WOODCARVING & ACCESSORIES

CLEANING AND POLISHING TIPS FOR ALL TYPES OF WOOD

Even if your home isn’t crammed with antiques and family heirlooms, you still need to take care of your modern wooden furniture (they could become antiques in 100 years’ time !!).   

Whether it’s a teak table from Bali, a recliner from Scandinavia, a coffee table from Brazil or a painted desk from the shop on the corner, it all needs some TLC.  With the right cleaning and care, you’ll be able to preserve your furniture’s good looks and functionality as well as maintain its value .

If you know what the different finishes of your furniture are, it’s easier to care for them optimally. 

The following is a beginner’s guide to everyday care of different types of wooden furniture.  And even if you’re pressed for time, so even a quick furniture polish or wax is like a facial for furniture!.

GENERAL CARE

When dusting or cleaning, always use a soft, damp (not wet) lint-free cloth, and rub in the direction of the grain of the wood.    You should avoid using furniture sprays that contain silicon as they can leave a film on the wood’s natural surface and also penetrate and damage the surface.  It’s also important to dust regularly as grime can be abrasive and scratch the wood surface.  But while dusting and cleaning will help wooden surfaces appear richer and warmer, it won’t actually change the condition of the wood or protect the finish.  For this, you’ll need to apply wax polish or wood oil to restore the finish and safeguard the pieces from future damage.  

FURNITURE THAT HAS BEEN PAINTED, OR PAINT-TECHNIQUED

The first step for caring for painted furniture is to keep it clean by wiping with a damp cloth or sponge, but take care not to leave spots of water.  Apply a very light layer of wood oil once or twice a year.

POLISHED WOOD

Orange oil is excellent for restoring the patina of polished surfaces (as well as unpolished or oiled woods) as it breaks down dirt and wax build-up and restores the natural patina of the wood.

OILED WOOD

These only need the occasional application of furniture oil to maintain their warm, natural, soft glow.  Orange oil is an excellent choice as it has great cleaning properties, is non-toxic and doesn’t contain silicon.  Apply a thin layer using a soft, lint-free cloth and then buff well.  It’s best not to use a wax furniture polish on oiled surfaces as this can have an effect on the porosity.

FURNITURE THAT HAS BEEN FRENCH-POLISHED, LACQUER OR SHELLAC

First introduced in the early 1800s, these high-gloss finishes are prone to chipping and are not very durable.  Many commercial furniture care sprays contain solvents which can damage the delicate surface .  Lacquered surfaces won’t absorb wood oil, so the best thing to do is to apply a light coating of natural wax polish .  

VENEERED FURNITURE

Veneered furniture does not like extreme conditions (damp or dry) and if water or polish gets beneath the surface, the veneer could buckle, split or lift, so particular care has to be taken when cleaning and treating these pieces. 

CANE, WICKER, LEATHER, VINYL ETC

When it comes to cane and wicker furniture and for feeding unpolished wooden surfaces such as the insides of draws and the undersides of tables, orange oil is a good choice. 

Many furniture creams and restoring polishes can be used for leather care and vinyl.  Always aim to keep leather dust-free, and wipe down with a damp cloth or sponge.  Beeswax and orange oil are good options as they are nourishing and restorative, leaving the leather supple and resistant to water and dirt. 

A word of advice from someone who has been in the business of making wood look good for decades, Australian supplier of creams, waxes and polishes, Gilly Stephenson, is to think of wood as a person.  A little TLC has the same effect on both … it makes them feel and look marvelous!”   These products are manufactured from a unique recipe using the finest beeswax and orange oil – with no silicone or toluene – and are completely natural.

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