Wood Furniture Cleaning Techniques

There are furniture cleaner products that will remove waxy buildup. If you have been using a beeswax product, then you have been applying too much if you have buildup. You shouldn’t have to wax more than once or twice a year and just dust between applications. If you have been using a paste furniture wax like beeswax and you see ripples, you have applied too much. Polishes and oils should never be used over a furniture wax coat. The great thing about beeswax is that all you have to do is buff to restore shine. Avoid furniture waxes that contain any solvents, as they can destroy lacquer finish on furniture.

If you have been using some of the popular spray furniture polishes, many contain silicone. Silicone will build up, dull, and soften furniture finishes over time. And, they are noted for allowing fingerprints to show. These tend to be the TV advertised products.

It costs almost $1,000 to have a tabletop refinished, depending upon where you live. Thus, it is important to properly maintain your finish. Maintaining a wax finish is important to the maintenance and protection of a tabletop. Buy a high-quality, cabinetmaker’s wax, one designed specifically for wood furniture, at woodworking stores or through mail order catalogs or online on the Internet. Some notable brands include: Liberon’s Black Bison, Goddard’s, Butcher’s Wax, Antiquax, and Renaissance Wax. It is recommended that an oil-free, wood finisher’s 0000 steel wool is used to apply wax to avoid streaks and blurs. Cloth applications take much more effort. Apply wax in circular motion and finish off by rubbing along grain. On new furniture pieces, 3-4 light coats of wax applied at four to eight hour intervals is usually good to establish a good protective coating. Cotton diapers, old terry towel, or T-shirt is great for buffing.

Furniture experts recommend dusting weekly with a soft, dry, all-cotton cloth. Don’t use polishes or oils over your coat of protective wax. Wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent spotting. Use coasters under glasses and vases, and pads or trivets under hot dishes. Reapply a coat of wax when you can no longer buff the coating to a shine.

If you do not have a store in your area that has a furniture wax remover, search on the Internet. Then provide your tabletop with a protective finish and maintain as recommended.

The type of finish on the wood, not the type of wood, determines how to care for it, clean it, and repair damage; so know what kind of finish it has. Finishes may be soft ( oiled ) or hard ( lacquer, shellac, varnish, or polyurethane ), or painted. Ask when buying new furniture.

If you know which finish is on your wood furniture, follow the appropriate procedures. Excessive dampness, dryness, heat, or cold can damage wood furniture. Sunlight can change the color. Rubber or plastic mats should not be used unless marked safe for wood, since some may soften or stain the finish. Wipe up spills at once to prevent spots that require refinishing.

Polish not more than 3-4 times a year unless it gets heavy use, with a polish recommended for the kind of finish. Too much polish may build up a cloudy film; wipe off polish before it dries completely.

Do not mix types of polish. Oil causes wax to become gummy. Clean the furniture surface thoroughly before changing furniture care products.

Regular Cleaning

Vacuuming with a dusting brush attachment gently removes dust from furniture surfaces, preventing buildup. If no vacuum cleaner, use a clean soft cloth, turning it often, or soft paper towels to pick up dust. Dust furniture before vacuuming floors. If the finish is water resistant, a barely dampened towel or cloth will pick up dust.

Pads, mats and coasters on furniture, mats under vases, glasses, cups etc. protect them from spills and stains, and from heated objects. Do not use plastic or rubber on natural wood surfaces as they may soften and damage finish. Use felt under objects set on top of furniture that could scratch it.