Learn How to Clean Wooden Furniture

Keeping wooden furniture in its best condition requires experience and meticulousness with each type of stain.

When purchasing new or used furniture, it is helpful to learn specific care and cleaning instructions to make refurbishing easier.

How to Dust Wooden Furniture

To keep wooden furniture in its best shape, regular dusting is important. Dust can create dirt in the air and accumulate into a layer that can scratch the surface. Dust on furniture can also cause allergies or be harmful to people with asthma. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A soft cloth
• A dust cloth
• A feather duster

Step 1: Use the Right Tool

When looking for a dusting tool for wooden furniture, choose something that dust will stick to instead of something that will pick it up only to release it back into the air. Dusting cloths, soft cloths, and feather dusters are effective for removing dust from wooden furniture.

Step 2: Dampen the Cloth

To properly dust furniture, lightly dampen a small piece of cloth before wiping it down. This will help prevent dust from dispersing into the air.

How to Clean Wooden Furniture

Applying wax to wooden furniture can help protect the surface and reduce surface scratches. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Furniture wax or liquid wax
• 100% cotton cloth
• Power drill or electric buffer
• Lint-free cloth

Step 1: Prepare the Wax

Place a golf ball-sized amount of wax into a square of 100% cotton cloth. Wrap the cloth around the wax ball and knead until soft.

Step 2: Rub the Wax onto the Surface

Rub the wax-soaked cloth onto the furniture surface, a small section at a time, until the surface becomes hazy. Then wipe off excess wax with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

Step 3: Buff

Buff the wooden furniture with a soft cloth or lambswool pad attached to a power drill or electric buffer. If the wax smears, wipe with a soft cloth and continue buffing.

Step 4: Repeat and Maintain

To maintain the shine, apply a second coat of wax. Dust with a lambswool duster and avoid using liquid or spray furniture polish.

How to Clean Old Wooden Furniture

If you find mold on wooden furniture, here’s how to clean and remove it. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
• Soft cloth
• Soap or mild detergent
• Water
• Furniture wax

Step 1: Vacuum and Clean

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to vacuum away dust. Then wipe the area with a damp cloth soaked in mild soap or detergent dissolved in water and wrung out.

Step 2: Rinse and Dry

Rinse and dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth. Apply furniture wax to protect the new finish.

How to Repair Surface Scratches on Wooden Furniture

Surface scratches are common with wooden furniture. Here’s how to remove scratches. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A wax stick
• A felt-tip touch-up pen
• Wood filler
• A color-matching putty stick

Step 1: Wax the Surface

If there are light scratches on the surface, apply a wax stick or use a felt-tip touch-up pen to retouch.

Step 2: Treat Deep Scratches

For deeper scratches, use wood filler or a colored wax crayon stick. Apply multiple thin layers instead of one thick layer.

According to VOV