How to Clean Heavy Dirt Buildup From Wood Furniture
You can often restore the beauty of your wood furniture with a simple cleaning. However, it's important to know what kind of wood your furniture is made of, and what kind of finish you're dealing with. You can ruin some furniture, especially antique furniture, by using incorrect cleaning methods.
If you are uncertain, take a small item representative of what you're cleaning to a professional furniture restorer and ask for an assessment. If the furniture is too big to move, take photos to the professional.
Things You Will Need
- Boiled linseed oil
- Turpentine
- White vinegar
- Paint stir stick
- Solvent-based furniture cleaner
- Mineral spirits
- Soft rags
- Metal pick
- Toothbrush or small brush
- Water-resistant drop cloth or cardboard
- Rubber gloves
- Disposable container
- Vacuum with brush attachment
Tip
Clean your furniture in a well-ventilated area. Protect your floor by placing the furniture to be cleaned on top of a waterproof or water-resistant drop cloth.
Warning
Dispose of the drop cloths or cardboard, rags, containers and any remaining cleaning liquid appropriately. The cleaning fluid is flammable, so use caution when disposing.
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Dust the furniture with soft rags. If necessary, vacuum crevices, using a brush attachment.
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Mix 1 pint of turpentine, 1 pint of boiled linseed oil, and 6 ounces of white vinegar in a disposable container for use on furniture with oil-based finishes. For lacquer finishes, use solvent-based furniture cleaner instead of the boiled linseed oil mixture. For polyurethane finishes, use mineral spirits.
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Dip a soft rag into the solution and begin wiping the grime off the furniture. Wipe with the grain of the wood. Keep your rag clean, but be careful not to soak the wood, which could raise the grain. Clean only until the grime is gone. Use a toothbrush for corners and crevices. If necessary, use a metal pick for deep crevices, but be careful not to scratch the wood. Wear rubber gloves while cleaning.
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Allow the furniture to dry, then buff with a clean rag.
The Drip Cap
- You can often restore the beauty of your wood furniture with a simple cleaning.
- For polyurethane finishes, use mineral spirits.
- Clean only until the grime is gone.
- If necessary, use a metal pick for deep crevices, but be careful not to scratch the wood.
References
Writer Bio
Matt Smolsky has been writing for more than 25 years. He wrote news, sports and feature stories for the "Omaha World-Herald" and other publications and has continued on in direct marketing and general advertising. He now writes for the web as well. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and journalism from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Photo Credits
- Michael Blann/Photodisc/Getty Images
- Michael Blann/Photodisc/Getty Images
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