Rub the cloth lightly over the surface of the wood in a circular motion.
Clean antique oak furniture.
To prevent the buildup of grime dust your furniture regularly.
Aim to get about 95 clean this way then switch over to using the furniture polish to get the rest of the dirt off.
Dip a soft cloth in the solution and wring it out to remove excess water.
Steep two tea bags in boiling water.
Check for wax by running your fingernail along the wood.
Knowing how to clean old wood furniture that has decades old buildup of polish will help you revitalize an antique.
Do not soak the wood.
Let the tea cool to room temperature take a soft cloth wring it out in the tea until it s damp and wash the wood.
Mix a little bit of murphy s oil soap into some warm water according to the package directions lightly dampen a soft cloth in the solution then gently begin to wipe away the stuck on dust and dirt.
Clean your furniture with a little white spirit turps to remove the vegetable oil.
A mixture of dish soap and water is usually all you need for this procedure.
A weak solution of vinegar diluted in water can be used to clean more thoroughly but only on polished undamaged wood.
The tannic acid from the tea is wonderful for maintaining wood.
Follow with a good wax polish.
Dust antique furniture regularly.
This is a common mistake.
Do not clean good furniture with water soap or oils.
Let it dry preferably over night then buff with a soft cloth.
Wipe the wooden furniture clean with the soap and water.
Wash off grime and scuff marks with a sponge and then dry the wood with a rag.
Stay away from spots where the finish is chipped off or cracked to avoid wetting the wood and causing it to swell.
Wipe down the entire piece of furniture making sure you get into the nooks and crannies.
Rotate the cloth frequently to avoid spreading the dirt it absorbs.
Mix water and dish soap in a bucket and use this solution to sponge down the entire piece of furniture.
If you re using dusting sprays go for a mild spray or no spray at all on antiques.
If the mild soapy solution doesn t work you can use a stronger cleaning solution.
Quickly dry the area with a soft clean cloth.
When doing routine dusting in your home take a rag and dust off any debris built up on antique furniture.