When cleaning these surfaces, create a soapy mixture with dish soap and warm water, then wipe down the painted wood surface. If you'd prefer a cleaning alternative, feel free to use vinegar or ammonia instead. With a little bit of TLC, your painted wood fixtures will be squeaky clean in no time!
Clean the surface of the wood
To ensure that your primer and paint bond well with the wooden material, clean the wood thoroughly with a TSP and water mixture. Be sure to allow adequate time for the wood to air dry to prevent paint blistering or even mold growth between paint coats.
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.
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.”
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.
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!
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.
I love cleaning with vinegar and water. It is cheap, environmentally friendly, and works well. To tackle the dirt on these pieces I just sprayed and thoroughly wiped, paying special attention to flat areas where dirt had collected over time.
If your interior doors are painted, wipe them gently from top to bottom with a mix of warm water and soap or an all-purpose cleaner. Try cleaning a small spot before wiping the entire door to make sure that you don't remove any of the paint.
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. Taking a proactive approach to cleaning will prevent a build-up of grime and grease.
Spot cleaning walls and doors instructions
Mix water and mild soap in bucket. To remove mild stains, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser®. To remove grease stains from painted walls, use a degreaser applied to damp cloth and gently wipe the wall.
Dampen a cleaning cloth with water, and wipe in an inconspicuous area to ensure water won't damage or stain the paint. Glossy-looking finishes are almost always safe to clean with water, while matte finishes should be tested first. No matter what the finish, it's best to avoid over-wetting the surface.
DOWN AND DIRTY
Using some warm water and mild dish soap, wipe down wood trim and molding to remove typical dirt and grime. Apply extra elbow grease to hardened spots, often in highly trafficked areas, such as where wood trim runs along busy hallways or entryways.
Mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water, and use a soft sponge to tackle stubborn stains. You can also try using washing-up liquid and warm water. For glossy finishes, which are less durable when it comes to cleaning, avoid harsh substances and consider using heat instead.
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.
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.
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.
White vinegar is very effective in getting rid of dirt that dulls the aesthetics of wooden furniture. It can be used to remove superficial stains or those installed in depth. Applied to varnished wood, it instantly dissolves grime and restores the shine of the wood.
The only difference between cleaning vinegar and distilled white vinegar is the level of acidity. They are both made through a process where alcohols are distilled from grain and allowed to ferment as microorganisms process the alcohol into acetic acid and water or vinegar.
Acid stains
The vinegar will help to soften the stain for easy removal while baking soda will neutralize the damage caused by the acid to the wood floor. To remove stains from your wood floor, you will need to: Prepare a vinegar solution and mop your entire floor with this solution.