Classic wood furniture never goes out of style and is often featured in farmhouse, vintage, and midcentury modern styles as family heirlooms and flea market finds. However, wood furniture can also be frustrating to clean. Over time, it tends to show dirt that can’t be removed with a duster. And sometimes, even if you try to clean it, shiny streaks are left behind.
When it comes to wood furniture maintenance, there are a number of terms that get tossed around, such as dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing. While experts have varying opinions on wood furniture care, the technique you use will depend on the finish.
What’s the best way to dust wood furniture? Learn how to clean grime off, plus find care tips to keep decades-old pieces looking new.
How to Dust Wood Furniture
To keep wood furniture in its best shape, dust frequently. Dust can cause airborne deposits that eventually build up in a filmy layer and scratch the surface of wood furniture. Leaving dust on your furniture can also decrease your indoor air quality, trigger allergies, or be harmful to those with asthma. Most dust lives in fabric, so try to minimize the dust sent into the air by regularly vacuuming carpets or upholstery as well.
What You Need
- Microfiber cloth
- Terrycloth towel
- Feather duster (optional)
Step 1: Use the Right Tool
When searching for a dusting tool for wood furniture, choose something that dust will cling to, rather than something that will pick it up only to spew it out into the air. Dry, soft cloths and feather dusters will effectively remove dust from wood furniture.
Step 2: Dust Furniture
To properly dust furniture, capture and remove dust as opposed to spreading it around the surface. To avoid scattering the dust into the air, where it’ll float until landing back on furniture surfaces, very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth before wiping down. Remove excess moisture with a dry terry towel.
How to Clean Wood Furniture
When cleaning wood furnishings, never use all-purpose cleaning sprays, such as the kind used on kitchen tables, unless your furniture has a plastic coating. If you’ve used wood sprays and polishes in the past or suspect that furniture has been polished with them, be aware that these residues can interfere with refinishing and may need professional attention.
What You Need
- Olive oil
- Denatured alcohol
- Gum turpentine
- Strained lemon juice
- Soft cloth
- Clean cloth
- Soap (optional)
- Water (optional)
- Lint-free cloth (optional)
Be careful when mixing household cleaners—store-bought or homemade—as fumes and gases can become toxic and lead to harmful secondary effects.
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaner
To revive grimy wood furniture, mix equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine, and strained lemon juice.
Step 2: Apply and Buff
Apply with a soft cloth and buff with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Remove Sticky Spots
Sticky spots may need to be treated with soap and water. To do this, dip a lint-free cloth in mild soap or detergent dissolved in water, wring the cloth nearly dry, and wipe the area. Rinse and immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth.
How to Apply Furniture Paste Wax
Typically during manufacture, varnish, polyurethane, or shellac is applied to wood to protect the surface. Applying wax or polish protects the manufacturer’s finish and helps to reduce surface scratches. Wax provides a hard finish and long-lasting protection, doesn’t smear, and is more durable than sprays or polishes.
Wax needs to be applied to furniture correctly, or it can cause streaks and a cloudy appearance. To properly apply furniture wax to restore shine in your wood furnishings, remember to always apply wax in light coats, rubbing into the surface with the grain.
What You Need
- Paste wax or liquid wax specifically for furniture
- 100% cotton fabric cloths
- Electric drill or power driller
- Lamb’s wool duster
Step 1: Prepare Wax
Put a spoonful of wood furniture wax, about the size of a golf ball, in a square of 100% cotton fabric. Wrap the fabric around the wax ball and knead it until soft.
Step 2: Wax and Wipe
Rub the wax-saturated fabric on the surface of the furniture, one small area at a time, until the surface dulls. Wipe off the excess wax with a clean, soft cotton cloth. Repeat waxing and wiping until the entire piece of wood furniture is waxed. If you notice a streak, keep wiping to remove excess wax.
Step 3: Polish and Buff
Polish wood furniture with a soft cloth or lamb’s-wool pad attached to an electric drill or power buffer. If the wax smears, wipe with a soft cloth and continue buffing.
