How to Safely Clean Antique Wood Furniture

While wood furniture requires careful cleaning to protect the wood's finish, antique furniture demands gentle cleaning products, as powerful chemicals can damage the furniture's surface as well as loosen the furniture's glue. As with most furniture care, the type of cleaning required for antique furniture depends on the furniture's finish. Antique pieces that have a glossy coat can withstand moisture better than unfinished pieces, but exercise caution when cleaning, as water is the enemy of antique wood.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Small pot
• 2 tbsp. gum turpentine
• 4 tbsp. linseed oil
• 3 lint-free cloths
• Rubber gloves
• Lemon oil

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Fill a medium-sized bucket with 1 gallon of hot water.

   • 2

     Boil 4 tbsp. of linseed oil in a small pot, and pour it into the bucket. Add 2 tbsp. of gum turpentine to the bucket mixture, and mix well.

   • 3

     Cover your hands with rubber gloves, and dip the cleaning cloth into the mixture. Wring out the solution, and wipe down the furniture in the direction of the wood grain.

   • 4

     Wipe down the furniture with a dry cloth, and pour two to three drops of lemon oil into a new cloth. Buff the furniture's surface in a circular motion with the cleaning cloth to polish it.