French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
A weak solution of vinegar diluted in water can be used to clean more thoroughly but only on polished, undamaged wood. After cleaning, wipe again with a clean cloth rinsed in clear water and dry immediately with absorbent paper or a soft dry cloth.
Never use vegetable oils because they eventually turn rancid. I would NOT use Murphy’s Oil soap on antique furniture .
Start by wiping down your wood furniture with a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime . You never want water to sit on the wood , so quickly wipe it down with another dry microfiber cloth. For regular dusting, a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth will do the trick.
Vinegar makes an excellent wood cleaner because it won’t damage wood finish or warp wood like other products do . Cleaning with vinegar is a green alternative to the sometimes toxic and expensive cleaners offered at the store.
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Try mixing a weak solution of water and dish washing soap. Dip a soft cloth in the solution, wring it out and wipe the entire piece. You want a damp cloth, not a wet one. Don’t saturate the wood , and rinse your cloth often.
As a first step to removing layers of grime from old wood furniture , use an oil soap (Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner , $4, Target) and water. Rinse and dry well. If the finish still seems dirty , clean lightly with #0000 steel wool dipped in a cleaning product.
Cleaning wood furniture with vinegar and water . In your bucket, mix half a cup of white vinegar to half a gallon of warm water . For larger surfaces, you may want to double it. You can either spray the vinegar mixture on a soft rag or dip the rag into the bucket and then wring it out thoroughly. Be careful.
Basic maintenance of antique wooden furniture includes regular dusting with a soft brush. Try to avoid wet cleaning your antique , especially if the wood is unfinished. Non-drying oil , like mineral oil , leaves a lubricated coat on the furniture which can take days to dry.
Use a tack cloth or damp cloth to remove sanding dust. prev. apply stripping agent to furniture . prev. remove residue with old cut off paintbrush. prev. use hammer to give new wood distressed look. Apply the Stain. attach replacement pieces to furniture . Sand the Entire Piece. apply stain with lint free rag.
Clean. Any refinishing furniture DIY starts with basic cleaning. Examine. Take an overall assessment of the piece and determine if it needs any repairs. Remove the Old Finish. Sanding. Chemical Stripper. Seal the Wood . Stain or Paint. Apply Finish.
Mix 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of white toothpaste, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Use your finger or a spoon to mix it well. Dip a sponge in the mixture and scrub down your cabinets . Rinse with a damp cloth until all residue is gone.