Keeping Wood Furniture Clean
Wood furniture is timeless and can fit any aesthetic from farmhouse to vintage to modern. Whether you have furniture that has been handed down for generations, a new piece from the store, or something you’ve found at your local antique shop or flea market, your wood furniture can add comfort and style to your home for decades.
Even while other furniture like plastic, Formica®, and other man-made materials rise in popularity, wood furniture is a staple for many consumers. According to the Amish Outlet Store, 42% of U.S. consumers still think it’s “very important” to have hardwood furniture in their home.
But wood furniture can be challenging to clean. It can lose its luster over time, or it might show stubborn dirt or grime that refuses to go away. And sometimes, when you clean wood furniture, shiny streaks get left behind.
So how can you keep your hardwood furniture looking great? Here are tips and tricks to ensure your wood furniture looks brand new for years.
Proper Dusting Techniques
Dusting is an important step in keeping your wood furniture clean — one that shouldn’t be skipped. Airborne dust particles can build up on your furniture, creating a filmy layer that can scratch and dull the surface. By dusting regularly and frequently, you can remove these deposits and keep these layers from building up.
You can dust with a variety of tools, so which one is right for you? The most important thing to look for in a dusting tool is something that’s clean and soft. However, dust can scatter in the air, and a dry cloth can pull dust particles across the surface of your furniture, creating microscopic scratches. To prevent this, you should slightly dampen your cleaning cloth before cleaning.
What kinds of dusting tools can you use?
Ostrich-feather dusters are delicate and can reach into hard-to-reach surfaces — plus their small fibers can whisk up dust particles.
Lint-free cloths won’t leave cloth fibers or fabric particles behind.
Specially-treated, soft, non-scratching cloths are a great alternative to silicone sprays because they trap dust without seeping into the wood.
Lambswool dusters contain lanolin, which is statically charged to attract and trap dust, making them great for any wooden surfaces that might be hard to reach.
After dusting, it’s a good idea to use a terry cloth towel to dry any remaining moisture left after using a damp dusting cloth.
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Cleaning hardwood furniture is different from cleaning your sinks, countertops, or mirrors. Wood is porous, which means it can soak up the chemicals in cleaning products. You want to avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals or even cleaning with too much water, which can cause wood to absorb moisture and well. So, how should you clean your wood furniture?
For sticky areas, you can spot-treat your wood furniture with a lint-free cloth dipped in mild soap or detergent in a solution of water. Be sure to wring the cloth mostly dry and wipe down the area, then rinse clean right away and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Oil polishes, cleaners, and furniture oils can make your hardwood gleam, but they don’t offer a hard protective layer, and because they have a high percentage of oil, they may leave lots of fingerprints behind. Some polishes can leave residue behind, which will need to be addressed prior to any planned refinishing.
To clean and revive your hardwood furniture, Better Homes & Gardens suggests this tried-and-true method:
Mix equal parts olive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine, and strained lemon juice.
Apply with a soft cloth and buff until shiny and bright with a clean cloth.
Things to Avoid
Your hardwood furniture can look great for decades — even as long as 200 years or more — but only if you take proper care of it. What should you keep in mind about protecting your wood furniture?
Here are some “enemies” of natural wood furniture to avoid:
Direct sunlight can damage the varnish on your wood furniture. Keep your wood furniture out of the line of sunlight.
Liquid spills can leave stains and spots. Wipe moisture away with a dry cloth and use coasters to avoid water rings.
Heat can damage the finish of wood, even leaving permanent white marks or spots. You can prevent this by using coasters or thick mats to avoid direct contact.
Wood is sensitive to humidity. As the seasons change, the level of humidity in your home also shifts, causing wood to expand and contract, which can lead to splitting and cracking. Maintain normal, consistent humidity levels between 40% and 45% humidity to prevent this damage.
Other things to avoid? Both rubber bumpers and candle wax can stain your wood furniture, so check items for rubber and put mats under your candlesticks. Insects can also wreak havoc on your wood furniture, so follow EPA specifications to keep termites and carpenter ants at bay.
Cleaning wood furniture isn’t challenging, but it does require a little bit of thought and some TLC. At Custom Maids, we’re dedicated to providing you with the exceptional clean you strive for, without compromise and without any extra work from you.
We’ll work hard to ensure your hardwood furniture is properly cared for, using all the best techniques. At home or at work, we have the right tools, products, and techniques to care for all of your furniture and leave your space looking its very best. Want to see how we do it? Contact us today!