DIY How to Clean Your Wood Furniture

Wood furniture can look absolutely beautiful in a home. From elegant to modern, wood can conform to a multitude of styles. Many individuals may be turned off from wood furniture due to the fear of maintenance needed to keep it looking great. There is a variety of ways you can clean your wood furniture to keep it looking tidy and in great condition without harming it. Ensure before you try any methods on your own that it will be safe for the wood, some chemicals may destroy the appearance. There are also many finishes to wood furniture and different chemicals will react variously to each of them. Below are some great tips and methods to have your wood looking spectacular!

Vacuum and dust – This is a great way to safe and gently remove dirt from the furniture without harming it. Microfiber cloths work well as they are soft and will not scuff anything. You will want to use a dampened cloth to remove the dust, and immediately follow it up with a dry cloth. Leaving the wood wet or damp can lead to permanent damage.

If your wood is antique – You may want to keep the shine up to date with older wood furniture. You can do so by waxing the wood with carnauba paste wax. Add a very thin coat to the wood in the same direction as the grains of the wood. You’ll then need to buff it out until the wax becomes hard. Soft cotton such as T-shirts will work great for this job. Ensure that there are no smears or chunks at this point. You’ll want to use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the areas so that there is no left over debris; then allow the wax to fully dry.

Polish – To keep your wood looking its best, you’ll want to maintain polishing. There are a variety of protective polishes available at a multitude of stores such as Wal-Mart, Lowes, and Home Depot. You will simply follow the directions on the can and rub it in with a lint-free cloth. Be sure when shopping for a polish that you read the can to ensure that it is appropriate for your type of wood and finish.

Chewing gum – Cleaning chewing gum is surprisingly easy to do. You will simply need to have an ice cube and dry cloth ready. Place the ice onto the gum; be sure to use the dry cloth to immediately soak up any water droplets. Once the gum has hardened you can usually pull it right up with your fingers. If there are still remains left behind you can very gently scrape it up using an item such as the back side of a butter knife. Once done, rub the area with a cloth to ensure all debris is removed.

Nail Polish – First things first, never use a nail polish remover as it can severely damage the finish to your wood. If the paint is wet, you’ll want to rub it with a liquid solvent base wax. If the paint has fully dried, you’ll need to cover the entire spot with boiled linseed oil. This will soften the paint and allow you to wipe it clean. Repeat twice if some residue remains.