How to Clean an Antique Oak Desk
An antique oak desk requires special cleaning to safely remove dirt, dust and other grime. Using a commercial furniture polish or spray -- as you would on other wood furniture -- can result in irreversible damage to the oak itself. Use only select products and methods on your antique oak desk to ensure proper cleaning without ruining it in the process. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Rubber cleaning gloves
- 2 tbsp. gum turpentine
- 4 tbsp. boiled linseed oil
- Soft cloths
Instructions
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1
Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of water, as hot as you can stand it. Protect your hands from the water by wearing rubber cleaning gloves.
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2
Add 2 tbsp. of gum turpentine and 4 tbsp. of boiled linseed oil. You can find both of these products at most home improvement centers. Mix up the ingredients with your hands.
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3
Dip a soft cloth into the cleaning mixture and wring it out very well.
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4
Wash the oak desk with the rag and cleaning solution. Rinse and wring out the rag often while cleaning.
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5
Buff the oak desk with a dry, soft cloth to remove all moisture.
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Tips & Warnings
An alternative way to clean antique oak is to wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened with all-purpose glass cleaner. Buff the desk with a soft cloth after cleaning.
Gum turpentine is also referred to as spirit of turpentine, wood turpentine or oil of turpentine.
Work in a well-ventilated area when using gum turpentine. This solvent is harmful if swallowed, absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Avoid skin contact with gum turpentine. Gum turpentine is also highly flammable, so keep it away from flames and heat.
