No matter the surface, it is easiest to always use a good dish soap and water to dilute it for your cleanser. All-purpose cleaner, wood cleaner, and white vinegar are also suitable alternatives. But if you're not sure and you want to be safe, it is best to stick to good old soap and water!
Everyday care: Painted furniture is almost the easiest to keep clean. On a weekly basis, dust or wipe clean with a cloth dampened with water. Be sure not to leave water spots on the surface, as they'll dry and could leave permanent marks.
Use a cleaner that's designed to cut through oil or grease. For light cleaning, a 50/50 mix of plain vinegar and water cleans and requires no rinsing. For heavier dirt or buildup, a mixture comprising a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid or 1/4 cup of oil soap in a gallon of water helps cut the oils.
CLEANERS FOR BASEBOARDS & TRIM
If painted, your wood trim requires mild soap and water. Use a mild, natural wood cleaner on clear-coated or stained wood trim. If the wood has excessive buildup, add paint thinner to your solution to help, according to This Old House Magazine.
A diluted solution of mild dish soap and water is suitable for cleaning most surfaces, including your painted white doors. Some people swear by cleaning paintwork with vinegar, but vinegar can be too acidic.
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.
Dish soap and warm water, along with a microfiber cloth, is the best solution for cleaning a painted cabinet. Dish soap will effectively remove any food-related grime.
You can clean these surfaces by mixing dish soap with warm water and wiping them over with a paper towel. Alternatively, white vinegar or ammonia can be used in place of the cleaning agent. As long as you apply a little care to the painted wood surfaces, your fixtures will be squeaky clean in no time.
Dip a clean cloth into a solution of 1 teaspoon of borax, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1/4 cup dishwashing detergent and 1 1/2 cups hot water. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. Wring the cloth out until it is almost dry and rub the furniture piece using a gentle circular motion.
These versatile cleaners are made from natural vegetable oils, and are safe to use on any kind of wood—including flooring, chairs and cabinets. Dilute a gallon of warm water with this soap, and use a soft rag dipped in the solution to wipe down your cabinets.
First, wash in a small amount of talcum powder over the tacky paint surface. After it has been rubbed onto the paint, use your fingernail to ensure that it sticks to the surface. Using this carefully is a good idea since you will not want to mess it up. Make sure the paint is not tacky by spraying it with water.
Warm Water & White Vinegar
This is usually strong enough, but you can try a 2:1 ratio if you've got tough stains. Spray liberally on your surfaces and then wipe them down with a damp sponge, being careful to use a circular motion and gentle strokes when wiping. The sponge should remove grease and stains easily.
Avoid These Cleaners on Painted Cabinets: Magic Eraser or similar sponges, abrasive powder or scrubbing pads, cleaners with abrasive particles, intense detergents, or ammonia oil soap, spray polishes containing silicone, petroleum products, or wax citrus/orange cleaner.
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.
Lauren explained: “Depending on what wood you have, the baking soda can have a chemical reaction with the tannins in the wood. “This chemical reaction darkens the wood, causing stains which you can't get out.”
For a wood coated with a hard surface, like wooden furniture, Windex is completely harmless. If it is sprayed on and kept dry, it will leave a water spot, which could be cleaned off. It won't damage your furniture when used as a cleaner.
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.
It is just a mild detergent which is especially useful for preparing paintwork because, once it has been rinsed away, will not leave behind any residues that may hamper the adhesion of your new coat of paint.
The best way to clean walls painted with latex paint is to use warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. Dip a clean sponge in the water, then wring it dry. Gently rub the wall. Pay special attention to areas that get touched often, such as around doorknobs and light switches.
Mix equal parts water with gentle dish soap or vinegar and lightly scrub the door using a soft sponge or cloth. If the door is wood, make sure to wipe the door in the direction of the grain. Dry with a heavy duty paper towel or dry cloth. Clean your door fixtures using commercial cleaner.
Wipe with a very lightly dampened sponge, dipped in a solution of washing-up liquid. Don't rub hard or you may damage the surface. To make cleaning easier, consider using washable paper or paint. Heavily soiled paintwork can be washed with a sugar soap solution and rinsed with clean, clear water.
Mix a bucket of warm water, liquid dish soap and vinegar. Dip a sponge or soft cloth in the mixture and scrub scuffs and stains. A melamine sponge (sold under the brand Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) is a good choice for scrubbing tough grime.