How to Clean Antique Hand Painted Furniture

A piece of hand painted antique furniture is a welcome accent in any home. Paired with other items of natural wood finishes adds color and texture. Among the attractive benefits of painted furniture are the durability of the finishes and the ease with which they are cleaned. Whether you own a classical piece of Baltimore painted furniture or a primitive piece that is the forerunner of today's shabby chic pieces, antique hand painted furniture will occasionally need to be cleaned.

Oil soap
1 gallon of warm water
Soft cloth rag

Instructions

- 1
  Brush loose dust and dirt off furniture surfaces with a dust brush or soft cloth. Carved details and crevices can be dusted with the dust brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner.
- 2
  Mix a 1/4 cup oil soap with 1 gallon of warm water. Alternately, use just enough dish soap to make the water slightly sudsy.
- 3
  Wet a soft cloth or sponge with the soapy water and wring out so it is just damp. Wiping excess water off your hands prevents it from dripping on your project.
- 4
  Wipe the furniture gently with the damp cloth, using only enough force to remove the dirt. Clean a small section at a time, swishing the rag in the soapy water and wringing it out again to refresh the cloth.
- 5
  Repeat the cleaning process on surfaces with stubborn dirt until all surfaces are clean. Replace the soapy water as it becomes murky with dirt.
- 6
  Wipe surfaces with a fresh cloth dampened with clean, fresh water to remove any excess soap, then allow to dry.

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