Start by dusting the furniture with a microfiber cloth to remove surface debris and prevent scratches. For deeper cleaning, use a mild wood cleaner or a mixture of warm water and gentle dish soap. Apply the cleaner sparingly with a soft-bristle brush, working in the direction of the wood grain.
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.
Unsealed Wood: Unsealed or unfinished wood surfaces can absorb vinegar, causing the wood to swell and potentially crack. For cleaning unsealed wood, use a mixture of water and mild dish soap.
Murphy Oil Soap should not be used on unfinished, unsealed, or waxed wood surfaces because they may be water sensitive.
You can use natural oils, floor wax, or vinegar to clean your unfinished wood floors. You can also use a whole set of cleaning and polishing products, such as mineral spirits, tri-sodium phosphate, oil soaps, chemical cleaners, etc.
For Water Based Finishes
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
Safe Cleaning
It's important to dilute these substances properly. Too much vinegar can potentially dull the wood finish over time due to its acidity, while too much Dawn can leave a slippery residue. The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn.
In some cases, baking soda can cause discolouration on wood surfaces, especially if left to sit for too long. The alkaline nature of baking soda may react with certain types of wood or finishes, resulting in a faded or cloudy appearance.
Can a little homemade cleaning spray and disinfectant really do that much damage? Yes. And this is because of how alcohol interacts with wood and wood finishes. While you might expect it to do nothing or just leave a small stain, rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent when it comes into contact with wood and wood finishes.
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.
Mix 3 parts hemp oil to 1 part distilled white vinegar. The oil must be an oil that is made for furniture refinishing, so it will not go rancid. If you pull vegetable oil from your kitchen cabinet, you will likely have that problem. The oil hydrates the wood while the vinegar cleans it.
Oil Soap: Unlike a typical household soap, oil soap will both clean and moisturize the existing wood finish.
Avoid using Clorox wipes on electronics, like treadmill screens or weight machine displays. Avoid unfinished wood, as the chemicals can strip away protective finishes and leave the wood vulnerable to moisture damage.
Don't use vinegar on unsealed wood: If your wood furniture is unsealed, vinegar can penetrate the wood and cause damage. Only use vinegar on sealed wood furniture. Don't use vinegar on waxed or oiled wood: If your wood furniture is waxed or oiled, vinegar can dissolve the wax or oil and cause damage.
Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)
Petroleum jelly can gently penetrate the wood's surface without damaging it, much like it does your skin. Blot the stain, then use a dry sponge or towel to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Let it stand overnight and wipe away in the morning.
A small scratch or a scuff mark may be softened with a tiny bit of toothpaste on a cloth. However, always use a barely-there amount, and don't make a habit of it. Toothpaste might offer a short-term fix, but repeated applications can lead to dull, scratched wood.
CONSIDER CLEANING:
with a mild nonalkaline soap and water. Use the suds in a damp sponge or cloth, but be sure to pre-test the solution on an inconspicuous section to make sure it doesn't damage the finish. Ensure the cloth is not too wet to avoid excessive moisture on the wood.
Do NOT clean your floors with Murphy's Oil Soap, Mop and Glo, Orange Glo, Swiffer Wet Mop, furniture polish such as Pledge, vinegar, ammonia, or any pine cleaners! All of these cleaners, over time, will dull and damage the finish.
Cleaning Unfinished Wood Furniture
Regular cleaning is essential to keep your unfinished wood furniture looking its best. Start by dusting the furniture with a microfiber cloth to remove surface debris and prevent scratches. For deeper cleaning, use a mild wood cleaner or a mixture of warm water and gentle dish soap.
Conclusion. So, the Murphy's Oil Soap vs Bona debate is over, and Bona wins. These are some of the best hardwood floor cleaners, but the flooring market is full of competitors. Their hardwood floor cleaner is said to be overall better by all the homeowners who have been using it for years.
The best way to avoid cloudy and/or damaged areas on your wooden cabinetry and furniture is to avoid using Pledge and like products altogether.
Unsealed parquet floors are fairly easy to clean. They should only be cleaned with a vacuum, broom, or mop, and if you need to use moisture to remove any dirt, then try to stick to only water.