How to Clean Finished Wood Furniture

General Cleaning

• 1

  Dust the furniture frequently using a soft, cotton cloth. Wet the cloth slightly so the dust sticks to it. It should not be so wet that you can see water on the wood. Wipe with the grain of the wood.

• 2

  Condition the wood twice a year using a paste wax. Dab the cotton cloth into the wax and rub it into the wood in small circles. Add more wax as needed.

• 3

  Buff the wax with a soft cloth to remove any excess wax.

Watermarks and Alcohol Stains

• 4

  Dab a cream-based metal polish on a clean cloth.

• 5

  Rub the polish into the stain.

• 6

  Buff off the polish with clean, dry rag.

Grease Stains

• 7

  Sprinkle talc on the stain.

• 8

  Cover with paper towel.

• 9

  Press a warm iron onto the paper towel to warm the grease and allow it to soak into the towel. Remove the towels.

Scratches

• 10

  Melt a crayon that matches the wood with a lighter.

• 11

  Rub the soft crayon onto the scratch.

• 12

  Smooth the surface by rubbing it with a soft cloth.

Stuck-on Substances

• 13

  Scrape off substance with a dull knife.

• 14

  Rub a paste wax into the spot to remove any residue and treat the wood

• 15

  Fill in stains with the crayon method.