A home can mean different things to different people; a place to raise the kids, somewhere to host fine dining for friends, or simply somewhere to fall asleep in front of the TV.

Whatever your home is to you, we know that you want it to look its best at all times. Sometimes all it needs is a fresh lick of paint to brighten up the décor, but occasionally it’s the furniture that needs revamping - life is full of little accidents; spilt wine on a Friday night, scratches from your new kitten, a food fight between your two children… All of which can see your once pride and joy coffee table or sofa become raggedy and looking very sorry for itself.

At Oak Furniture, we encourage you to buy quality furnishings which last, but we know repairs can be costly so here are some DIY tricks to undoing all of life’s little accidents and getting your furniture back in tip top shape.

Getting rid of water marks

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We’ve all been there; put a cuppa down without a coaster, left a wine glass out overnight, put an ice cold drink on the table on a warm day… Each innocent mistake can damage wood and leave white water marks on the table. Luckily, it is easily fixed with a sandwich staple: full fat mayonnaise.

Using a soft cloth, rub full fat mayonnaise into the stain and leave for at least half an hour before wiping the excess off. If it’s a stubborn mark, leave the mayonnaise on for a few hours, making sure to top up as it dries out.

Getting rid of scratches

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Often, no one knows when the first scratch on a piece of furniture happens. One day there is none, the next day there are several. If the scratch is light, it can easily be repaired using walnut flesh. Simply crack open a walnut and rub the ‘meat’ over the scratch several times to release its oil, and then use the warmth from your finger to warm up the area and help the wood absorb the oil.

Deeper scratches can be filled in using a soft wax stick. These are sold in a variety of colours to match different woods, and cost under £5 from reputable retailers. Simply take a bit of the wax, warm it up and press it into the scratch a little at a time to ensure a smooth finish.

Getting rid of grease stains in upholstery

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Whether it’s from a spilt takeaway or just mucky little fingers, grease stains in upholstery can be a sight for sore eyes. Rather than cover it up with a cushion, scrape off any excess grease with a dull knife and cover the stain in baking soda. Allow it 30 minutes on the stain to absorb the grease, then vacuum using the brush attachment (if you don’t have an attachment, vacuum and then brush with a stiff scrubbing brush). Any remaining residue can be treated by dampening a cloth with dry cleaning solvent and pressing this on the stain.

Getting rid of kitchen countertop stains

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Although most kitchen countertops are resilient to stains, tough sauces like bolognaise can leave their mark if left untreated. To fix these stains, make a paste of equal parts non-gel white toothpaste and baking soda, massage in lightly and leave on the surface for a few hours before wiping off with a dry cloth and washing.

Unless it’s extremely old or damaged, fixing furniture is relatively easy and low cost. Of course, protecting your furniture through regular polishing and varnishing is key to long life quality, but for those mishaps and accidents, these tips should help.