The Cleaning Mistake That Could Be Ruining Your Wooden Furniture

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

While some furniture trends are now becoming a thing of the past, many people still value wood pieces. Indeed, the benefits of wood furniture are aplenty, especially when you invest in items made of solid wood. Not only is solid wood furniture durable, but it can last for several years with the right care. This means you can't just use any cleaner to maintain your wooden furniture. In fact, using all-purpose cleaners is a big mistake that could ruin your prized wooden furniture pieces.

Timber furniture is known for its timeless nature, and pieces that are well-cared for can even be passed down to future generations. "Well-cared for" is the key here, though. Despite its durability, wood furniture can require repairs and sanding from time to time. You may even be able to stain the furniture a different color at some point in the future. These are all examples of more involved projects that might be required after years of owning the furniture. In the meantime, you will need to properly clean your wooden furniture pieces to keep them looking their best while also preventing permanent damage. To that end, wood surfaces are among the things you should never clean with an all-purpose cleaner.

Wood furniture can succumb to a number of different types of damaging elements, such as liquid spills, humidity, heat, and direct sun exposure. As much as you might try to prevent these types of damages, you could undo all your efforts if you clean wood surfaces with all-purpose cleaners. Depending on the type of product, all-purpose cleaners may contain a combination of acids, surfactants, dyes, and preservatives. The problem is that many of these ingredients are too harsh for wooden furniture. Not only can they strip away the finish, but they might also damage or ruin the actual wood.

If you're wanting to use commercial cleaners for this type of furniture, you should only use one specifically meant for wood surfaces. One example is Weiman Cabinet and Wood Cleaner. Aside from cleaning wood surfaces, these types of products can also help restore the shine of your furniture pieces, while protecting them from damage and discoloration. Alternatively, you can make your own wood cleaner by combining 2 tablespoons each of white vinegar and olive oil in a spray bottle with ¼ cup of lemon juice. Whether you're using a DIY or commercial product, you should always work the product along the direction of the grain to prevent possible streaks.

Aside from avoiding all-purpose cleaners on wood furniture, it's also a good idea to never dust with a dry cloth, as this can cause permanent scratches. If you do see some damage on your furniture from previous cleaning mistakes, you may need to consider hacks to erase stubborn wood furniture scratches.