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Wood furniture is classic - it provides a stunning, natural aesthetic that fits into any home, and goes well with any material from natural stone to industrial stainless steel. As a dining room table, a wooden table would be the centerpiece of the room - as long as it is kept in good condition.
Wood furniture is not only known for its natural look, it is also known to be a high maintenance material that can easily scratch, chip, discolor, or grow mold with improper cleaning practices. Our helpful guide will show you how to clean wood furniture with ease, and without damaging the material!
What You'll Need
Cleaning wood furniture requires gentle and mild cleaning products to prevent damage to the wood. White vinegar works well to clean wood furniture, but a commercial wood furniture cleaner or mild dish soap removes any oils from wood.
- White vinegar OR
- Wood furniture cleaner OR
- Mild dish soap OR
- Castile soap
- Warm water
- Olive oil - for polishing
- Microfiber cloth - or any lint-free cloth
- Carnauba wax - optional; for sealing wooden dining table
- Hairdryer
How to Clean Wood Dining Table: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Mix Your Preferred Cleaning Solution
Choose your preferred cleaning solution to clean your wood table. A water and vinegar mixture is gentle on wood tables, and can be made with equal parts water and vinegar. It can kill mold, remove stains, and refresh the wood grain as well. However, vinegar may leave a smell, and it may remove the color from dyed wood furniture.
A liter of water with 1-2 tablespoons of mild dish soap can remove dust particles and oils from solid wood, but be careful not to saturate the wood table to prevent water stains forming on the surface. A commercial wooden furniture cleaner is your safest and most effective option, but may be inaccessible or pricey.
Step 2: Wipe the Table Clean
Dry Wipe
First, take a soft cloth and wipe the dust off your wood dining table. This will remove as much loose dust as possible before you clean it with a liquid solution. Wipe the sides, legs, and underside of the table as well.
Wiping with Cleaning Solution
Take a microfiber cloth and dampen it with some warm water. Add a few drops of your preferred cleaning solution, and start wiping the entire surface of your wood dining table. Make sure your cloth is damp but not dripping wet to avoid soaking the surface. Wipe away any visible spots and oily marks on the wood table.
Step 3: Remove Any Stains
If there are any stains, use the vinegar mixture to spot-clean wood furniture. Vinegar should lift the stains out so you can wipe them clean. Some stain spots, like a water stain, oil stain, or similar spots may need some baking soda to completely remove.
Step 4: Polish the Table's Surface
Take a dry but soft cloth and start polishing the table to a shiny finish. Choose a lint-free material, and go over your entire wooden kitchen table with your dry microfiber cloth. Wipe in circular motion to prevent streaks, and to bring out the shine of the varnish. Continue to buff the table's surface until you see a smooth, glossy surface.
Step 5: Seal the Wooden Surface
Take your olive oil and apply a few drops of the oil on a piece of dry cloth. Use the cloth to wipe the olive oil all over the surface, sealing the wood. If using carnauba wax, rub the wax on the table until the surface is fully covered, and use a hairdryer to melt the wax into the solid wood. This will add a protective layer on the wood, and keep it from getting water and oil stains.
Tips to Upkeep Your Wood Furniture
- Run a damp cloth over the surface of your wood furniture after every use to remove spills, clean up dust, and get rid of oils before they set.
- Consider sealing your wood table every month with oil, wax, or a wood sealant to keep it water resistant and shiny.
- Avoid soaking or drying out the wooden material as a change in moisture levels can cause the material to expand or shrink, creating moisture damage.
- Avoid placing hot items on wood. Heat will cause moisture in the wood to evaporate, creating white rings and water stains on the surface.
- Avoid scratching the wood as scratches can be the starting point for wear and tear, damage, mold growth, and bacterial growth.
Keep Clean with Luce
Luce Home is your trusted cleaning service provider with services available to all homes across Singapore. Our experienced and professional cleaning crew will get rid of those spots, stains, and dirt from your home with ease, and we'll refresh the look of your furniture so you can enjoy the comforts of a clean, spotless home!
Contact us today, and let's schedule a cleaning session so you can feel the difference.
