Prevention


Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Designing a safe nursery

designing a safe nurseryDesigning a nursery for your soon-to-be-newborn is a very special time for parents. You want the room to be perfectly safe; a beautiful living space for your new special treasure but free from any hazards. But how do you protect them from the hazards you can’t see? Here are some safe and healthy ways to create a living space for your little one.

Keep it clean and simple

Today’s current fad is a contemporary style. The modern-and-chic look is one of simplicity, where only a few items are used to bring life to the room. Use colors sparingly in this instance, and stay away from over-using pastels. Go with a calm color for the walls.  This will allow for wall murals or cozy rugs to stand out more, adding style to the room.

Avoid hazards you can see

Keeping the room safe doesn’t just mean ensuring the edges of furniture pieces are rounded and protectors are in the plugs. You have to protect your little one from things that cannot be seen. This means staying away from synthetic materials that give off formaldehyde gas. Items like press board and plastics are the culprits in this case. Instead, choose furniture made out of natural wood that is not finished. It’s pretty much guaranteed that during your baby’s gumming stage, s/he will come in contact with the crib or other pieces of furniture. Be sure to stay away from painted or stained materials for their safety as well.

Natural Baby Bedding

Toxins can also be found in bedding. Your baby’s skin will be in contact with nursery bedding for many hours each day. A baby’s skin is very sensitive in the early years, so it’s important to keep their skin safe from substances that cause irritation. Choose natural fabrics like cotton instead of synthetics. This also goes for crib bumpers, pillow inserts, covers and changing pads.

Safe walls for little hands

On the theme of non-toxic products, it’s important that the walls of the room are safe from any artificial materials. If you’re choosing wallpaper for the room, look to have it professionally installed with non-toxic wallpaper paste. If you choose to paint, zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) is your best bet here and can be customized to match almost any color you need.

When designing a safe and hazard free nursery for your new arrival, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their massive selection of children furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you know your baby’s nursery is a safe place to be!

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Starting your morning off right

B8700How many times has your morning been ruined by the painful feeling of banging one of your toes or shins against a dresser or another piece of furniture?

At one time or another it has happened to all of us, but the great thing is it doesn’t have to anymore! When working with limited space, finding a way to set up your bedroom can be very tricky. The following steps will help you not only add more comfort and style to your bedroom, but it will save you from mornings filled will toe throbbing pain:

  1. Sketch the layout of your bedroom on a piece of paper. Include measurements and placement of all radiators, doors, and windows.
  2. Get the measurements of all your furniture. You can either write it down or if you are creative enough, make cutouts of each furniture piece.
  3. Place the cutouts on the paper and move them around until you get the desired layout you want. Make sure the spacing between furniture pieces is big enough, giving you the peace of mind knowing that you won’t be bumping into anything when you wake up.
  4. Make sure your room is clutter free! Clearing out clutter from the corners of the room will give you better energy flow. Exposed electrical equipment emits electromagnetic waves, which can hinder a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, hide wires from electrical equipment in units with doors.

When designing the perfect layout for your bedroom, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those perfect bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can start your mornings off pain free!

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Protecting furniture against mold and mildew

protect against mold and mildew

Some major pests that accompany the upcoming hot summer months are mold, mildews and fungus which  thrive in moist, warm environments. Regular cleaning of your Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® natural wood furniture from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee should be enough to prevent mildew that thrives on organic materials like paper, leather, and wood. Cooled, dehumidified and circulated indoor air is very important for your health and that of your furniture. However, if you find mold damage, follow these steps to safely removing it:

  1. Remove mold immediately as it can cause sickness, respiratory problems and have an odor.
  2. Wring out a cloth soaked in a solution of three parts water and one part mild detergent.
  3. Wipe surface of the furniture with the solution to remove the mold.
  4. Wipe one small area at a time, followed by a cloth dipped in plain water.
  5. Dry all areas thoroughly.
  6. Clean greasy or filmy substances off your furniture with furniture cleaner, which is different than furniture polish. Wax buildup can harbor mold.
  7. Scrub stubborn spots with a brush dipped in a solution of five parts water and one part chlorine bleach. Test an inconspicuous area first to test colorfastness. Rinse the area thoroughly with plain water and then dry.
  8. Weather permitting, place the furniture outside in the sun to dry. Sunlight aids in oxidation and will be a huge factor in the fight against mold and mildew.

Following these steps will guarantee that your gorgeous natural wood furniture from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee will give you years of pleasurable use.

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Features of durable living room furniture

durable living room furnitureThink you can’t have beautiful furniture just because you have beautiful—but boisterous—children? Think again! Kids can coexist with a beautiful home!

The type of cover you choose for your furniture is very important. Many fabrics come with anti-stain features or treatments to protect against spills and stains.  Microfiber repels moisture remarkably and comes in a dazzling array of colors and suede like finishes. Genuine leather can also be an excellent choice because of its durability and strength. Many leather finishes have a naturally distressed look that won’t show wear and tear over a period of time.  A sofa with a washable slipcover sofa also protects your investment during the messy years.

Clean ability should be high on your list of considerations, right up there with durability.  Sooner or later, your kids are going to jump on your furniture—it’s practically guaranteed! Quality construction using strong frames and high-density cushions can stand up to typical roughhousing. Rearrange your furniture periodically to make sure all pieces are sharing the love—and the rassling!

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to see how beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection meets your family’s needs.

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Protect your furniture from getting scratched

cat-scratching-postCats are a great family pet. Their easy maintenance, sweet and loving nature, and great companionship can really add to your family’s home lifestyle. But one of the frustrations that come with having cats is their constant need for scratching furniture.

Cats have a need and desire to scratch, stretch, and flex their claws. The way they accomplish all these acts is by latching on for dear life to your nearest piece of furniture and stretching their body until they feel comfortable again. This can lead to severely damaged furniture and leave you very frustrated.

Follow these steps to prevent your cat from scratching and preserve the look of the furniture you bought through your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee for a lifetime.

  1. Get your cat a scratching post. Put them in locations cats like to be at. For example, cats love the sun and how it feels on their fur, so place a post by a window.
  2. Find a post that best suits your cat. This may take a bit of experimenting on your part, but will be well worth it.
  3. Do some research and find out what type of surfaces or textures your breed of cat likes. This can include rugs, wood, cardboard ect.  Also, what type of post orientations they like. (vertical or horizontal)
  4. Through a reward system, give your cat kitty treats every time they use the post. This will create a desire in them to want to scratch the post.
  5. After the cat takes a long hard nap, pick the cat up and place them near the post. Cats stretch and flex their claws after waking up. This will give them a place to do it on.
  6. Do not punish your cat if they scratch the furniture. This will only teach them to not do it when you are around.
  7. Even if you plan on getting rid of an old piece of furniture, still do not allow your cat to scratch it. This will only teach them to scratch furniture.
  8. Finally, consult your local veterinarian about different treatment option before you give up.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Mans best friend

stop dogs from chewing furnitureMan’s best friend can also be his worst enemy when it comes to furniture!

It’s normal for puppies to chew on any object they can find. This habit will typically continue until the age of two. No object is safe during this growing time! Puppies will chew on shoes, windowsills, moldings, clothes, sports equipment – but most importantly, your brand new furniture!

Protect the wonderful piece of furniture you just purchased from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee from becoming a tasty snack for your terrier by following these easy steps.

  1. Figure out why it is chewing. Is it because of teething, curiosity, boredom, or a behavioral disorder? Discuss these options with your local veterinarian.
  2. If your puppy is teething, buy a special teething ring made for puppies or give him a frozen washcloth to chew on.
  3. Keep a sharp eye on your puppy. Don’t let it wander about. Use a baby gate to corral the canine and keep it in the same room as you. Crates can also be useful; keep the crate stocked with chewable toys.
  4. If you catch your dog chewing, distract her by giving her something appropriate to chew on. Rotate toys with various textures so boredom does not become a factor.
  5. Practice obedience with your puppy. Set aside time to play or teach tricks. Your puppy wants your attention.
  6. Finally, exercise your puppy. If you tire him out, he won’t have the energy to chew on furniture.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection your entire family will enjoy, even your family pet.