Wooden furniture is not easy to clean because polishes and dust leave a dark film on tables, chairs, and shelves. Many companies advertise cleaning products to make household chores convenient and easy. But these cleaning items may have elements that can do more harm than you may know. There are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives and safe solutions to clean wooden furniture. In this article, we’re going to give you some recipes and tips on how to clean old wood furniture naturally.
How to Clean Old Wood Furniture Naturally
Great for daily dusting, this technique cleans wood surfaces and eliminates soil. The spraying solution smells good and simultaneously helps your dusting spray act as an air freshener.
How to Make Simple Wood Cleaner and Polisher
The following list contains recipes and ideas for your DIY cleaning effort.
When you scrub hardwood floors or chairs that are deeply soiled, you might need to use a number of these recipes, or use the same one multiple times. Get ready to spend the time to get the job finished correctly, and you’ll be pleased with the outcome.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is glossy, moisturizing, and preserving wood. Instead of olive oil, several people use mineral oil, but I chose not to. Mineral oil is a derivative of petroleum; hence it is neither safe or renewable. Mineral oil lasts longer than olive oil, but producing this homemade wood cleaner in smaller quantities will easily solve the issue.
White Vinegar
Vinegar slices through the greasy, gritty, yuckiness that to stick to the dishes. It even disinfects slightly. When you are using this apple cider vinegar in dark woods, it is a perfect choice.
Lemon Juice
Lemon extract is also a gentle disinfectant. It gives a sweet fresh smell to your latest homemade wood cleaner.
Vegetables Glycerin
Glycerin tends to make the wood shiny because this recipe includes vegetable glycerin that I strongly recommend. Some products utilize vegetable glycerin in all of the DIY recipes and household chores.
Lavender Oil
Lavender and lemon juice make a perfect mix with a delicate, healthy smell.
Steps on How to Clean Old Wood Furniture Naturally
Learning how to clean old wood furniture naturally for everyday use or restoring wood takes practice and discipline, here’s how.
For Everyday Use
- In a spray bottle/pot, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar and apply one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Fill in the unused spray container with all the items. Spray on the surface or rub directly, then wipe off.
- Be sure to shake the solution regularly, and as we all know: oil and water/vinegar don’t blend well.
For Restoring Wood or Occasional Heavy Duty Polishing
- In a pan, combine one tablespoon of vinegar with three tablespoons of olive oil. Blend well.
- Soak a rag into the mixture, then apply and polish the wood.
- This creates a tiny patch, so measure it according to your needs.
When I clean my old wood furniture, I rendered the recipe in such a small amount.
Tips and Tricks on How to Clean Old Wood Furniture Naturally
Here’s how to clean old wood furniture naturally or any other problems.
Remove Old Polish
Understanding how to clean old wooden furniture with years of polish buildup can help revive an antique. Drop two bags of tea into hot water. Let the tea cool down to room temperature, take a loose rag, wipe the rag to the wood, and wash afterward. The tea’s tannic acid is perfect for wood survival. You’re going to be shocked how the wood can shine.
Remove Water Stains
If someone has set a hot or cold drink on a table, place your non-gel toothpaste on the spot and massage it with a smooth cloth until it removes the stain. For tough streaks, combine the baking soda and toothpaste in similar sections. Wipe off the toothpaste and dry properly with a cool, moist towel.
Erase Difficult Marks
Mix 1 spoonful of baking soda and one tablespoon of water into a thin paste to clear an ink spot. Apply to the mark, then massage softly with a soft cloth until the mark is gone. Wipe off the toothpaste and dry properly with a cool, wet towel.
Wipe a coat of wood polish on it until your furniture is clean to protect the finish and add more brightness. Mixing 1 cup of olive oil with 1/4 cup of white vinegar may also produce a quick shine. Pour it over a smooth fabric and press it into the wood, rubbing the grain with it.
Things to Know When Using DIY Wood Cleaners
Soak a soft cloth with the solution for stubborn areas, and repeat cleaning the wood as desired. If you haven’t used some DIY wood cleaner yet, check the solution by applying on an inconspicuous region like the furniture’s bottom or back to avoid damage.
With the handmade wood polish, your floors can shine. If you choose to use this recipe as scented DIY wooden floor cleaners, apply lavender oil or some of the essential oils you want.
Apple cider vinegar extracts grime and oil trapped on furniture, while lemon juice serves as a disinfectant. Such products, when mixed with olive oil, can moisturize and cover some wooden surfaces.
Conclusion
These safe and non-toxic recipes are easy to make, and most ingredients are available in your kitchen laying around. Knowing the wood finish is critical when it comes to determining how to clean old wood furniture naturally. You can use any of these methods as much as you want. Get more tips on furniture care.