We all know wood and its charm, this ancient material that, besides being beautiful, has been resistant, robust, and durable through the years. Together with natural veneer, lacquered MDF and melamine, it is one of the most widely used for manufacturing home furnishings. But, because there is always a “but,” they do not cope well with humidity, excessive heat, or any hygienic substance, making proper cleaning a real challenge to cleaning wood.
In this article, we want to show you a very effective and recommended homemade trick for this purpose, which will undoubtedly relieve several headaches. Read on and learn how to clean wood with vinegar and oil, remove dirt, disinfect and bring shine to your objects and surfaces made of this popular material that never goes out of style.
How to clean wood with vinegar and oil
Yes, wood can last for many years and remain in good condition in various environments; it gives a natural, warm and distinctive touch to the environment where they are, and it is common to see it in furniture, tables, shelves, cabinets, beds, parts of the kitchen, floors, walls, and doors. However, little is said about this fantastic and simple natural cleaning method despite its effectiveness.
- Clean the dust with a microfiber cloth dampened with a little warm water.
- Mix vinegar and oil in equal amounts in a bowl and stir with plastic wrap.
- Moisten the cotton cloth with the created cleaner and wipe the entire surface. Pressing too hard is unnecessary; constant circular movements will be enough to achieve a polished look at the end.
- Leave it on for an hour and a half to set and dry.
- After this time, polish with another cloth until it shines. Please do it for a while and rub in the same direction. Finally, you will notice how shiny and shinier it looks.
And that’s it! This is my favorite cleaning hack to care for and keep the wood clean and looking pristine.
We recommend that you clean it frequently, and at least once a year, clean it thoroughly. You can also contact a professional and apply varnish to improve its appearance. Don’t forget that moisture damages wood, so act quickly in case of accidental spills, rain, or dropped food.
What types of wood are there, and how should they be cleaned?
There are many different types of wood, however, in the case of furniture, the most common are:
Varnished or lacquered wood.
Cleaning this furniture is simple since it is enough to pass a dry cloth to remove the dust every two or three days. In addition, you can wash a damp cloth with soap and water once a week, preferably with hot water. And to give them shine, add a teaspoon of vinegar to the fabric.
Waxed wood
Waxed wood is easy to clean as well, as you need to wipe it gently from time to time. However, to remove stains, it is necessary to use turpentine essence, which can be purchased in specialized stores. It will help clean and strengthen the wood.
Painted wood
Painted wood furniture should be cleaned carefully, as there is a risk of removing the paint. To avoid this, you can pass the surface with a soft brush and then wipe it with a sponge with cold water and soap. Afterward, you should dry it with a cotton cloth and apply a coat of wax to protect the wood.
Natural wood
Despite the aesthetics of natural wood furniture, these are the most delicate to clean. For a superficial cleaning, a clean cloth, preferably cotton or microfiber, slightly dampened, is sufficient.
However, for deep cleaning, it is recommended to use a cloth with warm water and a little neutral soap. To protect the texture, it should be cleaned in the grain direction and without rubbing. Finally, the furniture should be dried with a soft, dry cloth so as not to wet the wood.