Sunday, April 06, 2025

Tips for cleaning wooden furniture

October 6, 2022 08:16

Classic wooden furniture is never out of fashion. However, over time, it tends to collect dust and dirt that cannot be removed with a cloth.

Keeping wooden furniture in top condition is not easy, but it is not impossible. It will likely require some experience and attention to detail when it comes to stains. By learning the specific care and cleaning instructions when purchasing new or used furniture, you can make it easier to restore your wooden furniture.
How to dust wooden furniture

To keep your wooden furniture in top shape, keep up with regular dusting. Dust can create airborne particles that eventually build up and scratch the surface. Leaving dust on your furniture can also cause allergies or be harmful to those with asthma. What you need is:

Microfiber cloth

Towels

Feather dust filter

Step 1: Use the right tools

When looking for a dusting tool for wooden furniture, choose one that will stick to the dust, rather than something that will pick it up only to be blown out into the air. Soft, dry towels and feather dusters will effectively remove dust from wooden furniture.

Step 2: Dampen the towel

To properly dust furniture, catch and remove the dust rather than scattering it around the surface. To avoid scattering dust into the air, where it will float until it lands back on the furniture surface, very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth before wiping down. Remove excess moisture with a dry cotton towel.

How to clean wooden furniture

When cleaning wooden furniture, you should not use all-purpose cleaning sprays, such as those used on kitchen countertops, unless your furniture has a plastic finish. If you have previously used wood sprays and polishes or suspect that your furniture has been polished with them, be aware that these residues may interfere with the refinishing process. What you will need is:

Olive Oil and Wine

Resin

Lemon water

Soft clothes

Clean Cloth and Lint Free Cloth

Soap

Water

Step 1: Preparation

To refresh dirty wooden furniture, mix the following ingredients in equal proportions: olive oil, alcohol, turpentine and filtered lemon juice.

Step 2: Use

Use a soft cloth and polish with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Remove sticky stains

Stains may need to be treated with soap and water. To do this, dip a lint-free cloth in soap or a mild detergent dissolved in water, wring the cloth out until it is almost dry, and wipe the area. Rinse and dry immediately with a clean, soft towel.
How to use furniture wax

Typically, during the manufacturing process, a varnish is applied to the wood to protect the surface. Waxing or polishing protects the manufacturer’s finish and helps reduce surface scratches. Wax creates a hard, long-lasting protective finish that is smudge-proof and more durable than sprays or polishes.

Wax needs to be applied to furniture properly, otherwise it can cause streaks and a dull appearance. To properly wax furniture to restore the shine to your wooden furniture, always apply the wax in light coats, rubbing it into the grain. What you will need is:

Special wax or liquid wax for wood furniture

100% cotton fabric

Electric drill or electric cushion

Wool towel

Step 1: Prepare the wax

Place a golf ball sized spoonful of wax into a square of 100% cotton cloth. Wrap the cloth around the wax ball and knead until soft.

Step 2: Rub wax onto the surface

Rub the wax-soaked cloth over the surface of the furniture, in small areas at a time, until the surface is matte. Then wipe away any excess wax with a clean, soft cotton cloth.

Step 3: Polishing

Polish wood furniture with a soft cloth or fleece pad attached to an electric drill or power pad. If the wax smears, wipe it off with a soft cloth and continue polishing.

Step 4: Repeat and Maintain

For a lasting shine, apply a second coat of wax in the same manner. To maintain waxed furniture, dust with a lamb's wool duster. Do not use liquid or aerosol furniture polishes as they may dissolve the wax and leave a dull film.
How to clean old wooden furniture

If you have an old piece of wood furniture that has been in your family or is a delicate heirloom, you may want to treat it with a little more care. The three-step cleaning and care process below may be the best way to clean old wood furniture over time. What you’ll need is:

Steel wool

Commercial Finish Restoration Products

Lint-free cheesecloth

Orange conditioner or wax

Step 1: Clean annually

Clean furniture about once a year with a steel wool product.

Step 2: How to do it

Choose an area close to the wood stain you are treating and work the steel wool evenly over a small area at a time. Use light to medium pressure. Wipe clean immediately with a lint-free cloth or cheesecloth.
Step 3: Check monthly status

Use orange oil or wax oil monthly to prevent them from drying out and cracking.

How to clean mold on wooden furniture

If you do spot a moldy patch, here's how to clean mold and how to clean mold from wooden furniture. What you'll need is:

Vacuum with soft brush attachment

Soft fabric

Soap or mild detergent

Drinking water

Furniture wax

Step 1: Vacuum and clean

Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to suck up any dust. Then wipe the area with a cloth dipped in mild soap or water-soluble detergent and wrung out.

Step 2: Rinse and dry

Rinse and dry immediately with a clean soft cloth. To protect the new paint finish, apply furniture wax as described above.

How to repair surface scratches on wooden furniture

Scratches are almost inevitable with wooden furniture. Here’s how to remove scratches from wooden furniture. What you’ll need is:

Wax patch

Felt tip stylus

Wood filler

Color Filled Wax Stick

Step 1: Apply wax to the surface

If the top of the cloth is slightly scratched, apply paste wax or use a felt-tip pen to retouch.

Step 2: Treating Dark Scratches

Use wood filler or colored wax sticks available at home improvement stores. The best way to match the color of the filler is to match the color of the furniture, and apply several thin coats rather than one thick one.

According to VOV