Last updated on July 26th, 2022
Wooden furniture is a symbol of luxury and style. Be it the intricate grain or the unique patterns and texture of the wood, each wooden log has a story to tell. It’s this richness that makes wood a coveted material where interior designing is concerned.
However, maintaining your wooden furniture’s exquisite charm and pristine condition is not easy by any measure. Coffee cup rings and scratches can tarnish the surface of your wooden furniture. So, how do you maintain the beauty of this natural material?
These wooden cleaning hacks can help you maintain and restore the glory of your prized furniture. Let’s check them out.
How to clean your wooden furniture
Be it a family heirloom steeped in history, or something you bought from a flea market, wooden furniture tends to collect dirt and grime over time. A simple dusting process won’t do the trick. For the best results, you must follow a cleaning routine that may entail dusting, cleaning, polishing, and waxing.
There are many tried and tested wood furniture cleaning tips doing the rounds. Let’s look at some.
1. Properly dusting wood furniture
Over time, dust builds into a thick film that can tarnish the surface of your wood furniture. Hence, dusting your wood furniture regularly is the number one tip for keeping them pristine.
Use a damp microfiber cloth when you start wiping down your furniture. Once your task is complete, use a dry terry towel to wipe off excess moisture. Lint-free cloths or clean cotton t-shirts are great for picking up dirt. You can use a feather duster for shaking up the dust as well.
2. Using the right cleaning liquids for your wooden furniture
All-purpose cleaning sprays are best avoided when cleaning your wood furniture. Water isn’t such a great idea either. So, how do you deal with sticky spots on your furniture? Wooden furniture cleaning hacks generally entail using a bit of soap and water.
Dip your lint-free cloth in mild soapy water and wring to remove excess moisture. Wipe the grimy area with a damp cloth. Then, rinse it and rewipe. Lastly, take a soft dry cloth and wipe off the surface.
3. Using wood cleaning hacks and remedies
Home remedies for cleaning wood furniture are your best bet. Pure olive oil is commonly used as a polishing agent. However, that can cause smears and will attract dust particles. Use it in combination with other ingredients to effectively clean your wooden furniture, per these homemade remedies:
1. Method One
Ingredients
Equal parts of denatured alcohol, olive oil, strained lemon juice, and gum turpentine
Method
Apply this solution gently to the wood surface, covering all the areas.
Take a soft cloth and give your wood furniture a good buffing.
2. Method Two
Ingredients
250 ml water, 1 tbsp olive oil, 250 ml vinegar
Method
Mix these three ingredients and put the solution in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution on the wood surface. You can use kitchen tissue paper if you like to rub the mixture into the wood using circular motions.
Go with the grain of the wood. Remove excess solution and give the wood a good rub with a dry cloth for a perfect shine.
3. Method Three
Ingredients
2 parts olive oil
2 parts vinegar
1 part lemon juice
Method
As a mild disinfectant, lemon juice works wonders on your wood furniture. Mix the ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle. Use the same method mentioned above to give your furniture a great shine.
4. Other home remedies for specific problems
Removing water stains from the wooden surface
Rub a bit of non-gel toothpaste to the stain. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste into it. If this isn’t effective, add an equal measure of baking soda to the toothpaste in some water. Wipe off the stain with this solution.
Removing tough stains
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and some water to make a paste. Take a soft cloth and rub the stains on the wooden surface.
A homemade polish containing olive oil and vinegar as per the recipe given under Method Two can work too. This is also effective for cleaning antique wood furniture.
Removing fungus and mold
Firstly, remove the fungal spores using a vacuum cleaner.
Add a mild cleaning agent such as shampoo to your water spray.
Spray the solution on the infected surface and let it seep into the wood. Around half a minute will do.
Rub the area using a sponge.
Once you have removed the fungus, dry off the surface with a towel.
You can use this method to tackle grime too.
Final thoughts
Wood furniture has a classic beauty in a league of its own. However, maintenance is the key to retaining this beauty. For more tips on furniture upkeep and home decor, check out Homebliss.
