3 Tips for Cleaning and Polishing Wood Furniture

by Pristine Beers | White Lilac Cleaning - August 30, 2021

Alaskans love their wood furniture, and it’s easy to see why. Wood is a timeless and durable material, and it gives a home a warm and earthy feel. However, unlike other materials, wood needs to be maintained regularly in order to retain its gorgeous look and functionality. 

The easiest way to ensure the wood furnishings at your Palmer, AK, home stay shiny and spotless at all times is to outsource this task to professional house cleaners. But what if you don’t have the time to call in the experts, or if you simply want the satisfaction of doing it yourself? 

If so, you’re in luck, because we have prepared a brief guide that will help you take your wood cleaning to the next level! Read on to learn more.

How to clean wood furniture?

Did you know that caring for wood furniture is actually quite simple? You don’t need any expensive cleaning agents to get even the most stubborn stains out. 

Here are our top 3 tips for cleaning wood furniture:

1. Dust regularly

Dust is an inevitable and unwelcome guest in everyone’s homes, so we should try our best to keep it away from our furniture, clothes, and food. Furthermore, if you’re allergic to dust, dusting should be something you do on a daily basis.

A damp microfiber cloth works wonders when it comes to dusting wood furniture. It doesn’t matter if you’re cleaning wooden countertops or just the top of a bookshelf: a bit of moisture collects all the dust. The important thing to remember here is to not soak the microfiber cloth in water, as too much moisture can damage the wood.

If you notice a watery streak on your surfaces after dusting, give them another wipe down with a dry cloth to remove the excess liquid. Doing this regularly will ensure that your wood is in a healthy condition. Don’t forget to apply this rule when you’re mopping your hardwood floors, as letting them stay wet can cause the wood to swell.

2. Air out the funky odors

It’s completely normal for your furniture to start smelling old after only a few months. This can happen if it was exposed to any type of moisture or if it’s placed in the darker corner of the room. If you notice your wardrobe or drawers have a weird smell, here’s what you should do.

Talcum powder or baking soda can be great at absorbing moisture and odors, so try pouring some on the affected area and leave it for a few hours. They are safe agents for the household, so they are not toxic for the wood or your skin. 

Another thing you can do is to air out your furniture. Place it outside when the weather is warm and there is no humidity in the air. Make sure to keep it in the shade as sunlight can damage the wood. Airing it out helps restore the health of the wood and lets any excess moisture evaporate.

3. Remove stains with soap and water

People usually get headaches when they have to choose the perfect cleaning product for wood since there are so many options. Sometimes it can happen that they choose the wrong cleaner and end up damaging the wood. This is a common mistake when cleaning wood flooring.

This might shock you, but you don’t need a special wood cleaning product to get rid of stubborn stains and grime on your furniture. All you need is a bit of dish soap and lukewarm water. For a more thorough clean, add some salt. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain for best results. Afterwards, go over the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.

If the dirt is trapped in deeper and hard-to-reach dents, use an old toothbrush and salt mixed with a drop of dish soap. You’ll be satisfied with the result.

How to polish wood furniture?

There is also the right and wrong way to do this. One of the wrong ways is by using olive oil, as it makes the wood sticky and tends to attract dust. Some natural options can be good, but olive oil alone isn’t recommended.

You can try applying a bit of beeswax on a microfiber cloth and buffing it in the wood. It serves as a protective coat that repels moisture and gives the furniture a beautiful natural shine. Again, you should buff in the direction of the wood grain, so the shine can be even and the product doesn’t get stuck in the dents.

Where in Palmer, AK, can I find dependable house cleaners?

If you’d like an easy way to make sure your wood furniture always looks and smells great, contact White Lilac! We will connect you with highly reliable and experienced cleaners in Palmer who will give your furniture the best possible treatment, regardless of material. 

Take a day off and visit Alaska Raceway Park with your friends and family, while we give you the gift of a squeaky clean home. Give us a call today!