Karachi is an urban area in which the air is typically saturated with salt and humidity. If you own solid wooden furniture, the humidity is always a problem. Wood is an “living” material, which means that it breathes. In an area like Karachi wood could take in too much moisture in the atmosphere, which can lead to swelling, swollen drawers or even mold.
If you’ve invested in quality wooden furniture it is important to ensure that you take care of them in the monsoon season and during the summer months that are humid. There is no need for expensive tools or expensive chemicals to shield your furniture. If you follow a few easy practices to maintain your furniture looking stunning and sturdy for a long time.
Be Sure To Keep Your Furniture Away From The Walls
One of the biggest mistakes people make in Karachi is placing their wooden bedroom sets directly against the wall. During the rainy season, walls absorb a lot of moisture from the outside. If your wooden furniture is close to a damp wall, the moisture can seep directly into the wood.
Always leave a minimum 3 to five inches between the furniture and wall. This lets air flow freely around the furniture. Since air can move freely the moisture will not get settled. This technique is the most effective to stop the cabinet’s back from turning green due to the appearance of mold or beginning to rot.
Control the Air Inside Your Home
It doesn’t require a costly device to control the humidity of your home. Simple habits that you make every day can make a huge difference. When it’s extremely humid or raining, close your windows to prevent the humid sea air from entering your home.
- Utilizing your AC by running your air conditioner for a short period of time every day can help dry the air.
- Fans are your best friends. Keep the ceiling fans on to circulate the air. In the still air, mold is at its most prolific.
- Let your furniture breathe during dry spells: If the sun shines and the air is dry, make sure you open all your doors and windows for your furnishings to “breathe.”
- Open your cabinets: Each day, you should open the doors to your wardrobe for 10 seconds to allow the air trapped within to let out.
Use Natural Moisture Absorbers
The insides of cupboards and drawers can be very damp in Karachi. This causes a “musty” smell on your clothing and can damage wooden surfaces from the inside. For wood swings, you can use common items from your kitchen or local store to help control the moisture and protect the wood.
Place small containers of charcoal, activated or gel silica packets (the small white bags you see in fresh shoe boxes) inside your drawers. These act like tiny sponges, absorbing any excess moisture in the air. For console table design, you can also use camphor or neem leaves, which are common in Pakistan. They not only help control humidity but also repel termites and other insects that are attracted to damp wood.
Cleanse With A Dry Touch
In a humid city such as Karachi in Pakistan, you should never ever use a damp cloth to wash your wood. In addition to adding more water to the surface of your wood isn’t something you’d like to do. Instead, you should use a soft dry microfiber cloth to do everyday dusting. Dust can cling to moisture, and eventually form an impervious layer of grime if you do not remove it.
If you’ve gotten a spill, clean it up promptly with a dry cloth. If you have to apply water to remove an oily stain, just dampen the cloth lightly and then wipe the area clean, then use another dry cloth to absorb any dampness that remains. Dry wood is the best way to ensure longevity for furniture.
Apply a Protective Shield
Imagine wax or polish for furniture as a “raincoat” for your wood. Two times a year, once before the monsoon begins and again after it has ended–give your furniture a nice polish. Choose a premium wax that is made up of beeswax. This forms a thin, waterproof layer on the wood surface that prevents moisture from getting into the wood grain.
If you apply the wax, be sure that you rub it into the wood until the wood is like it’s smooth but not sticky. A surface that is sticky will draw in more moisture and dust. This layer of protection also keeps the wood’s natural oils in this helps to prevent it from breaking as the weather turns dry during winter.
Final Thoughts
The maintenance of the solidity of your wood furniture in Karachi is about consistency. It is not possible to ignore your furniture for a period of six months and expect it to be flawless. The enemy of humidity is slow to move but it’s easily defeated by paying attention to the little things. The majority of issues, such as sticking drawers, or even a part of surface mold can be fixed when they are caught in the early stages.
