Having a wooden furniture is a delight for any furniture lover. It has a timeless charm and a natural beauty that can enhance almost every space. What’s more, it's durable and becomes more refined over time. But like other types of furniture, it also requires proper cleaning to maintain its exquisite look.
Despite the woods’ durability, it has also delicate parts. You need to put extra effort to protect and maintain your wooden furniture. As you may already know, one spilled drink on your wood furniture can change its color.
That is exactly the reason why we created this cleaning guide. In this guide, we will teach you how to clean your wooden furniture the right way. We’ll also identify all the common types of stains and how you can remove them.
How to Clean Your Wooden Furniture the Right Way?
The following steps below are the simplest way to clean wooden furniture.
- Start by removing any dust on the surface of the Furniture. Be careful in removing it as this can scratch the woods. Use a microfiber cloth or feather duster for the best result.
- Use the mildest cleaner and increase the strength as needed. You can try making a diluted solution of water and dishwashing soap.
- Get a soft cloth and dip it in the solution, then squeeze out the excess water. You want a moist cloth, not a dripping one.
- Don't soak the wood, and rinse your cloth frequently.
- After cleaning, use a dry cloth to wipe off any moisture.
Different Wood Furniture Stains and How to Remove Them
Stains are the biggest enemy of wood furniture. Even a small amount can ruin its natural beauty and make it look dirty. But don't worry, there are ways to remove them and restore your furniture's original charm. We’ll list below some of the most common stains and get rid of them using simple household products.
Water Rings
Water ring mark is a common stain that is found on wood furniture. This happens when a wet glass is left on the surface. Depending on the liquid, it can leave a white or dark mark on the surface.
If you see this stain, it's important to act fast before it gets worse. You can use petroleum jelly or mayonnaise. Allow it to sit for one hour then rub it with a damp cloth. Use a dry clean cloth to buff away the residue.
Ink stains
Ink can be hard to remove from wood, especially if it has dried. The easiest way is to use a commercial ink remover that is safe for wood. Make sure to follow the instructions and try it first in a small area. Once proven successful, you can use it for the entire stain.
You can also mix some vinegar and baking soda to make a paste. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Keep in mind that baking soda may dull the finish of the wood. You can use a polish to bring back the shine of the wood.
Mold or mildew stains
Mold or mildew can grow on wood if it is exposed to moisture or humidity. If you’re going to clean mold or mildew off your furniture, take it outside your house. This will prevent the spores from spreading indoors.
Use a commercial mold or mildew remover that is safe for use on wood. Again, pay attention to the instruction and apply it first in a small area before using it to the entire stain.
If the mildew is dry, you can use your vacuum cleaner (with attachment) to suck away all the mold.
Glue or sticker residue
Before putting anything else on the stain, try scraping the mark with a card or a plastic scraper. Be gentle as possible so you won’t leave any unwanted marks on the surface. Once the majority of the residue is gone, try rubbing olive oil or mineral oil on the mark.
Rub the oil over the stained area with the cloth, and watch the residue disappear. Make sure to change to a clean part of the cloth as you go, and add more oil if necessary.
If the process dulls the wood surface, you can use a polish to bring back its original shine.
How Often Do you Need to Clean Your Wooden Furniture?
When you see any stains on your wood furniture, it is important to clean them away immediately. Dusting, on the other hand, should be done frequently or at least once every week. This is important to prevent dust buildup that could damage the wood surface.
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