How to Clean Antique Furniture

Antique furniture adds beauty and charm to your decor, especially if it is a one-of-a-kind item. However, if your furniture is dirty or has stains, it will not be very beautiful. You may be nervous about cleaning the antique if you are getting it ready to sell, for fear it may lose its value. Take these simple steps to clean antique furniture with everyday household items while not jeopardizing the condition of the furniture.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft bristle paintbrush
• Flour
• Vacuum cleaner
• Baking soda
• Soft cloths
• Saddle soap
• Lemon juice
• Paste wax
• Shoe brush
• Vinegar
• Salt

1. Keep a supply of dry soft cloths handy for your antique furniture. Several cloths will be needed to clean some items, including one to polish and one to buff.

2. Use a small soft bristle paintbrush to clean or dust crevices in furniture, such as the ornately carved legs of a chair.

3. Place shallow trays or cups of baking soda in antique dresser or cabinet drawers. The baking soda will neutralize odors. You can also use cat litter for this task.

4. Remove sticky residues from chewing gum or tape with lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon will break down the adhesives without damaging the furniture finish.

5. Mix a paste from flour, salt and vinegar to clean brass portions of antique furniture. Polish with a soft cloth, rinse and shine with a second cloth.

6. Lightly wax and buff antique wooden furniture with paste wax and soft cloths. Wood with its original finish will shine nicely after a waxing.

7. Clean leather with saddle soap and a very small amount of water. Make sure to dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth after cleaning.

8. Vacuum wooden furniture to pick up dust, being careful to not scratch the finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Old cotton T-shirts or similar fabrics are suggested for use as cloths. Disposable textured cloths may scratch a very delicate item.
• Do not use a wet or damp cloth to clean antique wooden furniture, as it can remove the finish. Always use a dry cloth.
• Do not polish gilded portions of antique furniture. The gilding may come off with cream polish. Leave it in the original condition to preserve the detailed work.
• Antique bronze will lose its patina if it is polished, which may lower its value. It might be preferable to leave the item in the condition in which you found or purchased it.