch products to cover those marks and restore their beauty. However, if the damage is severe, treat it with a touch-up stick or polish. Even you can paint it after that.


  • Oiling & Polishing: After cleaning with dilute cleaner Apply a liberal amount of teak oil until the wood is saturated with oil. Then apply a protective coat and let him dry for a day. Wooden pieces of furniture are best polished with teak oil. You can do this either with a paintbrush or just with any suitable dry cloth. Remember, you much clean it with a dry cloth after an hour of polishing to remove the excess oil.



       How to maintain intricate wooden handicrafts?


  • Protect from sun and heat.


  • Avoid contact with dampness or moisture as it may damage the wood.


  • Avoid scratches and dirt.


  • Firstly you just have to clean it with help of a dry clean cloth.


  • Use wax with a cloth and rub the surface of the wooden handicraft in the direction of the wood grain. Avoid undue pressure and work gently.


  • If it is carved & its intricate work over wood avoid rubbing, dilute the wax with petrol or turpentine & gently apply over carved wood craft with the soft paintbrush.


  • Make mild soap water with any detergent. Take any clean & suitable cloth. Use this damp cloth to wipe wood crafts surfaces. This will remove dirt and dust that has built up on your crafts. Finally, let it dry.

HANDMADE TEXTILES PRODUCTS 


Handmade dhurries, cushions, and apparel products there are many such product categories that come in handmade textiles, In many of these products natural dies are used & most of those are pure cotton-based materials. So it takes some effort to sustain these products for a long time. Here are a few tips you can follow:


For home furnishing goods: 


CARPET OR RUG PRODUCTS:



What is the best way to clean rugs by yourself?


If the rug is small, you can put it in the washing machine. Use a cold setting on a gentle cycle and let it dry naturally. However, if the carpet is too big to machine wash, hand washing is sufficient. It is advisable to do this on a sunny day, as it must be washed and dried outside.


 Well, you can wash rugs anytime but summer is the best time for cleaning.


Vacuuming: 

Vacuum the fibers, turn the rug over, and vacuum the other side to remove any remaining dust. If the carpet is still dusty at this point, knock it out with a broomstick or similar to knock out more dust.


Washing: 

Always use carpet shampoo for cleaning expensive carpets. Apply a small amount to a small corner or spot, stir with water, and let sit for several hours. Go back and wash this dirt off. Check carefully for color and fiber damage. Using a safe shampoo, pull out the garden hose and rinse the carpet well. Use a strong, firm-grip brush that works the shampoo deep into the fibers of the carpet.


Rinsing & Drying:

Squeeze the rug as much as possible to remove excess moisture. A squeegee will help with this step. After this, the carpet is still very damp and you will have to wait for it to dry completely before you bring it home. Drying may take him more than a day, possibly even a weekend.

Consider taking the rug into the laundry room or garage for safer drying. When the rug is completely dry, you can't feel the water when you press hard and it may be a little stiff.


How to care for your old & antique handmade rug?


  • Vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris. Use a vacuum with adjustable suction and be careful when vacuuming fringes and fringes.

  • Rotate the lug regularly to prevent uneven wear and fading.

  • Protect the carpet from direct sunlight. Colors may fade.

  • Remove spills and stains immediately with a clean damp cloth and mild detergent.

  • Avoid using chemicals that can damage the carpet fibers.


You should have your carpet professionally cleaned every two to three years. This helps remove ingrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can cause damage over time.

When not in use, store the rug in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and pest damage.

Consider having your carpet professionally evaluated and insured to protect your investment.


  • For Knotted rugs, you should always be washed with a properly formulated detergent. It is necessary to wash both the front and back separately. After cleaning it is very important to rinse the carpet thoroughly until all the cleaner is removed. Don't just shampoo the surface of the carpet.




How to take care of naturally dyed handmade textile goods?

  • Use only pH-neutral soap or detergents for cleaning.

  • Always wash different colors of clothes separately.

  • Do not keep it in sunlight for the long term in direct contact with the sun for drying.

  • Always iron inside out at medium temperature.


How do you maintain silk fabric?


  • CLEANING: Gently wash old silk items with mild soap and cold water. Avoid harsh detergents and bleaches as they can damage the silk fibers.


  • STORAGE: Store old silk products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. If possible, store in acid-free tissue paper or cotton bags to prevent fading and yellowing.


  • AVOID MOISTURE: Moisture can damage old silk products, so do not store them in a damp place or expose them to rain or moisture.


  • DRY CLEANING: If your old silk product is heavily soiled or stained, we recommend taking it to a professional dry cleaner for cleaning.


  • HANDLING: Handle old silk products with care and avoid pulling or stretching the fibers.


  • REPAIR: If your old silk item has tears or holes, have it repaired by a professional tailor or restorer.


  • PROTECTION FROM INSECTS: Old silk products can be attacked by insects, so store them in insect-proof containers or place cedar shavings in the storage area.


How do you maintain woolen fabric?


  • CLEANING: Gently wash old woolen items with mild soap and cold water. A cashmere brush is a great tool for removing lint, hair, and lint from wool garments prior to washing. Brushing also helps revive the thread by releasing the thread's natural oils.use the Delicate/Wool Machine to wash clothes. Chlorine or oxygen bleaches should never be used on wool fabrics as they weaken the fibers and shorten the life of the garment. It should be dry cleaned or laundered according to label instructions.


  • STORAGE: Store old silk products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. If possible, store in acid-free tissue paper or cotton bags to prevent fading and yellowing.


  • AVOID MOISTURE: Wash all wool clothing thoroughly before packing for the next season. Storing it will increase the chances of it getting moldy all year round, even if it is a little dirty. After cleaning, carefully fold/roll it up and preferably store it in a covered box or crate to keep it out of the air. please. Moisture can damage old woolen products, so do not store them in a damp place or expose them to rain or moisture.


  • DRY CLEANING: If your old woolen product is heavily soiled or stained, we recommend taking it to a professional dry cleaner for cleaning.


  • HANDLING: Handle old woolen products with care and avoid pulling or stretching the fibers.


  • REPAIR: If your old woolen item has tears or holes, have it repaired by a professional tailor or restorer.If your fabric shrinks don't worry just Add fabric softener/softener or hair conditioner to warm water and soak the clothes. The fibers relax and the sweater can be stretched to its original size.



     How to take care of Handmade pottery?

Handmade Pottery and glassware in good condition can be safely cleaned to remove surface contaminants. Use soft brushes and detergents, and avoid metals and scrubbing brushes. Remove loose dirt with a soft brush. Cloth can get caught on delicate surfaces. Washing with tap water is possible, but distilled or deionized water is preferred. The temperature of the water should be lukewarm or cold.




How to maintain your handmade jewelry?  


  • STORING IN SAFE PLACE: Store old jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. Jewelry boxes and soft pouches are available for storage.


  • REGULARLY CLEANING: Clean your old jewelry regularly to remove dirt and contaminants that can damage it over time. Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean your jewelry. Avoid using chemical cleaners as they can damage metal and stone.


  • HANDLING: Please be very careful when handling old jewelry. Pulling or twisting jewelry can damage metals and stones. Also, please avoid rough use that may cause damage. For example, sports or household chores.


  • STORE SEPARATELY: Do not store dissimilar metals or stones together as they can damage each other. Store silver and gold jewelry separately to avoid tarnishing.


  • AVOID CHEMICAL CONTACT: Old jewelry should not be exposed to harsh chemicals such as chlorine, which can damage metal and stone. Remove jewelry before swimming or bathing.


  • OLD JEWELRY  APPRAISAL: Have your old jewelry appraised by a professional jeweler to determine its value and ensure it is in good condition. An appraisal also helps determine the steps necessary to protect your jewelry.




CONCLUSION:


When you buy a handmade product, you often buy it with the intention of using it for the rest of your life. These purchases make more sense and are often heirlooms. But these handmade products need to take some extra care to ensure that the product must last long. Most handmade goods are made with natural raw materials & so they are likely to react quickly with different temperatures & materials. We have covered various tips for cleaning & maintaining for different product categories.


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