Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water. This gentle cleaning solution is perfect for everyday use on wooden cabinets. It will not warp the wood or remove the finish.
Surfaces that Should Not Be Cleaned with Vinegar
hardwood floors, wood furniture, and other word surfaces – due to its acidic nature, vinegar can damage hardwood floor finishes, causing them to look dingy. Use either a cleaner specifically made for hardwood floors or a mix of soap and water.
Cleaning wood furniture with vinegar and water.
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. Excessive water on wood can cause damage if it penetrates the finish. With your moistened cloth, wipe in a circular motion.
Try mixing a weak solution of water and dishwashing 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.
Porous surfaces like wood, stone, and grout are susceptible to damage from acidic cleaners like vinegar, but it can be safely by diluting the vinegar with water or other ingredients.
Test the vinegar-water solution on a small area first before cleaning the whole piece. Spray the solution onto a soft cloth and apply it to the wood surface by rubbing with the grain to remove watermarks. For heavily stained areas, add a sprinkle of baking soda to the surface.
A mixture of vinegar and olive oil is an alterative, traditional way to clean your oak furniture. Mix two parts olive oil with one part vinegar, and if possibly, apply it thinly from a spray bottle. Use a soft, clean cloth to rub it gently into the surface.
Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist on cabinets, let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to the vinegar and water solution to clean extremely grimy cabinets.
If you're dusting or cleaning your table, in additional to other wood furniture or knickknacks, a multipurpose solution like Murphy® Oil Soap Orange Oil Cleaner can do the trick. Real Simple recommends spraying or applying your product onto a dusting cloth instead of the surface itself.
White vinegar suits wood well. Not only does it remove dirt and dust, but it also helps polish the wood. It provides a shimmering effect, giving the wood more life. When there are wine, milk, and other liquid stains on wood, you can apply the vinegar and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
We're often asked if you can clean a fabric couch with vinegar, and the answer is yes. In fact, white vinegar is a great natural stain remover for most types of upholstery.
Oil and Vinegar
Oil and vinegar is the crux of most salad dressings, so it can't get much safer to use. And, believe it or not, a bit of canola oil (3 parts) and vinegar (1 part) makes a dandy wood sealant, protecting wood from borrowing insects, wear, and water.
Don't Use Vinegar and Water
Vinegar is acidic and will damage your wood cabinets. While it is true that if heavily diluted, vinegar will lose much of its acidity, but when diluted it will also lose much of its properties that make it an effective cleaner. Diluted vinegar is no more effective than dish soap.
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.
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.
Next time you need a tried-and-true wood furniture cleaner, try one of these recipes: Dish soap: Put a few drops of liquid dish soap on a cotton ball, dip it in a small amount of warm water, and test on an inconspicuous spot.
DEEP CLEANING
Ideally you'll want to use a detergent designed for cleaning wood. A simple solution of half a cup of distilled white vinegar, half a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of mild dish detergent like Dawn will also do the trick.
Despite being sold as a furniture polish, you should also avoid using Pledge on your wood, as it builds up waxy layers of silicone that may hide imperfections but not actually help treat the wood in any way.
While some people think that the use of olive oil might damage wooden furniture, it actually nourishes the wood and brings out its natural shine. It can be used to treat several kinds of wooden surfaces. From chairs and tables to wooden storage boxes, you can use olive oil and let it act as a varnish.
Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dampen a soft cotton, lint-free cloth with the solution and use it to wipe the surface of the table to break down and remove the wax buildup.
Cleaning wood with water is not recommended either unless you are dealing with a sticky film on its surface. You should dip a cloth in water mixed with mild detergent or soap, wring off excess water, and wipe the sticky area. Use a circular motion to remove any dirt or dust.