French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
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.
1. Mix the Murphy’s Oil Soap with water and wash the piece with a rag dampened in the mixture. Be careful not to get the piece too wet — wipe down with a dry rag if there is a lot of water left on the surface. Repeat until rags no longer pick up any grime.
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.
Never use vegetable oils because they eventually turn rancid. I would NOT use Murphy’s Oil soap on antique furniture.
For heavy cleaning, dilute 1/2 cup Murphy ® oil soap per gallon. Clean with well wrung-out mop, and mop any excess water. No rinsing required.
Vinegar – a weak form of acetic acid – cuts through oil and grease and doubles as a sanitizer without leaving any film or residue. Mix equal parts of hot water with white vinegar in a small bowl and apply to the wood with a soft, clean cloth.
5 of the Best Oil Finishes for Wood Furniture Linseed Oil . Linseed oil , also known as flaxseed oil , is one of the most popular wood finishes in the world. Tung Oil . Tung oil is a plant-based oil used as a wood finish. Mineral Oil . Mineral oil is a broadly used term to describe a clear, odorless oil. Walnut Oil . Danish Oil .
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.
Vinegar can clean all kinds of wood . 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.
Steps to Take: Wear hand gloves for protection. Pour some linseed oil onto the wood . You may use a rag to rub it back and forth. Make sure you spread the oil across the whole surface. Let it dry for about 15-20 minutes to be effective. Wait for the boiled linseed oil to soak in.
Other Tips For Cleaning & Protecting a Wood Table Dust your wood table often. Small particles of dust may seem harmless, but enough buildup can scratch the wood’s finish. Use vinegar and oil to get water rings out of your wooden table . Keep it away from the radiator. Watch humidity levels. Make your wood table shine.
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.
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.
Compared to the more significant job of refinishing hardwood , applying a wood floor restorer is much easier. In light of potential spills or stains, however, don’t forget to maintain the cleanliness of the floor with a natural cleaner like Murphy ® Oil Soap on a regular basis.