The One Cleaning Hack You Should Skip On Wood Furniture

Few items are truly timeless when it comes to interior design, but wooden furniture is the rare trend that will never go out of style. Oozing with warmth and ultra durable, it's the kind of furniture that gets passed down through generations. It doesn't hurt that wooden furniture can fit in just about anywhere. Whether you're relaxing on modern patio furniture in the backyard or enjoying a meal at the stately vintage wood table in your dining room, it brings character and texture to any space.

There's just one issue people with wooden furniture run into — keeping it clean. Like any natural surface, wood requires some upkeep to maintain its finish. One of the easiest ways to clean hardwood floors is by using fabric softener to stave off dirt and add a bit of shine. Some people think that hack translates to wooden furniture, too, but that's not the case. Using fabric softener as a cleaning agent on wooden furniture can leave behind too much waxy residue, which could degrade the condition of the piece over time.

As its name implies, fabric softener is designed to help laundered fabrics feel soft to the touch. But since it does that by breaking down fibers and reducing static, people have found brilliant ways to use fabric softener outside of the laundry room. Unfortunately, cleaning wooden furniture shouldn't be one of those ways. The chemicals in fabric softener typically leave behind a waxy buildup that can accumulate and stain over time, particularly if your furniture has any kind of paint finish. A capful of fabric softener diluted in soapy water isn't usually enough to contribute to excessive residue on a large wooden floor, but in the more concentrated space of wooden furniture, the buildup can be more significant. Rather than minimizing dust and getting rid of stains, the residue could look unpleasant, be waxy to the touch, or degrade the material.

Using fabric softener on wood furniture is especially unnecessary as there are easy alternatives that allow its natural beauty to shine. In general, the most simple approach is often best, especially if your wood is sealed. In that case, you can often get dust and debris away with a microfiber cloth that's barely damp with warm water. For stickier situations, a hint of dish soap or vinegar on the moist cloth will often do the trick. If your wooden furniture has intricate carving, a delicate tool like a soft-bristled toothbrush with a bit of warm water on it could help you reach hard-to-clean areas. Just remember to dry everything off thoroughly to avoid any water damage.