Wednesday, April 29, 2009
FURNITURE CLEANING
Recent articles in major newspapers and magazines about "green" ways to polish furniture have suggested using olive or cooking oills with lemon juice to polish wood furniture. Some even say it will "feed" or "hydrate" the wood. The wood in your furniture is dead and can't be fed. The oil leaves a glossy layer of oil that will eventually attract dust, hide the grain, and make the wood darker. The oil could even become rancid and have an odor. Do not use cooking oils. The best polishes for antique furniture are made of wax. It is a gamble to use the spray polishes available at grocery stores. Some of these have silicon and other products that will disturb the original finish. Always read the labels.
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6 comments:
How about "Lemon oil"?
Would you please suggest some appropriate furniture polishes? I need specific brands, etc. Thank you.
I have used mineral oil on my grandmother's oak table for years! The finish is it's natural color and the oil protects beautifully. I have also put it on chairs after cleaning them well. No problems so far. Judi
I generally wax our furniture, especially period pieces, twice a year. But, I have used Pledge on a regular(at least weekly)basis for over 40 years (including the period pieces,(without any harmful effects. And, no I don't work for Johnson Wax. It is just a great product. And, yes, I agree-stay away from the lemon, olive oil, etc...
WAX?!? Wax is the culprit for locking in dust over the centuries and concealing beautiful wood. I can't speak for olive oil (aside from the fact that it is the best oil for humans to consume), but good old lemon oil will keep wood healthy (yes, the wood is dead... but the dead wood lasts a whole lot longer if it does not dry and warp). The oil will also - over multiple applications - gently cleanse away the years of wax that "protected" the wood. You will be amazed at the real wood that is revealed; most particularly with dark woods like mahogany that turn almost black after decades and decades of waxing. Of course, if you think that mahogany from over a century past is supposed to be black and shiny... well, keep on waxing!
Cleaning and polishing seems to be a personal preference and on regions. I personally have used real mayonnaise once a year on our wood furniture, including the piano. This seems to hydrate the wood, gives a lovely glow and actually cleans the grime and dust out of the pores! Other than the dog drooling while I'm polishing, the wood, even after over 30 years, has not darkened..just nice and rich.
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