How to Clean Wood Furniture? Best Tips

Wooden furniture is just a craze; it never seems to die down. Undoubtedly, the global wooden furniture market is forecasted to surpass USD 644.10 billion by 2030.

Wood furniture pieces can range from classical beauties and vintage items to contemporary furnishings. The good news is that there are different types of wood, and consequently, there are multiple wooden furniture options for customers.

Maintenance of wooden furniture and furnishings has been a perpetual topic of discussion. The entire space of cleaning wooden furniture has evolved drastically in the past few years. To top it off, there are a plethora of wood care products available on the shelves, but some can be pretty damaging.

Here are a few easy ways to clean your wood furniture:

1. Basic Care

The first step is to prepare a weekly goal of cleaning your furniture. The focal point of this schedule is surface dusting using an all-purpose microfiber towel. Microfiber is suggested because the ultra-fine and thin fibers in the material trap dust.

Typically, experts advise dusting the wood pieces at least once a week. It can be done more often, too.

If there are spills, the cleaning exercise should be immediate if you want the interior decor of your apartment to remain as immersive as before. Any dropping that leaves a stain behind, especially a built-up residue, needs a deeper cleaning and should be done regularly.

2. Removing Light Soiling

The best way to remove light soiling or grime is to use a soft cloth and a gentle cleaner. You can use water and dishwashing soap to make a diluted solution. The cloth should be dipped in the solution to wipe the wooden pieces only after the water has been completely wrung out.

Never use a wet cloth but a damp one. The other thing to remember is that the wood should not be saturated with water. Instead, keep rinsing and cleaning the cloth as often as possible. Also, ensure that the wood is thoroughly dried. 

If the wood furniture is part of the kitchen, the grime and food residue are more likely to be collected. In this case, use a microfiber towel and warm water. The process remains the same, though. This is because the nylon fibers in the microfiber material are oleophilic and will help trap grease and oils more effectively. Remember to dry the wooden surface with a dry towel.

3. Removing Water Stains

Water stains are common on wood, especially with kids and pets around. Follow these simple steps to take off water stains DIY easily:

• Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel & apply a non-gel toothpaste on it to remove the stain.
• For tougher stains, mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda & then apply this mixture to the stains.
• After removing the stain, wipe the spot with a damp cloth to dry the wood.

4. Removing Highly Stubborn Sticky Stains

When the furniture is stained severely, you can use mineral spirits to remove the sticky stains. Before trying this method, you should test on a small spot to be sure that the mineral spirit will not harm the furniture finish.

Dampen a microfiber cloth with liquid mineral spirits and gently rub the stain, ensuring proper ventilation during the process.

5. Cleaning Oiled Wood Furniture

If your living room chair for back pain is oiled, the cleaning procedure will differ from that of a painted furniture piece. Polished wood comes with a varnish coating on the surface, including tannic acid. To clean this polish coat, use black tea solution. How to prepare this solution?

The solution is prepared using 4-5 black teabags by immersing in hot water. It will help keep the polish dark and lustrous. Keep the teabags immersed for about 10 minutes. Next, you need to dampen the cloth for a while. Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth.

6. Removing Ink Marks

Some marks like that of ink on your furniture can be pretty bothersome. The use of dry baking soda is an effective remedy. Use a damp cloth or microfiber towel, dip it into the dry soda powder, and rub on the stain. Once the stain is removed, the soda residue can be removed using a wet cloth. A dry, soft cloth should be used to dry the area.

7. Cleaning Woven Furniture

Firstly, dust the wicker piece. Next, prepare a concoction using white vinegar and olive oil to prepare a mixture. Damp a clean cloth with this mixture to apply to the affected area. Let the oil sit on the spot for up to two hours. Finally, a lint-free cloth should be used to buff the furniture.

Conclusion

It is crucial to take good care of your wood-made furnishings, especially furniture. Our tips will help maintain them in good condition for years effectively. Other than these ways, make sure to keep the surface of your furniture covered using tablecloths, coasters, mats, etc. It helps protect the surface from moisture and heat. Besides, ensure that when moving furniture items, you handle them carefully. Wrap the pieces in blankets to protect them from scratches, etc. Also, keep the furniture away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Written by Billy Guteng. January 8, 2024

Billy is a content writer for Kukun. He was born in France, and has lived in multiple cities around the world ever since. He loves art, design and architecture as well as construction and real estate.