French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Try to avoid wet cleaning your antique , especially if the wood is unfinished. If you must wet clean , use a mild detergent diluted in distilled water and gently dab the furniture . Pat the cleaned areas dry with distilled water. Finish by applying a coat of wax then buff after it has hardened.
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.
Use a mix of equal parts distilled white vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Use a soft cloth to rub the mixture with the wood’s grain and then wipe off with a clean cloth.
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.
clean the sign with a mild soap, let dry. Scuff with 400 grit sandpaper, do not remove the old finish, just scuff to give the new coat a tooth the grip. Spray or brush a new thin coat. one coat should do but if you don’t get a consistent finish, give it a second coat.
The Best Furniture Polishes to Make Every Surface Shine Best Oil : Pledge Restore & Shine. Pledge . Best Aerosol: Guardsman Anytime Clean & Polish . Best Wax: Howard Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish . Best Wipe: Weiman Furniture Wipes. Best Duster: Twinkle Dust and Shine Cloth. Best Scratch Solution: Weiman Repair Kit.
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.
Never use vegetable oils because they eventually turn rancid. I would NOT use Murphy’s Oil soap on antique furniture .
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.
How Does It Work? Olive Oil. Olive oil shines, moisturizes, and protects wood. White Vinegar (or ACV) Vinegar cuts through the greasy, grimy, yuckiness that gets stuck to the table after meals. Lemon Juice. Vegetable Glycerin. Lavender Essential Oil.
General Care. To maintain the finish, mild dish soap or a damp cloth is recommended for cleaning up after spills, just as you would clean woodwork. Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy’s Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the 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.
Rubbing alcohol (or vodka): If you want to know how to get sticker residue off plastic, wood , or glass, one of the most effective solvents that’s safe for most surfaces is rubbing alcohol. Vodka is a good substitute. Wet a paper towel or clean rag with rubbing alcohol, and rub the residue to lift it off .