Homemade Polishing & Buffing Compound

Polishing and buffing objects can also help repel dirt and debris and keep your home cleaner in the end. Use homemade methods and compounds to save money on buying commercial polishing and buffing solutions.

Polishing Silver

Toothpaste works to polish silver by gently buffing out very small particles of dirt so that the silver can shine bright. To use it, apply a small amount of toothpaste to a cloth and work the toothpaste into the silver surface. Work in circular motions until the silver is bright and shiny. Rinse off the toothpaste and buff the silver dry with a clean cloth.

Polishing Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular material for many home appliances. The metal, however, can show fingerprints easily. Remove these prints and polish the stainless steel by rubbing vegetable oil over the stainless steel until it is bright and shiny. Buff off the oil with another clean cloth until the appliance is clean but does not feel oily. Leaving too much on the stainless steel will actually attract dirt and dust.

Wood Floor Polish

Wood floors can get dull over time. Sometimes this is because they are dirty and other times it is because you were not able to rinse the wood floor cleaner off them completely. To polish the floors, mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part vegetable oil. Rub the solution over the floors with a clean cloth. Then, finish by buffing it off with another clean cloth.

Furniture Polish

Wood furniture is often finished differently than wood floors and, as such, it should always be treated with different polishes and cleaners. To polish wood furniture, mix four drops lemon oil in 1/2 cup warm water. Spray the solution into a cloth so that the cloth is slightly damp. Rub the cloth over the furniture until it is completely clean and shiny. Buff the polish off with another clean cloth. Don’t use this process on unfinished furniture.