How to Clean Wood Paneling

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Keeping wood paneling clean and shiny is easier than you might think. Although wood paneling may look like real wood, keep in mind that it has a protective coating to maintain a luster and protect the wood. When you clean paneling, you are really cleaning the protective finish. Unless the coating is damaged, you never touch the natural wood itself. All you really need is a mild detergent and water for those soiled areas and routine care. Oil soaps are an option, but it is not necessary to use oil soaps for routine maintenance of paneling. Follow these easy steps to keep your paneling clean and shiny.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Mild dish detergent
Oil soap (optional)
2 clean soft rags
Sponge mop (optional)
Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
Duster (optional)

Step1

For routine cleaning, remove all surface dust with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or with a duster. For hard to reach places, a long handled duster will work great.

Step2

Mix a bucket of warm water with a little dish detergent. You do not want a lot of soapy bubbles. Just a little will go a long way and the detergent will cut any grease and grime that may have build up on your paneling.

Step3

Begin washing the paneling from the bottom and work your way up. This will help in preventing drip lines that will be difficult to clean off. Rinse and dry with a soft dry cloth. Buff to a shine.

Step4

Work in small sections and rinse and dry as you go. If water and detergent is left on the surface for too long, it will create a white haze on the paneling.

Step5

If a deeper cleaning is needed, a good oil soap, like Murphy's Oil Soap may be in order. The advantage of an oil soap is that it will clean the dirt and grime and leave a shine at the same time. Once you have completed a deep cleaning with oil soap, maintain paneling by following the directions for routine care.

Tips & Warnings

You may prefer to use a clean sponge mop to wash the surface of the walls. Be careful to avoid drip lines and always rinse and dry the paneling. To dry the walls with this method, simply cover the end of the mop with an absorbent cloth and scrub dry.
You can make your own oil soap by using a mild detergent and a few drops of vegetable oil in warm water. Test for results before using on paneling.
Avoid harsh chemicals that may damage the finish on your paneling. Always test a small out of the way section to see the results before tackling the whole wall.