How to Make Cherry Wood Furniture Shine

Cherry wood is considered an exotic hardwood.

Cherry wood furniture has rich reddish brown hues that intensify and become more beautiful with age. Although extremely wear resistant, cherry wood furniture may eventually become dull. Failure to regularly clean cherry hardwood allows abrasive grime particles to accumulate on the furniture and potentially dull its shiny surface. Since cherry wood furniture pieces are lifetime investments, adequate maintenance is essential. Fortunately, basic cleaning and polishing of cherry wood furniture generally restores its shine and overall beauty.

Things You'll Need

• 4 lint-free cloths
• Aerosol furniture polish

Instructions

1. Wipe the entire piece of cherry wood furniture with a dry, lint-free cloth. Remove as much dust as possible.

2. Moisten another cloth with water. Wring the cloth thoroughly, then wipe the cherry wood furniture to lift stubborn grime.

3. Wipe the cherry wood using another dry cloth. Leave no moisture on the wood.

4. Spray the entire furniture piece evenly with aerosol furniture polish.

5. Buff the entire cherry wood surface with another dry cloth. Continue buffing the furniture until the cherry wood shines. Absorb all excess polish from the furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute clear wood paste wax for aerosol furniture polish.

• Dirty cloths can scratch cherry wood furniture.

• Abrasive cleaning products scratch cherry wood furniture.

References

• Northwest Fine Woodworking: Furniture-Wood Types - Cherry
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension; Selecting Wood Furniture; Dr. Leona Hawks; 1987
• The Flooring Lady: Cherry Hardwood Flooring
• The University of Georgia; How to Care for Your Furnishings; Dale Dorman