The essentials
- To clean a wooden piece of furniture: first dust it with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then apply a cleaning product or a natural solution, always after testing it on a hidden area.
- Three natural products are sufficient in most cases: white vinegar (once a year on varnished wood), lemon combined with baking soda, and brewed black tea for varnished wood.
- Excess water is wood’s enemy: the cloth should remain slightly damp, never soaked. “All-purpose” sprays, bleach and chemical products should be avoided.
- When dealing with a stain, always rub in the direction of the wood grain, never in circular motions. For an antique piece of furniture, never pour the stain remover directly onto the wood.
- To clean varnished wood before painting it: use a mixture of water and soda crystals, applied very gently with a microfibre cloth.
Cleaning a modern, designer or antique wooden piece of furniture is an art in itself! We care about them, their style and their material, but an accident can happen quickly... And the desire to take good care of our furniture is particularly strong at a time when the durability of our furniture is becoming increasingly important! Whether you want to dust off old, grimy wooden furniture or simply maintain and remove stains from furniture that has just been taken out of its packaging—such as grease, water, ink or wine—you need the right products (natural ones, perhaps!), plenty of care and the right techniques. Natural solutions for easily cleaning your wooden furniture have always existed, as we will see in this article. To help you as much as possible, we decided to call on a wood expert, Gabriel, an engineer and cabinetmaker by training and a lover of beautiful furniture and wood, who kindly agreed to answer all our questions about wood care.
How to clean wooden furniture: general rules
Cleaning wooden furniture involves three steps: dusting with a feather duster or a soft, slightly damp cloth, applying a wood-cleaning product or natural solution after testing it on a hidden area, and never pouring stain remover directly onto the wood of an antique piece of furniture. Very sticky stains should be treated with warm or hot soapy water.
A few general points before starting your cleaning. When you decide to clean wooden furniture such as a bedside table, a TV stand or a solid-wood occasional table, you should first avoid using “all-purpose” cleaning sprays or household products such as bleach, cleaning products, chemicals, etc., unless your furniture is covered with a plastic coating. To avoid causing a stain that may be difficult to remove, do not use cold water and do not wipe directly with paper towels. Very sticky stains can be treated with warm or hot soapy water.
Be careful: excess water is not wood’s friend. Always make sure you use a cloth or sponge that is slightly damp and not completely soaked when you want to clean a wooden table, an old chest of drawers or any other contemporary piece of furniture.
To get started in just a few steps, here is a summary of the actions to take:
- The first step is always to dust the wood with a feather duster or a very soft, slightly damp cloth. Using a vacuum cleaner also makes it easier to remove dust from the inside.
- The second step is to use a wood-cleaning product or a natural solution, always remembering to test it on a hidden area of the furniture. Some chemical products, in addition to damaging the quality of the wood, can make it even stickier and cause further grime to build up. Choose natural methods and traditional household tips instead. To remove stains and impurities, nothing beats white vinegar (once a year): if the wood is varnished, white vinegar instantly dissolves all the grime and restores the wood’s appearance. Alternatively, you can use lemon combined with baking soda: rub half a lemon well over the wood, then clean it with baking soda diluted in water.
Another much less well-known natural product for cleaning varnished wood is tea. The tannic acid it contains cleans and makes wooden furniture shine without damaging the varnish layer. You can therefore brew black tea, then let the water cool without removing the tea bags. Soak a soft cloth in the brewed tea, apply it gently to the wood, then dry it. - Warning: when cleaning an antique piece of furniture, never pour stain remover directly onto the wood.
What is the best technique for dusting wooden furniture?
A soft or microfibre cloth that is just dampened is sufficient for dusting wooden furniture. The moisture traps the dust and prevents it from flying around the room. Unfold the cloth regularly to change sides, or shake it out. Solvent-based products are strongly discouraged for simple dusting.
For simply dusting furniture as part of regular maintenance or for a more thorough wood-cleaning operation, a barely damp cloth and some elbow grease are your allies. To remove the ever-present dust from your furniture, dust it regularly with a soft cloth or microfibre cloth; this is sufficient for routine care.
It is strongly recommended not to use solvent-based products simply to dust wood. You can even use a simple cloth or a slightly dampened microfibre cloth, which will trap dust more effectively. This technique will give you a better finish and a smooth effect that lasts longer.
As for the technique, remove the dust gently, unfolding your cloth regularly to change sides or shaking it out. You can carry out this dusting task inside the room: if your cloth is damp, the dust will not fly throughout the room. If you have an outdoor area, you can choose to do this outside if the furniture is particularly dusty.
However, be careful NEVER to wet your cloth too much.
How do you clean varnished wooden furniture before painting it?
To clean varnished wooden furniture before painting it, prepare a mixture of water and soda crystals and rub very gently with a microfibre cloth: this mixture cleans the wood thoroughly. Baking soda and other chemical products should be avoided on varnished wood, as they make the wood sticky or scratch it.
How can you tell the difference between varnished and waxed wood? Try the water-drop test. Pour a small amount of water onto your antique piece of furniture and observe the reaction: it will leave a stain if the furniture is waxed. If it is varnished, the water will roll off like a marble. Once you have determined the type of finish, take a microfibre cloth. Prepare a mixture of water and soda crystals, then rub very gently with the cloth: this will clean your wooden furniture thoroughly.
Baking soda and other chemical products should be avoided when caring for varnished wooden furniture. They may make the wood sticky or even scratch it.
How do you clean wooden furniture naturally?
Each type of stain calls for a specific natural product: Sommières earth for grease and ink, lemon juice or a fine-salt paste for water, and salt, lemon or baking soda for wine. The general rule: always rub in the direction of the wood grain, never in circular motions.
| Type of stain | Key action |
|---|---|
| Grease | Sommières earth mixed with a little water, paper towels and a hot iron |
| Water | Lemon juice on microfibre, or a paste made from fine salt (1 tablespoon) and a few drops of water |
| Wine | Salt or lemon immediately, a wine cork, or an abrasive baking-soda paste |
| Ink | Immediate cleaning, Sommières earth, paper towels and a hot iron |
What are the different types of stains found on wood, and how can they be cleaned naturally?
How do you clean a grease stain from wood?
The key action: absorb as much grease as possible using Sommières earth, paper towels and an iron.
A relatively little-known ingredient, Sommières earth is a fine clay powder originating from the village of Sommières near Montpellier in Occitania. It is a highly effective natural stain remover that eliminates grease stains such as oil and butter through absorption. Spread Sommières earth mixed with a little water, place paper towels over it and run a hot iron over the area. Repeat until the stain disappears.
This is an easy-to-use natural technique, but you can also use ammonia or white spirit, applied to a small microfibre cloth, and rub vigorously if the natural method is not effective.
How do you clean a water stain from wood?
The key action: soak your microfibre cloth with a little lemon juice, or make a paste with fine salt (one tablespoon) and a few drops of water to create very light abrasion. Rub gently, always in the direction of the wood grain (following the grooves).
How do you clean a wine stain from wood?
The key action: if the stain is fresh, immediately apply salt or lemon to it. The wine cork can also absorb some of the wine, or you can quickly make an abrasive paste with baking soda.
Warning: Always rub in the direction of the wood grain (not in circular motions).
How do you clean an ink stain from wood?
Ink is wood’s enemy!
The key action: clean it immediately; otherwise, an ink stain will never come out. Absorb as much ink as possible with Sommières earth, paper towels and an iron. Spread Sommières earth mixed with a little water, place paper towels over it and run a hot iron over the area. Repeat until the stain disappears. If this technique does not work, you will need to use an abrasive tool such as sandpaper, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. Finally, to avoid having to deal with this kind of problem again, consider applying a coat of varnish or wax for better protection after removing a stain.
How do you clean unfinished wooden furniture?
Unfinished wooden furniture should be cleaned with a lint-free cotton cloth lightly soaked in hot water and black soap, or soapy water. The absence of paint, oil or wax makes this wood highly vulnerable. If the stain persists, rub in the direction of the grooves with sandpaper.
Cleaning unfinished wood is not easy. The lack of treatment—such as paint, oil or wax—on unfinished, white wooden furniture makes it highly vulnerable. To try to restore the original appearance of unfinished or white wood furniture, we recommend using a lint-free cotton cloth lightly soaked in hot water and black soap or soapy water. If the stain persists, you can rub in the direction of the grooves with sandpaper, which is often used for polishing. To clean pine, teak, walnut, cherry or oak furniture, a weed brush or stiff household brush dipped in very lightly bleached water can do the job.
How do you clean the wood species commonly used in furniture?
Four wood species are frequently found in furniture: walnut should be dusted daily with a damp cloth, rosewood should be treated with a soapy sponge and then a specific renovator, acacia should be waxed with matt colourless wax, and mango wood should be dusted and waxed from time to time.
| Wood species | Recommended care |
|---|---|
| Walnut | Apply a damp cloth to the surface daily; protect against insects |
| Rosewood | Sponge dipped in soapy water, followed by rosewood renovator. No detergent or bleach |
| Acacia | Dry cloth daily, matt colourless wax applied with a soft cloth, light sanding in the event of a deep stain |
| Mango wood | Regular dusting, damp sponge or cloth, maintenance wax from time to time |
How do you clean walnut wooden furniture?
Walnut wood, along with mahogany and ash, is among the most highly valued categories. For this reason, its beauty requires a cleaning treatment that takes its colour into account and protects it from insect attacks that can create genuine tunnels inside the wood. For normal walnut-wood cleaning, simply use a damp cloth on its surface daily to protect it from dust.
How do you clean rosewood furniture?
In cabinetmaking, the name “rosewood” refers, among other things, to trees of the genus Dalbergia, including Dalbergia variabilis (or Dalbergia frutescens), which were widely used in marquetry in the . The name was later extended to several species of the genus Dalbergia, from the Fabaceae family. As with any other wood, it is also essential to preserve the natural lustre and colour of rosewood furniture. To do so, you can use care products specially designed for rosewood, available in specialist decoration, furniture and DIY stores. Does your sun lounger, armchair or rosewood bar have stains? Don’t panic: simply reduce the stain using a sponge previously soaked in soapy water. Once dry, apply a thin layer of rosewood renovator. As it is a precious wood, also remember to protect your furniture by avoiding detergents such as bleach.
How do you clean acacia furniture?
Acacia is a hardwood that withstands the elements, so it is often used for outdoor furniture. The natural oil it contains protects it from weather damage. Treatments applied by suppliers protect the furniture for at least one season. Acacia wooden furniture generally requires very little maintenance. Simply protect surfaces that are genuinely exposed to stains: applying matt colourless wax with a soft cloth is ideal and preserves its natural appearance. Daily care consists of using a dry cloth without adding any specific product. Sand lightly in the event of a deep stain.
How do you clean mango wood furniture?
Native to southern Asia, the mango tree grows in tropical regions. Mango is an exotic fruit wood that is dense and moderately heavy. The very light colour of mango wood is similar to walnut, so it is used in cabinetmaking and is often paired with rattan furniture. To clean your mango wood furniture, simply dust it regularly or maintain it with a damp sponge or cloth. You can also use maintenance wax from time to time to restore shine to your mango furniture.
How do you clean grimy waxed furniture?
On grimy waxed wooden furniture, soak a cloth in turpentine and gently rub the stain. Wax acts as a protective layer, but dust eventually builds up on the wood, making it sticky and unattractive.
Cleaning waxed wooden furniture should not normally cause any problems, since wax acts as a protective layer. However, dust can build up on the wood to the point of making it sticky and unattractive. So how can you clean wood without damaging it? How should you care for waxed furniture? And above all, how can you disguise a flaw? First, you need a suitable wood cleaner and a little equipment. In general, for a stain on waxed wood, simply soak a cloth in turpentine and gently rub the stain on your furniture.
Which products should you use to care for wood or occasionally clean wooden furniture?
Three families of products complement natural solutions: detergents and water-based solutions (Saint-Marc detergent, baking soda, ammonia, black soap, potash), solvents (white spirit, alcohol, turpentine, acetone) and paint strippers, reserved for removing varnish or paint.
Sometimes natural solutions are not enough to clean your wooden furniture. Keep in mind that there are several types of wood and, depending on the different species, different products or strategies will be needed to clean them properly.
- Detergents or water-based solutions
These include Saint-Marc detergent, baking soda, ammonia, black soap and potash... Apply them with a brush or sponge, taking care to protect your hands from the corrosive effects of these products by wearing rubber gloves, and protect your eyes with safety glasses with a frame (such as welding goggles). Warning: none of these products should be applied directly.
- Solvents
To remove greasy dirt, you can use solvents such as white spirit, alcohol, turpentine or acetone, applied with moderately soaked cloth pads.
- Paint strippers
These are products available from various retailers, with a more or less gel-like consistency, used to remove varnish or paint. Their use is necessary for removing varnish from veneered sections, as veneer cannot withstand any kind of washing without the risk of becoming detached.
How do you clean wooden kitchen furniture?
Wooden kitchen furniture is generally treated against stains with food-safe varnish. In the absence of this varnish, Sommières earth, baking soda and coarse salt used as micro-abrasives treat grease and wine stains, as with other wooden furniture.
Wooden kitchen furniture is generally treated against stains with food-safe varnish. If this varnish is not present, as with grease or wine stains, consider using Sommières earth, baking soda and/or coarse salt as micro-abrasives.
All wooden furniture deserves attention, regardless of its age, whether modern or antique! These designer pieces from the past (which have been sitting in your attic for too long and have been weakened by time... the slightest misstep could be fatal) and those you have just acquired deserve your attention when it comes to maintenance.
Cleaning antique or modern furniture holds no more secrets for you. It’s your turn to get started!
FAQ: questions about cleaning wooden furniture
How do you clean antique wooden furniture without damaging it?
Never pour stain remover directly onto the wood of an antique piece of furniture. First dust it with a feather duster or a soft, slightly damp cloth, then test the cleaning product on a hidden area of the furniture. The cloth should remain slightly damp, never soaked: excess water is not wood’s friend.
How can you tell whether furniture is waxed or varnished?
Try the water-drop test. Pour a small amount of water onto the furniture and observe: it will leave a stain if the furniture is waxed, while it will roll off like a marble if it is varnished. This test determines which product should be used next.
Is white vinegar effective on wooden furniture?
Yes, on varnished wood and only once a year. White vinegar instantly dissolves all the grime and restores the wood’s appearance. Brewed and cooled black tea is a lesser-known alternative: its tannic acid cleans and makes the wood shine without damaging the varnish layer.
What is Sommières earth?
Sommières earth is a fine clay powder originating from the village of Sommières, near Montpellier in Occitania. It is a natural stain remover that eliminates grease stains such as oil and butter through absorption. It is used mixed with a little water, beneath paper towels, with a hot iron passed over the area.
In which direction should you rub a stain on wood?
Always in the direction of the wood grain, following the grooves, never in circular motions. This rule applies to water, wine and ink stains, as well as sanding with sandpaper on unfinished wood or an ingrained ink stain.
Which products should be avoided when cleaning wooden furniture?
Avoid “all-purpose” cleaning sprays, bleach and chemical products, unless the furniture is covered with a plastic coating. Do not use cold water and do not wipe directly with paper towels. On varnished wood, baking soda should also be avoided: it makes the wood sticky or scratches it.
