Cleaning and maintaining wooden furniture properly: a practical guide for excellent results
Wooden furniture is a charming (and robust) addition in any home. That said, wooden furniture can have its problems, such as picking up stains, cracks developing and getting scratched - all detracting from its beauty and, in extreme cases, even its continued use. And this damage can be caused by incorrect cleaning of the wooden furniture (or the use of the wrong cleaning products).
The frequency you clean your wooden furniture obviously depends on the use you make of it, but once a week for light cleaning is standard. A more thorough cleaning is typically done once a month.
So, what's the best way to clean your wooden furniture? Well, check out the useful guide below:
Correct cleaning of wooden furniture
To properly clean your wooden furniture, you must first pay particular attention to the cleaning tools:
- To dust your furniture on a weekly basis, simply use a soft, damp microfibre cloth. This cloth will allow you to effectively remove dust without scratching the wood;
- For a more thorough cleaning, avoid using excessively aggressive chemical products, acids or abrasives which can easily damage the wood;
- Also pay attention to the use of water: too much water will cause the wood to swell and deform and will leave water stains.
If you notice any water stains on the wood while dusting, you can use a microfiber cloth soaked in warm water and Marseille soap (or a specific detergent for wood) on the stains to remove them. Avoid any risk of scratches by following the grain of the wood.
All-natural remedies for the proper cleaning of wooden furniture
If you are dealing with particularly stubborn stains, you can use all-natural products to clean your wooden furniture:
- Non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste can come to your aid to remove stubborn stains: rub the paste gently on the surface to be treated and remove with a soft, dry, clean cloth;
- Baking soda can also be useful in these cases: prepare a paste by mixing the baking soda in equal parts with water and apply the resulting paste to the stain using a soft cloth;
- A solution composed of 250 ml white vinegar in a liter of water will give great results; put this mixture into a spray bottle and spray directly on the stain to be treated (or dab on with a microfibre cloth). First test this mixture on a hidden part of the wood to ensure it will not cause any damage;
- In the case of particularly stubborn stains, you can add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to the above-described water and vinegar solution. The degreasing action of the dishwashing liquid will enhance the effect of the solution, and without causing any damage;
- Remember that it is important to dry the wood off carefully and thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth after cleaning and before polishing.
Following this useful guide, your wooden furniture will always be clean and free of scratches.
