How to Clean Varnished Wood
When natural wood is coated with a protected varnish finish, you get both a gloss look plus a protective barrier that prolongs the like-new appearance of the wood. Varnished wood is fairly easy to clean, as the varnish is a flat, slick surface that most buildup can be wiped off of.

Things You Will Need
- Vinegar
- Linseed oil
- Bowl
- Water
- Cleaning rags
- Mop, optional
By mixing your own cleaning solution for the varnished wood, you will save both time and money.
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Dust the varnished wood with a cleaning rag or mop during your regular household cleaning routine. If sticky residue is left behind, dampen the rag or mop with warm water and wipe over the varnish again.
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Mix 2 portions linseed oil and 1 portion white vinegar in a bowl.
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Drizzle the combination over your cleaning rag or mop, and squeeze the rag or mop to saturate the material evenly.
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Wipe the mop or cloth over the varnish, wiping with the wood grain.
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Let the varnished wood air dry, and wipe the varnish with a dry rag or towel to remove excess cleaner residue off of the varnished wood.
Writer Bio
Mel Frank is a professional freelance writer with over 15 years of writing experience. She has completed a wide variety of writing assignments for a number of publications that include CNN and various websites. Frank received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from a prestigious university in Pennsylvania.
Photo Credits
- chair image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
- chair image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
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