How to Refurbish a Wood Dresser

That old dresser sitting in your garage can be refurbished. You can make the dirt--that nasty black build-up that looks like tar--water marks and light scratches all disappear, and without buying any expensive equipment or products. By the time you're done, you'll welcome that old dresser into your household.

Household cleaner
Dishcloth
Bucket
Hot water
Tablespoon measure
Gum turpentine
Boiled linseed oil
Rubber gloves
Measuring cup
Glass jars (one with a lid)
0000 steel wool
Toothpaste

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the hardware and drawers. This will allow you to do a better job cleaning the edges of the drawers, as well as the edges around the drawer openings.
- 2
  Clean the chest and drawer fronts with a household cleaner and a damp dishcloth or use 2 tablespoons of gum turpentine and 4 tablespoons of boiled linseed oil in a gallon of very hot water. Be careful not to flood the wood with water. Too much water could soak into exposed areas of the wood and cause it to swell, cloud the finish (if you allow it to sit) and cause the joint to loosen because the water will also work on the old glue.
- 3
  Get rid of light scratches, stains and gummy buildup caused by years of oils and furniture polishes gathering dirt. Mix 1/4 cup gum turpentine and 3/4 cup boiled linseed oil in a jar with a lid and shake it up, then pour a few tablespoons into a jar of hot water. Dip the steel wool into it, then rub the steel wool back and forth on the wood, working with the grain.
- 4
  Dry and polish the dresser with a soft clean cloth after cleaning.
- 5
  Rub the entire clean dresser with a mix of 3 tablespoons of boiled linseed oil and 2 tablespoons of turpentine with a quart of hot water.
- 6
  Clean the hardware with toothpaste and a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.
- 7
  Remount the hardware and reassemble the drawers.

Full Vs. Double Bed Size

Ideas to Make Your Own Full Size Bed Headboard

Bedroom Furniture