Even if you regularly dust your wood furniture, you’ll still need to deep clean it every once in a while to remove the everyday grime that can build up without us noticing. Wood is a delicate material so whether you are cleaning your fitted bedroom furniture or your wooden kitchen cabinets, you need to pay special care and attention to the cleaning methods you use.
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Light Dusting
Regular dusting is an important part of any cleaning routine and is particularly important for people living with allergies or respiratory conditions. In general, light dusting should be done at least once a week. For this, you should use a light microfibre cloth as microfibre’s thin threads are extremely good at trapping dust without the risk of scratching or leaving marks on the wood.
You don’t need to use any additional cleaning products for this, simply run the cloth over your furniture to collect dust particles without damaging the wood. You can then wash your cloth after dusting so they’re ready for their next use.
Damp Dusting
To remove sticky grime from wood furniture, the process is similar but in this case, you will also need to dampen your cloth with some warm water or if you’re dealing with tough grease and grime spots or stains, then a small dash of white spirit can help lift dirt and oils from the wood.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is another powerful ally when it comes to cleaning wood furniture. After dusting your furniture, use a vinegar solution that is one part vinegar to one part water and a soft muslin cloth to buff your furniture clean. Cleaning with vinegar is also a more environmentally-friendly alternative to using harsh chemical cleaners that get washed down our drains into rivers and seas. Vinegar is also non-toxic to both humans and pets, making it ideal for regular use if you have kids or furry friends.
Test First
When it comes to using new products on your wood furniture, read labels carefully and always test on a small patch first before applying to a large area. If you decide to use anything other than water or vinegar on your wood furniture, you should first try it on a small and hidden area of the furniture to make sure that it doesn’t affect the finish of the wood.
Prevent Stains
Prevention is key when it comes to stains on your wood furniture. Keep coasters and placemats handy and encourage your family and guests to use them when putting drinks or food on wooden furniture. Of course, accidents happen or people may forget to grab a coaster before placing a drink down on a coffee table but if food or drink is spilt on wood, do try to clean it up as soon as it happens as older stains are much more difficult to lift out of wood than recent spills. Tips or tricks for lifting water rings from wood include using toothpaste, olive oil or even mayonnaise!