If you have any wood furniture in your home, then you probably know how difficult it is to keep wood in pristine condition. Nonetheless, it’s important to clean wood furniture regularly so that it looks its best and lasts as long as possible. But what’s the best way to clean grimy wood furniture?
Dust your wood furniture, then add dish soap to a microfiber cloth and lightly rub any dirty or sticky spots. Use mineral spirits to wipe down the wood surface, then clear away any leftover residue with a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth. Finally, dry the furniture, apply wax polish, and buff.
Cleaning grime off wood furniture may seem daunting, but with some elbow grease and a few gentle cleaning solutions, your furniture will look good as new in no time. Let’s get into the details and go over the dos and don’ts of cleaning grimy wood furniture.
What Causes Wood Furniture to Become Grimy?
Wood furniture can become grimy due to several factors, including the accumulation of dust and dirt, body oils, greasy food residue, and airborne pollutants — all things that are present in most homes.
Additionally, some furniture finishes may react with the environment and leave a sticky or grimy residue on the surface. To keep your wood furniture looking clean, make sure to dust and clean it regularly.
Which Products Are Best for Cleaning Wood Grime?
You can clean grime off wood furniture using either natural or chemical products. Let’s look at some of the best options in both categories:
Natural Cleaning Solutions
The best natural cleaning solutions for wood grime are:
Water, Vinegar, and Olive Oil
This cleaning solution is excellent for cleaning and freshening varnished wooden furniture while also adding moisture and shine. Olive oil helps achieve this, while vinegar cuts through any grease and acts as a disinfectant. Combining the two creates a powerful mixture that can clean up almost any mess.
Mix 250ml water, 250ml vinegar, and a tablespoon of olive oil in a spray bottle, and you’re good to go! Secure the lid tightly and shake the solution before and during use because the olive oil separates pretty quickly.
Lemon Juice
This solution is similar to the first one, but it utilizes lemon juice instead of water. Not only will this method enhance and maintain the look of your wooden furniture, but it’ll also make it smell nice and fresh.
Create the desired quantity with two parts vinegar, two parts olive oil, and one part lemon juice. Depending on the amount you’re preparing, you can mix these ingredients in either a spray bottle or a bowl and start cleaning right away!
Chemical Cleaning Solutions
The best chemical or commercial wood grime cleaners include:
Touch of Oranges Wood Cleaner and Restorer
Touch of Oranges wood cleaner and restorer (on Amazon) is the perfect all-in-one solution for your wooden surfaces. It effectively cleanses dirt, grease, and grime, and it provides moisture and protection.
The blend of orange oil and other ingredients helps protect your wooden surfaces from drying or cracking. Plus, this cleaner won’t leave behind any waxy residue. It’s perfect for all your wooden surfaces, such as floors, cabinets, furniture, and antiques.
ECOS Furniture Polish + Cleaner
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly cleaning solution for your wooden furniture, you can’t go wrong with ECOS furniture polish + cleaner (on Amazon). It’s made with olive and orange oil, both of which help to polish, clean, and freshen the furniture while being gentle on the environment. If you’re sensitive to scents, this is also a milder choice.
The spray bottle makes it easy to apply this product. Simply spray the cleaner onto the wooden furniture before wiping it immediately with a soft, clean cloth, and it will remove dirt, grease, oil, and grime, leaving a wonderful shine that brings out the wood’s natural beauty.
What Supplies Will You Need?
You’ll need to gather the following supplies before kicking off the cleaning process:
- Dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
- Clean cloth for drying
- Mineral spirits (on Amazon)
- Wax polish (on Amazon)
- Cheesecloth
How to Clean Grime Off of Wood
Once you’ve got everything ready, proceed with these easy-to-follow steps:
Step 1: Dust Your Wood Furniture
Wipe down your furniture with a microfiber cloth to eliminate dust and grime. You can wipe the furniture with a slightly damp microfiber cloth for a more thorough cleaning. However, you don’t want to leave any water on your wood since it could leave a stain, so be sure to dry it quickly with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 2: Wipe With Dish Soap
If you notice any unsightly spots with sticky residue, use dish soap to get rid of them. First, add a drop of dish soap to a microfiber cloth and test a small, hidden area of the furniture to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish.
If it looks okay, mix a few drops of dish soap with a cup of water and lightly rub the sticky patches. Again, be careful not to soak the wood in water. Once the furniture is clean, dry it off with a microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Use Mineral Spirits
Apply a tiny amount of mineral spirits to another clean microfiber cloth and test a small area of the furniture beforehand to ensure it won’t harm the finish. Wipe the cloth over the wood surface, focusing on especially dirty areas. You should see the dirt begin to come off straight away.
Step 4: Clean Off Mineral Spirits Residue
Wipe away any mineral spirits residue with a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth and dry out any moisture immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
Step 5: Polish and Buff
For wood furniture, waxing may be necessary to provide protection and maintain its shine. Apply a semi-solid wax polish (without silicone) to the wood with a cheesecloth and let it sit for a few minutes, then give it a good buff with a clean microfiber cloth.
Don’t use polish sprays, as they may leave a residue. Before waxing, read the instructions on the product.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid making these mistakes when cleaning grimy wood furniture:
Getting the Wood Furniture Very Wet
Wood is porous and tends to absorb moisture when exposed to water. Therefore, be careful not to use too much wood cleaner or all-purpose cleaner when cleaning your wood furniture.
Using Silicone-Based Wood Polish
Silicone-based wood polishes can attract more dust, make wood finishes gummy and sticky, and ultimately lead to surfaces that are tougher to clean.
Spraying Cleaning Solution Directly Onto Wood Furniture
Avoid spraying wood furniture directly with any cleaning solution, as it may leave permanent marks due to the porous nature of wood. It’s best to apply the cleaner to a microfiber cloth that you can use to wipe down the furniture.
Using Abrasive and Water-Based Cleaning Agents
Even though wood is typically a long lasting material, It’s important to be mindful of the cleaning products you use on your wood furniture, as some may cause damage.
You should avoid harsh cleaning agents such as ammonia, which can break down the wood finish, leaving your furniture unrecognizable. Additionally, water-based cleaners are out of the question because they can cause the wood to warp.