Mineral spirits should not be used on wood veneer nor laminate. We always recommend wiping your tabletops with a mild soap mixed with warm water and a properly mixed sanitizing solution, using a lint-free cloth.
The Best Way to Clean Veneer Furniture
Avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners and rely on simple soap and water. If you want to repair small scratches, you can apply oil polish and rub the area with a soft microfiber cloth until the scratch is no longer visible.
Note: Mineral spirits should only be applied to oil-based paint—never water-based or latex paint. This is because water-based and latex paints are thin already.
Cleaning Wood Veneer Furniture
It's also susceptible to hot plates and cups, which can cause it to blister and damage the finish. For the best cleaning results, use soap and water for cleaning with a microfiber cloth that will pick up dust particles instead of just pushing them around.
Apply the solution by means of a sponge or a paintbrush, before wiping it away with a clean cloth. Though relatively potent, mineral spirits do not cause any damage to clear wood finishes and are therefore at least worth experimenting with. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
If it is simply dull, dirty or dark with age, it may be possible to revive it with mineral spirits or a rejuvenator. Mineral spirits will soften a natural varnish finish so that surface material can be wiped off.
One more thing to note: mineral spirits don't clean up dried oil-based finish. Pouring mineral spirits on cured polyurethane is going to do nothing but clean it. But if your polyurethane hasn't dried, then the mineral spirits will dissolve the product.
Clean veneer and solid wood furniture 6-12 times a year with a mix of water and mild soaps such as Murphy Oil Soap.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a cup. The acidic solution helps remove sticky residue and worn out varnish from your table. Dip your sponge into the solution and start wiping down the table completely. Avoid scrubbing with too much pressure as it will leave scratch marks on the surface of your table.
Using hot soapy water works best for cleaning it from both your drain and your skin. Prolonged skin exposure to mineral spirits will lead to irritation, but once washed off thoroughly with hot soapy water, the irritation starts to go away.
May cause irritation, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation, loss of coordination, lung congestion, internal bleeding, lung damage (from aspiration). May cause irritation of the skin. May cause irritation of the eyes. Aspiration hazard.
Pure mineral spirits and related paint thinner have no difference in terms of safety. Both products are equally toxic. Long-term exposure in high quantities may adversely affect your health. For that reason, always make sure that you are working in a well-ventilated area when using mineral spirits with added benzene.
Mineral spirits can help to remove layers of dirt that build up over the years. For grimy wooden furniture, Murphy's Oil Soap is also an option. Always test before you do the surface of a piece. Once the piece is clean, you can use a small amount of mineral oil to shine it up.
Use Vinegar
In cleaning your veneer wood floor, you can also use it by pouring it into a spray bottle, mixing it with water, and shaking the bottle vigorously for a proper mix. Since it's abrasive on its own, you have to mix it with water before using it to clean the veneer.
Brush with Non-Abrasive Polishing Toothpaste
If the glazing is wearing down, this can also help revitalize the shine. Avoid tooth-whitening toothpastes with bleach and harsh abrasives such as baking soda. These will work on your natural teeth only, whitening them in ways that may not match with your porcelain veneers.
Use a damp, lint-free cloth
For the best results, wipe in the direction of the wood grain and if you are trying to tackle those more stubborn marks caused by food and drink, apply a dab of mild washing up liquid to your cloth and again wipe in the direction of the wood grain.
Conclusion: Chemical stripping is your better option for a veneered piece. If you have sanded veneer and feel comfortable doing, it can certainly be done, just be patient, start at 100 or 120 rather than a 60 or 80 grit. Don't press hard with the sander, let it do the work. Check your paper for finish build up.
Boiled linseed oil and tung oil are two of the most popular types of oil used for veneer wood, although if you are installing them into the kitchen, mineral oil is probably the best option as it more food safe.
If you have a bottle of Murphy's Oil Soap under your kitchen sink or in your laundry room that you use to clean your hardwood floors, go get it and throw it in the garbage. Seriously, stop using it today. You can use it for other projects like furniture or cabinets but NEVER for wood floors.
Which polish is ideal for veneer surfaces? Melamine polish on veneer gives furniture a matte finish that keeps the natural wooden look of furniture intact. Melamine polish requires less time to dry, leaves a stable thin layer that can withstand heat, and requires minimal upkeep.
Veneered tabletops can be retreated in the same way as solid wood tabletops. We recommend that you oil your tabletop regularly, all depending on the location and use. As the veneer is relatively thin, great care must be taken when using abrasive sponges and sandpaper.
No. While the two are related, they are not the same thing and they are used for different purposes. For example, mineral oil is used to add a layer of protection to wood, while mineral spirits are used to take away a layer (thin paint, degrease, and clean).
Paint thinner is mineral spirits, but in a less refined form. It contains other types of solvents, which makes it a lot smellier and more volatile. Mineral spirits is not as stinky. Because it's more refined, it's slightly more effective in smaller quantities than paint lacquer thinner.