How to Clean Wood Furniture

Wood furniture is desirable for it's warm, timeless look and durability. Whether your furniture is oiled, painted or polished, there are specialty cleaning products to keep your wood looking new for years. You can also use common household items to keep your wood furniture in tip-top shape. Follow these simple steps to clean your wood furniture.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Gather product information about your wood furniture. If you have old wood furniture and are unsure of the type of wood or treatment used on the wood, take a small piece, such as a chair, to a furniture store and ask an expert. You can ruin your furniture by using the incorrect products.

2. Wipe oiled wood furniture daily with a soft cloth to remove dust. If you notice white spots on oiled wood, remove them using a small amount of toothpaste.

3. Make homemade furniture oil to clean wood furniture using equal parts boiled linseed oil and turpentine. Mix ingredients thoroughly and apply with the grain of the wood using a soft cloth. This concoction or any commercial furniture oil will penetrate the wood's pores and restore natural luster if used only a few times per year.

4. Vacuum painted wood furniture daily using a brush attachment. Gently wiping the surface with a soft, dry cloth will work just as well.

5. Remove smudges and fingerprints from painted wood furniture using a damp sponge. Wring out the sponge thoroughly, as excess moisture can warp or stain wood.

6. Clean polished wood furniture using liquid furniture polish, paste wax, or aerosol. Paste wax fills scratches and only needs to be applied two times per year; liquid is easier to apply than paste, but requires more frequent application, at three to four times per year; aerosol polish is easiest to apply, but contains silicone which can make your furniture slippery and may cause buildup.

Tips & Warnings

• Properly care for your wood furniture beyond cleaning. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold can cause your furniture to fade or crack. If you take time to educate yourself about your furniture and appropriate care, you will enjoy it for a lifetime.
• Special woods like rattan, bamboo, and wicker require application of moisture to prevent cracking and fraying. Spray specialty wood furniture with water occasionally to condition, with the exception of rush which can be damaged by excess moisture.
• Wear cotton gloves while polishing wood furniture to avoid leaving fingerprints on the surface.
• Turpentine is flammable and produces strong fumes. Use only in a well-ventilated area and never use around open flame or lit cigarettes.
• Wear rubber gloves when mixing and applying the turpentine and linseed oil mixture to avoid contact with skin.