Homeowners have long relished the beauty, versatility, and toughness of wood furniture- and above all, they’ve appreciated its low maintenance. Wood furniture survives on its own, requiring little intervention. However it is still handy to know how to properly clean your wooden furniture to renew its appearance and ensure its longevity. Follow these steps to restore a wood finish to impeccable condition without inadvertently causing damage.
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.
First option: Dish soap
Start out with perhaps the humblest of household cleaners: liquid dish soap.
Add a drop of liquid dish soap to a water-moistened cotton ball.
Next, wipe the cotton ball on an inconspicuous part of the furniture, such as the inside of a chair leg. If the detergent spoils 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.
Next step if the first doesn't suffice : Mineral spirits
If you want to see if you can get your furniture a little cleaner, the next thing to try is mineral spirits. Be sure to follow the printed instructions on the spirit bottle for safe use. Working in a well-ventilated area is a must for this option.
Though mineral spirits should be harmless to wood finishes, you should still test the treatment on an inconspicuous part of the furniture to make 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.
Consider refinishing
If the finish reacted negatively when you tested the mineral spirits on your furniture you’ll likely need to refinish the piece to truly restore it.
To determine the type of finish that is currently on your furniture, dab some denatured alcohol onto a cotton swab and test it in a small and hidden 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.
Finally, 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 apply the wax liberally with a cloth, always being sure to rub in the direction of the wood grain. Afterward, buff with a clean cloth.
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