Wood Cleaner: Any gentle cleaner that's safe on wood surfaces will suffice, such as Dawn dish soap. Soft Cloths: These are used to clean without scratching. A microfiber towel can be an awesome option when available, as well.
To clean old wooden furniture naturally, use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and olive oil. Apply the solution with a soft cloth to remove dirt and restore shine. For sticky residue, sprinkle baking soda on the surface, rub gently, and wipe clean. Avoid excessive moisture and harsh chemicals to protect the wood.
1. Murphy Original Formula Oil Soap. This classic wood cleaner takes care of your wooden furniture, floors, cabinets, tile, and linoleum. In fact, we've also included it on our list of best wood floor cleaners.
Dish soap mixed with warm water would do a fine job on most types of cabinets, including painted wood, plastic laminate, and even metal. This mild soap solution is tough enough to tackle gunky buildup with ease, but it won't ruin cabinet finishes.
Murphy's soap is the best to clean wood. Whether it is the floor or a plank counter top, I have yet to find any other cleaning product that compares.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash:
Wood, including unsealed, varnished, stained, or painted wood surfaces & furniture. Safe on wood cutting boards if rinsed. Glass with UV coatings or other specialty treatments.
Aluminum, Vinyl, Wood (Painted)
Rinse well with a sponge dipped in cool water. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Also, baking soda applied with a damp cloth should cut soap film.
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.
Yes, but use water sparingly and ensure it's not too hot. Dampen a cloth slightly, avoiding excessive moisture that could damage the wood. Can I Clean Wood with Dish Soap? Yes, mild dish soap diluted in water is safe for cleaning wood furniture.
CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR WOOD FURNITURE
A gentle, water-based solution such as Murphy® Oil Soap Original works well when cleaning and protecting the finish on your wood floors, furniture and cabinets. The soap doesn't need to be rinsed and doesn't leave any residue.
It sounds odd, but liquid dish soap is great for cleaning your lightly soiled decks. Just like it's safe to use on your delicate dishes, the dish soap will be safe on your stained deck. It's gentle on the stain and doesn't leave any residue after rinsing.
Natural products like baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil are effective in maintaining wooden furniture without the harsh chemicals found in commercial cleaners.
Measure equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar, and mix well. If you have a spray bottle, pour the mixture into the bottle and spray your cloth or furniture where you need it. Otherwise, dab some of the solution onto the cloth, and rub it onto your furniture as appropriate.
A sticky surface typically comes from an accumulation of dirt, cooking grease and grime. Another possibility is from the buildup of furniture polish, especially waxes or oils. Fortunately, it's usually enough to give it a good clean without having to strip and refinish the surface of your table.
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Never use products containing ammonia on water base finishes. Polishes such orange oil work well for routine maintenance. To prevent splitting, maintain even humidity conditions in your home.
Hardwood Floors, Wood Furniture, and Other Wood 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.
Howard Company is the King of wood restoration, and their products Clean-A-Finish and Restore-A-Finish, are the one-two punch professionals rely on to reclaim even the most neglected wood pieces. Just dampen a microfiber towel with Clean-A-Finish and wipe away years of grime, smoke residue, mold, and more.
Dawn Dish Soap is a popular choice for cutting through tough grease and grime on dishes, but its formulation may not be ideal for hardwood surfaces. The main concern lies in its alkaline pH and potentially harsh chemicals, which can strip away the protective finish of the wood over time.
To clean wood furniture, you can use an all-purpose spray designed for wood or make a solution yourself, says Cohoon. In a bowl, mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring it out so it's damp.
But that conventional dish soap you've been using? It doesn't all wash off. In fact, it leaves toxic chemical residues behind on your dishes and glasses that pose significant health hazards over the long-term.
Wipe wood furniture with a barely damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. (Use a cotton cloth to avoid damaging the wood). Quickly wipe it dry with another microfiber cloth. Don't let water sit on wood since it can warp the surface.
Hot water cannot bond with any insoluble dirt, making it a better medium to clean than cold water. Therefore, hot water is more effective for cleaning purposes than cold water as it has higher kinetic energy, extra space between its molecules, and is more compatible with detergents.
It depends. If your couch can't be cleaned with water, you can either use the natural cleaning method outlined above, or simply put some vinegar on a cloth and gently scrub the stain away. Just remember to check the furniture code of your couch to make sure the material is vinegar-friendly.