Varnished Wood Furniture--Care and Cleaning
Care
Protect finish overall with a furniture wax. Also
protect surfaces from water, alcohol, other liquids,
foods and cosmetics.
Regular Cleaning
Vacuum and/or dust with a soft dry cloth. If finish
is waxed, do not use oiled or treated cloths, as they may
make it sticky. Occasional rubbing of surface with clean,
dry, soft cloth removes smudges and dust and leaves a
sheen. Some varnish finishes may be wiped with a damp
(not wet) cloth to remove fingerprints and light soil,
followed at once by rubbing with a clean dry cloth. Test
first on inconspicuous spot to be sure this does not
damage varnish. Do not get varnish wet, or allow damp
cloth to stand on it.
Special Cleaning
Clean with a solvent-based furniture cleaner polish,
or wax. Use one that gives desired gloss compatible with
varnish gloss--high shine or low luster. Most polishes
and waxes leave a layer of wax on surfaces to protect
finish. In cleaning, do only a small area at a time and
wipe dry with clean cloth. Waxed surface may be buffed
occasionally to restore shine, only re-waxing when
buffing does not restore shine. A small electric polisher
saves lots of arm-energy.
If excess wax has accumulated or oily polish has been
used, remove with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits
or synthetic turpentine. (Natural turpentine may leave a
sticky residue.) Should the furniture be badly soiled due
to neglect, use very fine 3/O or 4/O steel wool instead
of a cloth and rub with the grain of the wood. As some
finishes can be damaged by prolonged contact with
mineral spirits, clean small areas at a time. Wipe each
area with a clean cloth before going on to the next.
Discard steel wool as it becomes soiled.
When using mineral spirits, turpentine, or other
solvents, including solvent-based cleaners, follow all
label warnings. They are flammable, so don't use near any
flame, spark, pilot light, and don't smoke. Wear rubber
gloves to protect your hands, and dispose of them
afterward, or wash in hot suds and air dry. Air-dry
cloths used in cleaning to evaporate the solvent before
disposing.
Some varnish finishes may be washed if badly soiled.
Test method first in inconspicuous spot; if it streaks,
or turns white and hazy, do not wash! If OK to proceed,
use solution of mild detergent (hand dishwashing liquid)
and lukewarm water. Use clean sponge or soft cloth.
Wash, rinse and dry only a small area at a time, working
fast to avoid over-wetting finish. Avoid excess water,
especially around joints. When completely dry, polish or
wax. In most cases, it saves time and energy to clean
with furniture polish/wax in the first place.
Oil soaps may clean satisfactorily on some varnish
finishes; test first in inconspicuous spot.