Natural Ways to Clean Untreated Wood Furniture

Precautions

• Untreated wood stains easily. To avoid permanently ruining untreated wood furniture, protect it from stain-producing foods and drinks by using a tablecloth for a wooden table during meals and covering chairs with throws during parties. Don’t use water or proprietary cleaning chemicals to clean the furniture because they often cause serious damage. Wooden furniture needs to be weatherproofed before used outside. Otherwise, it will warp and bleach, and it has a high chance of gradually rotting away, especially in a damp climate.

Dusting and Polishing

• The safest way to clean untreated wood is physically. Dusting, brushing and rubbing remove most dirt, dust and grime without causing damage. If the wood has a stain, you might be able to remove it through sanding. Often stains penetrate only the first layer, which you can sand away.

Alcohol

• High-proof, clear drinking alcohols, such as vodka, may work to remove sticky grime on untreated wood. While they are better to use than pure water, they contain large amounts of water, and so their use includes the risk of damaging the furniture. Use as little as possible, and work quickly. Dry the wood with paper towels immediately afterward. Don’t use dark liquors, which might clean but also can stain the wood.

Home Remedies

• Traditional natural cleaners, such as vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice, make cleaning easier. Because your preparation might stain, bleach or warp the untreated wood furniture, however, test a tiny amount of it on an inconspicuous spot of the wood before using it on a larger section. For example, olive oil with a few drops of vinegar can be an effective cleaner, but rub a little of the solution into the underside of the furniture item and then wait one day. If the preparation caused no visible damage, use it to remove stubborn stains on the wood.

  A natural way to finish untreated wood, thus protecting your furniture and making cleaning easier in the future, is to polish it with beeswax or linseed oil.