Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe in the direction of the grain. Thoroughly dry the surface with another clean cloth. Stubborn grime: If water alone doesn't clean your wood veneer table, try diluting a mild soap with warm water and applying the mixture with a microfiber cloth.
Apply small amount of gunstock (boiled linseed or tung) oil to a clean, soft, cotton cloth. Wipe small sections at a time in direction of grain using a circular motion until the entire veneer surface is coated. Be sure to apply oil to all exposed edges of the veneer.
General Cleaning
Keep the cloth dry if you are dusting or slightly dampen the cloth with mild soap and water for cleaning. Be sure to wipe the veneer dry after using the damp cloth. It's also important to wipe with the wood grain—that is, be sure to work in the same direction as the pattern in the wood.
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.
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.
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.
A skilled cosmetic dentist can polish the veneer, give it luster, and almost match the original glaze. Although it doesn't require the same specialized skill as a smile makeover, polishing a veneer involves knowledge of the process and specialized materials.
When water is spilled onto a wood veneer and not immediately wiped away, there is a danger it could leave a stain behind. This will look darker than the surrounding wood and have its own unique discoloured pattern as salt and minerals are left behind as the water evaporates.
Baking soda wears down veneer finishes and can create microabrasions that give bacteria a place to live. Using baking soda toothpastes can often make veneer staining worse! At-home whitening kits don't work well on veneers.
When refinishing veneer furniture, it's important not to over-sand a project, otherwise you'll break through to the plywood below. Too little sanding won't remove all of the scratches and dents. We recommend having a variety of grits, 100, 120, 320. The lower the number, the more abrasive the grit.
First and foremost, do not use aerosol wood cleaners or polishes. However, it isn't just the aerosol ones that can harm your wood veneers. Check the ingredients and avoid any that contain wax or are oil-based. For general cleaning, you do not need anything fancy.
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.
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.
Clean veneer and solid wood furniture 6-12 times a year with a mix of water and mild soaps such as Murphy Oil Soap. Dust your furniture regularly between cleanings (about once a week) with a dry dust cloth or a furniture polish that does not contain wax or silicone, such as Endust.
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.
Keeping your varnished wood clean
To stop a build-up of dust and dirt gathering on top of the varnish, you should wipe your wood regularly with a dry, lint-free cloth. If you do find a particularly stubborn or sticky substance on your varnish, you can wipe this with a damp cloth.
All timber veneers need to be finished with either a lacquer or an oil. These are available in either clear or coloured. Clear options can be applied over a raw timber to retain the natural colour or applied over a stain.
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.
Acrylic, polyurethane and solvent based lacquers are the most widely used. Lacquers made from acrylic polyurethane are best for use on engineered and natural timber veneers. Acrylic polyurethane offers excellent durability and resistance to heat, water and yellowing.
Wood veneer is a thin slice of natural wood that is attached, through gluing or pressing, onto a panel of fibreboard (MDF or HDF), particleboard or plycore. Particleboard is the most common and cost effective, but having a plycore layer in the centre is the best and most durable option.
How to Sand Veneer. Practice patience when hand sanding small veneered pieces. For most veneer types, we recommend starting with nothing coarser than a 100-grit and slowly working your way up to a 220-grit or finer, depending on the piece and desired outcome. All increases and changes should be gradual.