How to Remove Wax Polish

Too much wax build-up leaves furniture looking dull.

High-quality wood furniture looks better and lasts longer when polished on a regular basis. However, after a while, the wax polish you use builds up, resulting in a dull appearance. Remove wax polish every few cleanings to keep your wood furniture clean and to maintain a glossy appearance without any build-up.

Things You'll Need

• Cheesecloth
• Wax polish remover
• #0000 steel wool
• Murphy's oil soap
• Cleaning cloth
• Lint-free cotton cloth

Instructions

1. 

   Remove build-up with wax polish remover.

   Apply wax polish remover to a dry cheesecloth. Rub on wood surface, folding the cheesecloth over frequently and applying more polish remover to the clean area. Repeat until the wax polish build-up is gone.

2. 

   Wipe with the grain of the wood.

   If the wax polish build-up on your furniture is thick and/or has been there a long time, you may need something with a little more buffing power. Apply wax polish remover to a #0000 steel wool pad and wipe the surface of the wood, going in the direction of the grain. Let the polish remover sit on the wood surface for a minute or two.

3. Pour a little Murphy's oil soap on a damp cleaning cloth and gently wipe away any residue or wax polish remaining.

4. 

   Drying your wood surface is the last step.

   Dry the wood surface using a lint-free cotton cloth. This final step dries the wood without leaving bits of cloth behind, which make the table appear dusty and can be frustrating to get rid of once you wax again.

Tips & Warnings

• A non-alkaline soap is less expensive and can also be used to remove wax polish with a bit more scrubbing.

• Don't give into temptation to scrub the wood surface. This will leave abrasions and scratches in the wood.

References

• Kingdom Restorations: Wood Furniture Tips

Resources

• Home Furnish: Wood Furniture Care