It is safe to say that traditional wooden furniture will never go out of style. In fact, antiques and flea market treasures made of wood are frequently used to decorate homes decorated in farmhouse, vintage, and mid-century modern designs.
On the other hand, when you clean wood furniture, it can be a real pain at times. This is because the passage of time causes it to acquire a film of grime or dirt that cannot be removed using a duster. In addition to that, even if you do your best to clean wooden furniture, there may be some bright streaks that still remain.
Dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing are some of the terminology that are thrown around while discussing the upkeep of wood furniture.
It is highly possible that you will need to perform each of these four cleaning procedures on a regular basis in order to maintain the wood furniture in your home looking its absolute best.
Although different people have different perspectives on how to care for wood furniture as well as how to make dull wood shine, the method that you use will be determined by the finish of the wooden piece.
Whether you are purchasing brand new or previously owned furniture, you should always look for precise care and cleaning instructions.
Keep reading to find out how to remove grime from wooden furniture as well as care suggestions that will keep wooden furniture items that are decades old still looking brand new.
Reasons Why Wooden Furniture Look Dull
After identifying the kind of finish that is on your hardwood floors or wooden furniture, you should be aware that there are seven frequent problems that can cause them to have a dull appearance.
You’re not doing much more than moving the dirt around
If you fail to sweep, dust mop, or vacuum the wood floor before you clean it, the dirt will simply be redistributed all over the floor if you use a filthy mop or if you use a mop that is already unclean.
Imagine that all of the grit, dust, and debris that was on the floor was captured in the cleaning solution instead of being left on the floor’s surface.
Your hardwood floor cleaner is really creating more issues than it is actually resolving.
It’s possible that many wood floor cleaner, like liquid waxes based on acrylic that promise to make your wood floors shine, can, in fact, make laminate flooring seem worse.
When placed on top of polyurethane finishes or paste wax, the floor may appear uneven or turn a milky white when the coating is applied. To get rid of the milky appearance that acrylic waxes leave behind, try applying mineral spirits and some elbow grease to a tiny section at a time.
To get the floors back to their original luster, though, you will need to strip them and apply a new coat of sealant. In addition to that, damaging laminate floor finishes can be caused by using strong chemicals, such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, undiluted vinegar, or pine oil.
Using an excessive amount of the product
Even if you follow all of the steps correctly, the appearance of the floors will suffer if you use an excessive amount of cleaning solution or water. When dealing with how to make dull wood shine, it is not always the case that more is better.
Leaving the task unfinished
A thorough buffing should be performed on a hardwood floor after it has been waxed or cleaned with a moist mop to remove any remaining residue and avoid streaks.
If this step is skipped, the job will not be done properly. To buff the finish and ensure that the floor is shining, all you need to do is use a dry cloth or microfiber mop.
The scratches have gotten out of hand
It is inevitable that your wooden floor or furniture will be scratched if you have animals in the house that have sharp claws, if you fail to place clean doormats inside and outside entrance areas, or if you frequently wear shoes with harsh heels inside the house.
Floors that have been scratched and scuffed look dreary. Just a little amount of preventive care may go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of them occurring.
A buildup of wax on the surface
If you use carnauba paste wax to create shine on your flooring without first sealing it with polyurethane, you run the risk of unattractive accumulation over time. However, if the floors were sealed with a polyurethane finish, the shine could be achieved using a polyurethane spray.
Even if you just use wax in the recommended manner once or twice a year, over time, it will accumulate and become dull in regions that see little foot traffic. Mineral spirits or one of the many other commercially available wax strippers can be used to remove paste wax.
It is necessary to refinish the floor
If there is foot traffic on the floor, the finish on the hardwood floor will not stay forever. Old hardwood floor made of solid wood can be refinished and resealed an unlimited number of times.
Even engineered and clean hardwood floors, which has a veneer that is thinner than natural hardwood floors shine, can be refinished and resealed multiple times before it finally needs to be replaced.
Natural Polishing For Wood Furniture
Lemon & Olive Oil Mix
Olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice should be combined in a ratio of one cup olive oil to one half cup lemon juice. Gently rub the dull wooden furniture in a circular motion with this solution poured onto a soft cloth. Let the mixture dry on the dry wood, pour additional polish onto the cloth, and buff the surface until it shines.
Beeswax & Olive Oil Polish
Half a cup of beeswax should be melted in a metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Blend together the melted wax and 1.5 cups of olive oil thoroughly. Place the mixture in a jar made of glass, and then store it in the refrigerator.
To use this mixture as a furniture polish, simply heat it for 20-30 seconds in the microwave. Spread some of the liquefied mixture onto a clean cloth, and then use gentle circular movements to work it into the surface of the wood.
After it dries, use another clean cloth to buff it in the same direction as the wood grain. This polish seals the wood to prevent moisture damage and replenishes lost moisture from within the wood. As a result, wood is given a warm and natural sheen.
White Vinegar & Olive Oil Mix
Combine half a cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of olive oil. Use a soft cloth drenched in the homemade polish, and do a circular motion to buff the furniture to a shiny wood finish. Let the mixture dry on the dry wood, pour additional polish on a cloth, and rub the surface until it shines.
The wood can be cleaned with lemon or white vinegar and nourished with olive oil. A healthy, long-lasting sheen is given upon your wood by using them.
Coconut Oil Polish
Your only materials are coconut oil and a cotton cloth. Start by wiping the hardwood surface down with some damp cleaning cloth. Now, drizzle some coconut oil over the cloth and use it to rub the wood in a circular manner. This homemade polish will restore the natural gloss and luster to your wooden surfaces.
Natural, homemade polishes are not only more cost-effective, but also safer for humans and the planet. They add luster and nourishment to your wooden possessions.
Mayonnaise
Who would have thought that mayonnaise can be used to cover stains on a wooden table by rubbing it over the affected area with a finger?.
Just give it some time to sit, preferably overnight. Lastly, use a dry, clean cloth to remove the mayonnaise. If you need to clean the wood, make sure you use a soft cloth and avoid using anything abrasive
Wax Crayon
Use a crayon of the same color as the wood finish to cover up any scuffs on the wood surface. Following thorough coverage, apply the blow dryer to its highest heat setting for five minutes to melt the crayon.
If you use a soft cloth after the crayon has cooled and solidified over the traces, it will remove all traces of the scuff marks. You should now have a perfect hardwood floor or wooden furniture. No more dull!
When Should Wooden Furniture Be Cleaned?
There is no predetermined schedule in place. Rather, everything is dependent on the current state of the wood. You should dust and polish your wooden furniture or hardwood flooring if you can see dust on it and if the floor finish appears dull or uneven.
Clean varnished furniture no more than once every week, as recommended by specialists. If you want to remove dust and clean your wooden surface, you should use a microfiber cloth and water.
And remember that wetness can cause wood to warp, so use only a dry towel on unpainted bare wood furniture and hardwood floors. Aside from that, think about adding an extra layer of protection by cleaning your furniture with beeswax.
Protecting And Cleaning Wood Furniture
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old proverb goes, so here are some techniques to guarantee that your hardwood furniture and/or flooring continue to remain in excellent condition:
- Make use of feeling pads: To prevent any scratching from occurring to the home ornamental characteristics that your wooden furniture pieces have, utilize felt pads.
- Place mats and coasters: In order to keep that dinner table looking presentable for a dinner party, you should use place mats and coasters. This will reduce heat and water marks, as well as additional mayonnaise washing.
- Quickly mop up any spills: Wipe away any crumbs or other debris as fast as you can to avoid giving it the chance to stick.
- Keep a safe distance from fireplaces and radiators: Wood can warp if it is placed too close to a heat source, so you need to give careful consideration to where you put your furniture.
How To Remove Previous Coats Of Polish
You’ll be able to breathe new life into an antique if you know how to clean ancient wood furniture that has a buildup of polish that dates back decades.
- Prepare two cups of tea by steeping one tea bag at a time in water that has been brought to a boil.
- Wait for the temperature of the tea to return to room temperature.
- Take a gentle cloth, dip it in the tea until it becomes damp, and then use it to wipe down the wood.
The tea’s tannic acid is great for protecting wood.
Remove Water Stains From Wood
The following is a guide that will show you how to remove water rings from wood surfaces after someone has placed a warm or cold drink straight on the surface.
- Apply some toothpaste that does not include gel to the affected area, and then rub it with a cloth made of a gentle material until the stain is removed.
- Combine baking soda and toothpaste in equal proportions in order to remove stubborn stains.
- After cleaning the toothpaste with a clean, wet towel, you need to make sure that it is totally dry before proceeding.
Remove Tough Marks From Wood
- To make a paste, combine one tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water. Mix until smooth.
- Apply to the stain, and then use a gentle rubbing motion with a cloth made of a softer material until the stain is removed.
- Remove any toothpaste residue using a fresh cloth that has been dampened, then ensure that the surface is completely dry.
Applying a layer of wood polish to your furniture after giving it a good washing can help to preserve the finish and bring out the furniture’s natural luster.
Advice On Caring For Wooden Furniture
Even the highest-quality wood furniture can pick up smells and develop kinks with time.
This is particularly true for wooden furniture that have been around for a considerable length of time and have a large degree of aging on them. You will be happy to know that there are a few simple steps you can take to maintain the condition of the wooden furniture in your home.
- If you find that a vintage item has a lingering odor, you should take it outside on a warm and dry day and let it air dry. However, you should provide protection from the unfiltered sunlight.
- To remove odors from the surface, sprinkle talcum powder or baking soda all over it.
- Inside each drawer, position a shallow pan containing charcoal briquettes.
- If you have drawers that are difficult to open, try rubbing the top edge with a white candle.
Top Cleaning Tools For Wooden Furniture
Classic feather duster
A duster made of ostrich feathers is used to clear dust from surfaces that are easily damaged and sensitive. The versatility of feather dusters allows them to be used on a wide variety of surfaces, including wood furniture, silk lampshades, mirrors, picture frames, art, and fragile artifacts.
Treated cloths
Cloths that have been treated to remove lint and are scratch-free can gather up and retain dirt. Use them in place of silicon sprays, which should be avoided on fine wood furniture since they might damage the finish.
Lambswool duster
These include lanolin, which is a chemical that attracts dust and allows it to stick to the surface being cleaned. This makes these very useful for dusting.
Lambswool dusters are also useful for dusting regions that can’t be reached by clothing, such as carved or twisted surfaces.
They include a long handle that makes them excellent for use in regions that are difficult to access, such as the top of tall furniture items, high shelves, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
Lint-free cloths
As dusters, people typically make use of clean cotton t-shirts or other types of cloths that may be reused. Another lint-free option for dusting is the use of microfiber cloths. Add a little water to them so that they can better absorb dust.
Final Words
For better homes, when considering how to maintain the best possible appearance for your wood furniture as well as how to make dull wood shine again, there are several tips and warning signs to take into account.
These pointers will help you maintain the good looks and durability of your wood furniture. Now that you have a fact sheet, you can refer to it whenever you work on repairing or maintaining your wood furniture.
Simply try to keep in mind the various kinds of furniture wax, cloth, and solvents that we mentioned before.
Following the aforementioned advice should make it easy for you to maintain your wood furniture from looking drab. Of course, you may use this information for any woodworking project in general as well.