If you've got wooden bar stools in an eating area, such as at a kitchen counter or breakfast bar, you'll need to regularly dust or polish them.  However, over time your kitchen counter stool   are bound to show signs of daily use and it's worth giving them special attention to revitalize them with a really thorough clean.

If you discover any superficial scratches in the finish, which don't go into the wood itself, you should be able to remove them, or at least make them less obvious.  Use a very fine steel wool pad soaked in Danish oil and rub each scratch firmly but gently.  Be very careful to remove the scratches without damaging the stain beneath the finish.  Once you've got a smooth surface, clean off all the debris and residue oil with a cloth and mineral spirits.  Leave the stools to dry overnight and then refinish the area with clear lacquer spray. 

Any visible water marks on your bar stools can be tackled fairly easily, as long as the water hasn't penetrated too deeply into the wood.  Put a small amount of mayonnaise - yes, regular mayo - or linseed oil on a cloth or paper towel.  Press it onto the stain and leave for around 20 minutes before checking.  If you can still faintly see the mark, rub it again with more mayo or oil, leave it and then check again.

Mold can be a problem on wooden stools, especially in kitchens where there's inadequate ventilation.  Any areas of mold can be wiped off, but it's important to use something that's going to stop it growing back.  A mix of equal parts water and household bleach should effectively kill any mold spores.  To prevent further mold appearing in the future, try to improve ventilation when you're cooking by installing an extractor fan or simply opening a window so any moisture in the air can escape.

These care and maintenance tips should help you extend the lifespan of your bar stools and keep them looking their best.

Article is provided courtesy of GetBarStools.com