How to Clean Wooden Furniture

Regular wooden furniture care includes weekly dusting with a soft cloth, but wax or stains can build up that dusting will not remove. Whether the furniture has a clear finish or is totally bare, homeowners should avoid cleaning with water because it can warp the wood grain. Mineral spirits, a mild solvent, will remove most stains from wooden furniture without damaging the wood itself.

Vacuum with brush attachment
2 soft cloths
Mineral spirits
Soft-bristled scrub brush
Wood furniture wax

Instructions

- 1
  Attach a soft bristled brush attachment to the hose of your vacuum cleaner. Run the brush over the entire surface of the wood piece to remove any dust.
- 2
  Dampen a soft, cotton cloth with mineral spirits and rub down all parts of the wooden furniture. Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush in the mineral spirits and use it to reach into any crevices or ornate, carved portions of the furniture. You can also use an old toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach areas.
- 3
  Wipe the furniture down with a second clean cloth to remove the loosened dirt and any remaining mineral spirit residue.
- 4
  Let the wooden furniture dry for four hours before you use it again.
- 5
  Apply a coating of wood furniture wax, according to the package directions. The mineral spirits will have removed any protective wax that was present on the piece.

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