Cleaning and caring for wood furniture is a topic that tends to be more sensitive, for obvious reasons. First of all, wooden furniture is more expensive compared to its cheaper substitutes. Thus, improper cleaning methods can cost you some serious money, not to mention your favorite pieces that you barely got your hands on during a sale or an auction. You may have also inherited your late grandfather’s Venetian lacquered closet wardrobe, or a vintage rosewood armoire that you could not stand to lose.
So you may have become a little more concerned on how to clean and maintain your wood furniture, and are now searching for a few hidden secrets on how to do that. You are interested in something more than the generic over-the-counter furniture cleaners that often times leave stains on furniture, or completely damage it. To come to your help, here are a few of these secrets that any person who appreciates wood furniture at its true value should become familiar with.
How To Clean Unfinished Wood
This is by far the simplest and most obvious cleaning “secret” that you should know. It is not truly a secret, since it is so obvious, yet not a lot of people know or use it. Instead, they opt for expensive furniture cleaners that are filled with toxins and harmful chemicals for both the wood and the human health.
In case you have furniture items made of unfinished wood, use a dry microfiber towel or piece of cloth to effectively clean them. Be careful, as moisture can and most likely will parch the wooden pieces. Not sure if your furniture is made from unfinished wood? No worries, there is a simple way of finding out. You need to drop a very small amount of water to a more inconspicuous surface. If you notice it beads, this means the furniture is covered in protective layers of varnish. If you see the wood absorbing the drops of water, leaving marks, you are looking at unfinished wood.
How To Make Your Own Furniture Polish
- Furniture polish is supposed to bring out the shine of your wood furniture, while further protecting it. Unfortunately, not all wood finishes are the same. Different varnishes require different polish solutions. So the idea that you could use one of the over the-counter all-in-one products is simply a myth.
- Some types of polish have been known to cause irreversible damage to certain types of wood. So make sure you do not fall into this trap and risk dulling the finish and have build ups forming over the years.
- To be on the safe side, you can make your own wood furniture cleaning mix with one part white vinegar and three parts olive oil. Pour the mix into a spray bottle and shake it well until the ingredients have blended. Spray it onto a soft cotton cloth and buff your furniture with it. Do not repeat the process too often, or you will risk dealing with a sticky build-up that will attract more dust.
- Vinegar is known to act as an excellent cleaner, while the olive oil will effectively moisturize the wood.
- It is possible to use the same mix on your antique furniture also. Just keep in mind that furniture that is old or made from exotic woods usually has very specific cleaning requirements. You may want to google them before using this mix.
How To Get Rid Of The Build Up
- If you are noticing streaks on your furniture that you cannot seem to be able to get rid of, you are most likely looking at wood that has gotten dulled out because of excessive polish build up. What you can do is use a cleaner that is based on vegetables – yes, you read that right!
- Let is sit on the wood for a few minutes and get you rid of the nasty build up. Next, use a cloth made of cotton to wipe it clean. You should be able to find enzyme cleaners that are free of odor and also eco-friendly in stores.
- Read the instructions carefully and do not exceed the dwell times. The enzymes will break down the build up and you will once more be able to see the natural shine of the wood.
- You can also use a few bags of black tea for similar results. Let the tea boil in water for 10 minutes. Just make sure it is plain black tea with no flavors. Let it cool and soak a cotton cloth into it. Place it over the wood furniture and leave it on for a few seconds, then wipe. Thanks to the tannins in the black tea, the build up will vanish.
If you find these alternatives useful, but you simply do not have the time for them, and you also need help with the rest of your cleaning, get in touch with NYC Steam Cleaners NY, your number one furniture, carpet, and floor cleaners in New York. We rely on our hot water extraction cleaning methods and deep clean your upholstery. But we also provide delicate wood furniture cleaning cycles for at affordable rates. Get in touch with us today and let us schedule an appointment!
