How To Clean White Wood Furniture

White wood is most often used to make outdoor furniture, whether it is finished or unfinished. To keep these outdoor pieces looking new longer, clean your white wood furniture monthly during warm weather and again before storing for the winter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft-bristled brush Cleanser formulated for cleaning wood, such as an "oil soap" 2 plastic buckets Soft cleaning cloths

1. Remove surface dirt and grit with a dry, soft-bristled brush.

2. Follow manufacturer's instructions and mix a wood-cleaning solution in a bucket. Fill remaining bucket with clean, warm water.

3. Clean furniture with a soft cloth dipped in cleaning solution. Use gentle pressure and wipe along the wood grain, when possible.

4. Use a soft-bristled brush to apply cleaning solution on stained areas, being careful to scrub along the wood grain.

5. Rinse furniture using a clean, soft cloth dipped in warm water.

6. Dry furniture with a clean, soft cloth.

7. Brighten weather-worn wood. After cleaning thoroughly, apply a solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 2 gallons of warm water. Let sit on wood for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use chlorine bleach to clean or brighten wood, as it will cause the wood fibers to break down.