Home » Misc » How to clean old furniture wood

How to clean old furniture wood


How to Clean Wood Furniture

Photo: shutterstock.com

Homeowners have long relished the beauty, versatility, and toughness of wood furniture—and above all, they’ve appreciated its low maintenance. Like the ideal houseplant for brown thumbs, wood furniture survives on its own, requiring little intervention. Every now and again, though, whether due to an accident or normal wear and tear, you’ll need to know how to clean wood furniture to renew its appearance and ensure its longevity. When that inevitable day comes, follow these steps to restore a wood finish to impeccable condition without inadvertently causing damage.

Tools & Materials

If you are certain of your wood furniture finish—paint, stain, or some other treatment—then use a cleaning method appropriate for that specific wood finish. Otherwise, it’s best to clean the furniture in stages, starting with a mild cleanser that poses no risk to the integrity of the finish, then graduating to a stronger solution only if the gentler one fails. Proceeding in this way means that you can safely clean wood furniture without knowing precisely what you’re dealing with.

Advertisement

Photo: shutterstock.com

STEP 1: Dish soap

Start out with perhaps the humblest of household cleaners: liquid dish soap.

If the detergent mars the finish in your test area, then continue without the dish soap. If the test area shows no evidence of damage, it’s safe to proceed. Mix water and dish soap in a bucket and use this solution to sponge down the entire piece of furniture. Do not soak the wood; this is a common mistake. Instead, brush the sponge lightly over the surface and don’t let the liquid linger for long. Dry thoroughly.

STEP 2: Mineral spirits

If you want to see if you can get your furniture a little cleaner, the next thing to try is mineral spirits. One-quart containers typically sell for $10 or $15 (view on Amazon). Be sure to follow the printed instructions for safe use. For one thing, working in a well-ventilated area is a must.

Though mineral spirits should be harmless to wood finishes, you should still test the treatment on an inconspicuous part of the furniture to make absolutely sure. If you see no discoloration, proceed to wipe the furniture down with a the a clean cloth soaked in (but not dripping with) mineral spirits. Finish by wiping away any residual cleaner with a water-moistened cloth, inspecting the wood for blemishes as you go.

In many cases, mineral spirits can remove years of grime.

STEP 3: Consider refinishing

If the finish reacted negatively when you tested the mineral spirits on your furniture, don’t push your luck—move on. You’ll likely need to refinish the piece to truly restore it.

Advertisement

Note: To determine the type of finish that is on your furniture currently, dab some denatured alcohol onto a cotton swab and test it in a small, inconspicuous area. If the finish dissolves, that means it’s probably shellac. If the finish stands up to the alcohol, it’s probably oil, lacquer, varnish, or polyurethane.

STEP 4: Prevent future damage

If on the other hand you are satisfied with the results of your cleaning efforts (or you don’t want to refinish), you may wish to protect your furniture from future damage. To do so, reach for a furniture wax product, such as Howard Feed-N-Wax (view on Amazon) or Daddy Van’s (view on Amazon). Apply the wax liberally with a cheesecloth, always being sure to rub in the direction of the wood grain. Afterward, buff with a clean cloth.

Note: Always dust wood furniture with soft, lint-free cloths. Avoid feather dusters, because they aren’t as effective and sometimes have sharp quills that may scratch the wood surface.  

Advertisement

How to Clean Grime Off Wood Furniture - Step by Step Guide

Advertisement

Sometimes, regular dusting isn’t enough to clean grime off wood furniture. Over time, hand oils, cooking vapours and cleaning products can build up to leave a sticky layer on the surface of wood that’s hard to remove. We show you how to clean grime off wood furniture with this simple cleaning technique to restore its beauty.

How to clean grime off wooden furniture

This quick and effective method will teach you how to clean wood and lift off years of embedded grime and buildup from your favourite pieces – whether you’re looking to clean pine furniture or salvage your favourite oak armchair.

While there are several methods for removing sticky residue from wood, using mineral spirits is one of the best ways to banish any buildup and remove grime from wood.

However, as a precautionary measure it’s advised that you test this treatment on an inconspicuous area of the furniture first. If discolouration occurs, then refinishing your piece may be the best option and you should seek professional advice. Otherwise, you’re good to go.

You will need:

Advertisement

Method

  1. Dust your furniture

    Dampen a clean, dry cloth (non-scratching and preferably microfibre) with some water and gently wipe the surface. The moisture will collect the dust, but be careful not to saturate the wood.

  2. Use mineral spirits

    Apply a liberal amount of mineral spirits to another clean, dry cloth. Be careful not to use too much by soaking the wood.

  3. Wipe the surface

    Wipe the cloth over the wood surface in the direction of the grain, paying extra attention to the particularly grimy areas. The dirt should start to lift up straight away.

  4. Clean off residue

    Wipe away any residue from the mineral spirit with the clean, slightly damp cloth you used in step 1. You may need to give this a few goes depending on the size of the furniture.

  5. Wipe away moisture

    Dry away any moisture straight away with a clean, dry cloth. It’s important you don’t leave any damp on the surface.

  6. Polish and buff

    This step isn’t essential, but more of a protective measure. Apply some wax polish with a cheesecloth, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Give it a good buff.

The Poll

Where do you buy your dishwasher tablets?

Amazon

0%

Ocado

0%

Other online retailers

0%

Supermarket store e.g. Tesco, Asda…

0%

Quick commerce e.g. Getir, Jiffy

0%

0 Votes

How to clean wood furniture

Knowing how to clean dirt off wood and remove stains from furniture is usually a simple process, but in order to preserve wood's beauty, the key is knowing what products to use.

Unless your furniture has a protective coating, avoid cleaning it with water or commercial cleaning products not specifically designed for wood – when using these, always follow the instructions on the label.

(Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that it’s suitable for your furniture.)

1. Dust the wood

Using a clean, damp cloth that’s been dipped in some water, gently wipe the surface of your furniture. Do not soak the wood, which could cause damage and marks.

2. Target any grease

or sticky spots with a gentle cleaning solution of soap or mild detergent dissolved in water, using a clean, damp cloth to spot-treat the affected area.

3. Dry the surface

Once the mark has been removed, rinse carefully and wipe with a dry cloth.

4. Treat stubborn stains

such as watermarks on wood or alcohol spots can also be cleaned, but will require a stronger solution such as a wood cleaning product. For advice on tackling other stubborn marks to your furniture, read our handy guide on how to remove wood stains.

5. Give your wood furniture a polish

If your furniture has a finish, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to check which polishing products are suitable, as this can vary.

Note: Different woods occasionally need different cleaning products, so try to determine the tree your furniture was made from before you apply or purchase a wood cleaning product.

How to clean wood furniture with vinegar

Vinegar is the trusted weapon of choice for many cleaning solutions and is a safe and natural way to clean dirt off wood. Its secret ingredient is acetic acid, a powerful agent in tackling the removal of dirt, grease and grime from wood. White vinegar is best for cleaning wood, but it can still have a slight odour. To combat this, you may prefer to buy odourless vinegar, or you can add a few drops of essential oils, such as lemon, to your white vinegar solution.

1. Dust your wood

Use a moistened and clean cloth that’s been dipped in some water and wipe the entire surface to remove any dust residue.

2. Mix vinegar solution

Measure one part white vinegar (odourless if you prefer) with one part water. Add essential oil, if you are using it.

3. Test on an inconspicuous area first

While vinegar is suitable for all types of wood, it may have an adverse effect on some wood finishes. If it doesn’t damage the wood, continue to the next step.

4. Use a cheesecloth

Dip an area of the clean cheesecloth into the solution and wring it out to make sure it isn’t dripping.

5. Wipe the furniture

Rub the cloth in circular motions, making sure you follow the direction of the grain.

6. Dry the wood

Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe across the surface and absorb any moisture. If there are still marks, you can repeat the above step.

7. Buff the furniture

Finish by using circular movements to buff the entire surface of your furniture with a soft, clean cloth.

8. Treat any scratches

Mixing together a solution of two parts olive oil and one part vinegar. The oil will help to restore and replenish dry wood and remove scratches, while the vinegar will help lift out stains. This solution can also help with removing water marks. Simply follow steps 1-7 above, replacing water with olive oil.

How to clean wood table furniture and protect it too

Learning how to clean wood table furniture is very simple – just wipe it down using a damp microfiber cloth, apply a cleaning solution, and make sure to dry it afterwards. There are also measures you can take to protect your wood table for the future, such as making sure it gets dusted regularly. A build-up of dust can cause scratches and ruin the finish. You could also try using vinegar and oil to remove any watermark rings, which are very common on wood tables. Another good tip is to keep your wooden table away from the radiator, as this can cause damage to the wood.

Top tips for polishing wood furniture

Now you know how to remove grime from wood furniture, you might want to polish your furniture as a protective measure. It only needs to be done a few times a year, but for lasting results it’s important you do it properly. Here’s what you need to know:

Originally published

How to clean wooden furniture | Cleanipedia

Wooden furniture at home has one distinctive feature - when it is polished and polished, its appearance is presentable and pleasing to the eye, but as soon as a couple of stains start on the surface, it immediately loses its aesthetic appearance.

Dust, cup stains, dull surfaces - almost everyone has encountered such problems with wooden furniture. We will help you learn how to properly care for wood and how to clean wooden furniture so that it serves for a long time and brings pleasure to the eye.

To begin with, let's distinguish three stages of cleaning wooden furniture: dusting, cleaning the surface from dirt and polishing. It's all part of the same goal of getting your furniture in order, but there are special tricks for the different stages of wood furniture cleaning.

How to dust wooden furniture?

Let's start with the fact that furniture with a smooth surface attracts dust much more than unvarnished wooden objects. To prevent the accumulation of dust on smooth surfaces, you can wipe them with the following composition: dilute a small amount of shampoo with an antistatic agent and add half a liter of water. Then apply the solution to a microfiber cloth and wipe the dust off the furniture.

Another great dust remover for smooth wood surfaces is olive oil mixed with wine vinegar. Mix these ingredients and wipe the surface of wooden furniture with a cotton pad or soft cotton cloth. Such a solution will create a protective dust-repellent layer and will prevent the rapid settling of dust.

How to clean wooden furniture from dirt?

If the surface of your furniture does not contain a special protective layer of plastic, you need to be very careful with water and cleaning products that are not specifically designed for wood. Always follow the instructions for use on cleaning product labels to avoid surface damage and frustration.

Most often, dirt on wooden furniture occurs on kitchen sets, and many housewives ask themselves questions: “how to wash grease from wooden furniture?” or “how to remove white spots on a wooden table?”

How to remove grease stains from wooden furniture?

In the fight against the problem of how to clean the wooden kitchen furniture from grease, a mixture of vodka and vinegar will help. To prepare it, you need to mix vodka and vinegar in equal parts, add a few drops of essential oil (tea tree, eucalyptus), then pour the liquid into a spray bottle and spray on greasy surfaces. Such a mixture will not damage either lacquered or untreated wooden kitchens, and you will not have to worry about greasy stains. However, it is still worth testing any new product on an inconspicuous surface before using it.

How to remove white spots on a wooden table?

The most common white stains on a wooden table are from cups. How to clean a wooden table from such stains? Pretty simple:

If the marks are especially stubborn, you can leave a little salt mixed with oil on the white marks for several hours, and then wipe them dry.

How to get rid of mold on wooden furniture?

There is another question that worries a lot of people - how to get rid of mold on wooden furniture? Mold grows in damp rooms and is very difficult to eradicate.

Be sure to disinfect surfaces with disinfectants such as Glorix for delicate surfaces to kill bacteria and prevent the spread of fungus to other surfaces in the house. To do this, you need to apply a little product on a damp cloth, wipe the wooden surface, leave for a few minutes and rinse off with a sponge or cloth. Be sure to test the new product before use and carefully read the instructions for use.

Each type of wood has its own methods for cleaning and polishing. Before using any of the products suggested in our article, first make sure that it is suitable for use on your particular type of wood.

How to clean carved wood furniture: practical tips

More

Solid wood decor

More

Polyurethane decor

More

MDF products

More

House carving

9009four More

Polyurethane kits

More

Polyurethane capitals

More

Polyurethane sockets

More

Polyurethane pads

More

Polyurethane molding

More

Polyurethane brackets

More

Polyurethane mascarons

More

Decor PU for moldings

More

Polyurethane gratings

More

Polyurethane tops

Carved natural wood furniture is an exquisite decoration for any home. The luxurious appearance and unique characteristics of wooden products leave no chance for other analogues, and therefore today you can see the same sofa, chair or staircase made of precious wood in almost any house or apartment.

In order for furniture or decorative products made of natural wood to look beautiful and not lose their natural luxury, it is important to ensure proper and competent care for them. First of all, this concerns the cleaning of dust and dirt (including obsolete ones) from the varnished surface of products.

Timely and competent care of items made of natural wood, including their cleaning from dust, will help to significantly extend their service life and preserve the beauty of their appearance.

It is possible to order from the company "Stavros" a staircase made of precious wood , furniture or interior decor details. Favorable prices, quality assurance, fulfillment of orders of any complexity.

Learn more