Clean Antique Oak Furniture

Dust antique furniture regularly.

Clean antique oak furniture.

Steep two tea bags in boiling water. Knowing how to clean old wood furniture that has decades old buildup of polish will help you revitalize an antique. Check for wax by running your fingernail along the wood. A weak solution of vinegar diluted in water can be used to clean more thoroughly but only on polished undamaged wood.

Mix a little bit of murphy s oil soap into some warm water according to the package directions lightly dampen a soft cloth in the solution then gently begin to wipe away the stuck on dust and dirt. Rub the cloth lightly over the surface of the wood in a circular motion. If cleaning is necessary for example on a dining room table use a soft damp cloth or a clean chamois leather well wrung out. Wash off grime and scuff marks with a sponge and then dry the wood with a rag.

Clean your furniture with a little white spirit turps to remove the vegetable oil. Wipe down the entire piece of furniture making sure you get into the nooks and crannies. Wipe the wooden furniture clean with the soap and water. Stay away from spots where the finish is chipped off or cracked to avoid wetting the wood and causing it to swell.

A mixture of dish soap and water is usually all you need for this procedure. Mix water and dish soap in a bucket and use this solution to sponge down the entire piece of furniture. Let the tea cool to room temperature take a soft cloth wring it out in the tea until it s damp and wash the wood. When doing routine dusting in your home take a rag and dust off any debris built up on antique furniture.

Let it dry preferably over night then buff with a soft cloth. Quickly dry the area with a soft clean cloth. Instead brush the sponge lightly over the. Do not clean good furniture with water soap or oils.

This is a common mistake. The tannic acid from the tea is wonderful for maintaining wood. If you re using dusting sprays go for a mild spray or no spray at all on antiques. Rotate the cloth frequently to avoid spreading the dirt it absorbs.

Dip a soft cloth in the solution and wring it out to remove excess water. If the mild soapy solution doesn t work you can use a stronger cleaning solution. Do not soak the wood. Follow with a good wax polish.