Wood furniture is incredibly popular due to its beautiful appearance and relatively low required maintenance. However, even wood furniture will require periodic cleaning to extend its lifespan and ensure that it maintains the best possible appearance. Though wood is exceptionally durable, it can have a negative reaction when it comes into contact with many various substances. It is important to understand the steps to take to safely clean wood furniture to keep your belongings in pristine condition.
Regular Maintenance
When dust is allowed to accumulate, it can quickly allow grime to build up. Regular maintenance can help to minimize the frequency of required cleanings by preventing the wood from growing dirty in the first place. It is important to regularly remove dust from the surface of the wood furniture. You also need to take the steps to remove messes whenever they occur. Dust gently in order to remove the dust from the furniture. Many experts recommend that you use a microfiber cloth in place of a feather duster, as they are more effective at holding dust particles, rather than simply spreading them around. You may also want to consider adding polish to help protect the finish. Take care not to do this too often, however, because this can cause the accumulation of a foreign substance.
Safely Clean Wood Furniture
There are many steps necessary to protect your wood furniture while you clean it. Using the wrong products or techniques can cause damage to the surface of the wood. Understanding the appropriate steps to safely clean wood furniture can go a long way toward protecting your furniture and extending its overall lifespan. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you clean your wood furniture.
Be Gentle
Harsh chemicals can easily cause damage to the finish of wood furniture. Whether you know what kind of finish is on your wood furniture or not, you should start with the gentlest cleaner available. Most experts agree that you should first try to clean your wood furniture with a mixture of dish soap and water. If this doesn’t work, you can try slightly stronger cleaners, but this is usually sufficient. Ensure that you use the liquid dish soap that is intended for handwashing dishes, as the kind intended for dishwashers is slightly more acidic. Test the cleanser on a small, unnoticeable area of the furniture before using it to wash the entire thing. As long as there are no stains, discolorations, or damaged areas on the furniture, the cleanser should be safe to use.
Wipe, Don’t Scrub
Hard scrubbing can cause damage and wear to the surface of the wood furniture. Gently wipe the surface of the furniture with a soft cloth when you clean your furniture. Move the rag in the direction of the grain of the wood. This can go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of scratches and damage to the wood.
Take Care with Water
Water is one of the leading causes of damage to wood. When moisture is allowed to sit on the surface of wood furniture, it can cause the wood to warp and lead to irreversible damage. Never use a soaked cloth to clean wood. A damp cloth will be more than capable of cleaning the wooden surface. Ensure that you dry the furniture after you wash it to prevent the moisture from causing damage to the wood.
Hard to Reach Places
When there are areas of the furniture that are rather difficult to reach, you may want to make use of an old toothbrush. Apply a small amount of your cleaning solution to the bristles and gently use it to reach the more difficult areas of the furniture. Ensure that you are careful during this step; placing too much pressure on the toothbrush can cause the bristles to scratch the surface of the wood.
Protect the Finish
The finish of your wood may be vulnerable to sustaining damage and discoloration. Ensuring that your finish is appropriately protected can help to keep the wood furniture in good condition. In addition, the finish is often what determines the final appearance of the wood. You can protect the finish of the wood in a few different ways. Furniture polish is often designed to provide protection to the finish of wood. Specific wax can also add a layer of protection to the finish of the wood. Ensure that you use the appropriate kind of wax and don’t use it too often, as this can cause unnecessary buildup.
Stain Removal
The appearance of stains can tempt you to vigorously scrub the surface of the wood with harsh chemicals. However, this will merely cause damage to your wood furniture. There are methods that can help you to safely clean wood that has sustained stains. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water in order to gently remove stains from the surface of the wood. This can go a long way toward enhancing the appearance of the furniture without causing damage.
Wood Floors
Your wood floors sustain a significant amount of wear. It is important to take the right steps to keep your hardwood floors in good condition. Never use a soaked mop to clean hardwood floors, due to the damage that sitting moisture can do to wood. Place mats at entryways into the home in order to minimize the debris that is tracked onto the floors. Ensure that you sweep, vacuum, or dry mop frequently to reduce the frequency of required cleaning. Be careful to sweep along the grain of the floor and only use a vacuum that has a soft floor nozzle. A microfiber mop head can help to collect significant amounts of dust and pet hair from the floor. Never steam clean wood floors.
Here at Sugarhouse Furniture, we offer a large selection of beautiful wood furniture to improve the appearance and décor of your home. We have everything from dining tables to office furniture. Side tables, dressers, and more can all be obtained with a visit to our store. Understanding how to properly care for this furniture can help to extend its lifetime and improve its appearance. To learn more about how to safely clean wood furniture, contact us at Sugarhouse Furniture today!
