Types of Furniture Wax

Polishing your furniture helps keep it looking its best. Furniture polish helps protect wood finishes from water spots and rings as well as giving it a patina that only gets better with age.

Function

Furniture polish cleans and polishes furniture. It protects furniture from dust and grime.

Types

Aerosols or spray polishes that are packed under high pressure are the most convenient to use.

Liquid polishes are waxes, oils and organic solvents in water. They are easy to apply with a clean cloth and leave a shine on furniture until the polish dries.

Semi-solid polishes, like paste wax, should be used with care and sparingly or there will be a wax build-up on your furniture.

Warnings

While the oil in furniture polish shines and protects wood, it doesn't clean it.

Aerosol polishes, while convenient, can damage wood and should be tested on a small portion of wood first. They are also highly flammable.

There are health risks associated with furniture polish. Children can mistake liquid polish in bottles for something that is safe to drink. The fumes from aerosol polishes are toxic.

Tips

You can make your own furniture polish by mixing equal parts white vinegar and olive oil in a bottle with a cap so that you can shake it.

Another homemade furniture polish recipe is to mix equal parts olive oil and lemon essential oil.

Fun Fact

Beeswax is readily available as furniture polish and is also used as a wood finish.

References

• Homemade Furniture Polish
• Beeswax
• Furniture Polish