looking after leather bound books.

Interesting request in my inbox this week asking for help on looking after leather bound books. There is an interesting site out there, http://www.tomfolio.com/CollectingInfo/caringforbooks.asp which gives out some good information. One thing it doesn't advise against, though, when talking about bookmarks, is not to use your breakfast rasher! Don't laugh! Talk to any Public Librarian, it does happen!

The article does say that current thinking advises agaist using leather preservatives for the preservation of leather bound books. Instead it advises using a plastic cover in the short term but not to store your books in plastic as they need to breathe. They are, therefore, suggesting that preservation looks after itself. I will take issue with the author on this point. I have seen leather that hasn't been preserved and it dries out and crumbles.

Leather does need feeding and books are no different. Any difference comes in handling. The books must be handled carefully. Keep any preservative away from the paper and use it only on the leather. Use it very very sparingly. All this, though is just common sense.

I recommend Heritage leathercare. As I say, use it very very sparingly - your books should not be left be left greasy! In fact, after use, you should be able to wipe over the surface with a soft cloth and not have any marks on it.

Heritage Leathercare is available online, visit http://www.heritagepolish.com/shop/heritage-leathercare/cat_4.html

How to care for wood furniture

Have you checked my new blog, www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk/blog yet? Obviously, as the name implies, it is all about Heritage Woodcare in particular and wood in general. The latest post, (posted on February 7th) 'How to care for wood furniture' looks at what is out there on looking after your wood furniture. Go on, check it out, you never know, you might it interesting.

How to keep warm using Paston Crafts' Heat Reflecting (Retaning) / Self Heating Cushions

The weather is cold and forecast to get colder! Cuincidentally I have received some requests for information about the Heat Reflecting (Retaining) / Self Heating Cushions produced by Paston Crafts so I thought it would be useful to put them under the spotlight.

They work by using the body's own heat and are especially suitable where there is no access to a microwave, e.g. wheelchair, car, coach, caravan, etc., and are great when attending outdoor events such as fishing / music shows & sporting events (whether outdoor or indoor), etc..

They can also be used at home. Multi-purpose you can sit on them, use them as a back rest or neck rest, etc., They can also be put under coats or jumpers when going out in cold weather.

Another great use is for your pets. Dogs and cats love them when they are put in their beds, under a blanket as they also benefit from their heat retaining properties.

They are available online, visit http://heritagepolish.com/shop/paston-crafts/cat_3.html

Re - information please on cleaning and rewaxing a wax jacket.

Among the queries I have received was one asking for some information about cleaning and rewaxing a wax jacket. i have blogged about this in the past although not for some time so it won't hurt to go through this again.

This is a comparatively simple job. First of all. thoroughly brush the jacket to remove all the mud and other debris.If the jacket has marks on it, take a damp cloth soaked in soapy water and wipe. This should clean your jacket. Make sure your jacket is completely dry Then, using the sponge provided with your Heritage Leathercare, load it by wiping over the surface of your Heritage Leathercare, removing any surplus by wiping on the edge of your container and then apply to your jacket Wipe in circular motions making sure you treat the whole garment. Apply very sparingly and ensure your jacket is not left patchy. If necessary buff up using a lint free cloth. Your jacket will be clean and rewaxed and will remain water resistant.

Heritage Leathercare can be obtained online, visit www.heritagepolish.com/shop/heritage-leathercare/cat_4.html

I have nicotine on my wood furniture - how can I remove it?

Another question that is regularly posed to me is about removing nicotine from furniture,

Some time ago I posted about a cheap oak chest of drawers bought from an antique shop. In this post I said, the reason it was so cheap was because it came in a house clearance from someone who had been a heavy smoker. The drawers were very dirty and covered in nicotine.I was asked if Heritage Woodcare would remove all this buildup of nicotine and grime.

Heritage Woodcare works by removing all the buildup of silicons, waxes, grease and grime and in the process will also remove most white heat, ring and water marks It should therefore, remove all the buildup from the drawers including the nicotine and, at the same time make them smell a little fresher.

Heritage Woodcare is very easy to use . Give your bottle a really good shake, pour some into a container, take any soft and clean cloth, soak it in the polish and squeeze and wring the cloth out till it is damp dry. Pour the remaining polish back into your bottle.You are now ready and all you do now is wipe, possibly more than once, following the direction of the grain . As previously stated, Heritage Woodcare removes all the build up of silicons, waxes , grease and grime and as the nicotine is in the buildup, that will be removed at the same time.

Heritage Woodcare is available online, visit www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk/buy-woodcare

How can I remove the black marks caused by bitumen on my wood floor

I regularly get queries asking for help to remove bitumen (tar) from wood flooring so I thought I would start the New Year off by answering this query.

Bitumen is used as an adhesive to stick wood flooring, particularly parquet flooring.Over time the bitumen seeps up between the joints leaving black marks on the floor.Indeed I had this very problem on my own floors.

My wife and I decided to replace the carpet from the hall and stairs To make the job easier and cheaper I took up the existing carpet myself only to find a parquet floor underneath. I could also see the floor continued into the lounge. After much persuasion my wife agreed to not replacing the carpet on the understanding that I cleaned the floor and did all the maintenance!

The floor that was revealed was very dirty and appeared to have a lot of black marks, (which I subsequently found to be bitumen) between the wood tiles. After several attempts at sweeping the floor I managed to pick up all the dust. I then got down on my hands and knees (which I could in those days!) and used Scotchbrite (a non scratch scourer) soaked in Heritage Woodcare and "scrubbed" the whole floor. I finished up with a floor that looked really clean and had a slight sheen, I was also pleased to note that all the bitumen that had seeped up between the joints had been removed

Now every time I sweep the floor it also restores the sheen and wiping over with my Heritage Woodcare once per month is all that is required to keep my floor looking really good

Heritage woodcare can be bought online, visit http://www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk/products-page

Happy New Year, contact me at The Technocentre,Puma Way, Coventry

I would like to wish all my readers a very happy New Year. May 2012 bring you all you hope for!

I thought this will be a good time to tell you all the details you need to know to contact me and to be able to place an order.

I can be contacted by email on jim@heritagepolish.com
by post at DCK Services
The Technocentre
Puma Way
Coventry
CV1 2TT
by phone on 07967 139636 (office hours please)


All Heritage Polish, and Paston Craft products can be purchased by post as well as online. Simply send your order with payment (cash, cheque or bankers order, or postal order) to :-
DCK Services,
The Technocentre,
Puma Way,
Coventry,
CV1 2TT
Web Orders I aim to post within 24 hours of receipt. Mail Orders may take up to 7 days for receipt and despatch. Holidays and sickness may mean orders take slightly longer to process and post.