Common Household Products You Can Use to Clean Your Furniture

Robust, quality wood furniture will stand the test of time and provide you with decades of use — if treated and maintained correctly. Unbeknownst to many, commercial cleaning products on your solid wooden furniture can damage or tarnish their surfaces.

Silicone polish (for example) is quite detrimental to wooden furniture. While at first, silicone polish will leave a shiny, satisfying finish, over time, waxy layers of silicone will build up. This may suffocate the wood and may leave unsightly white marks.

Interestingly, some of the most effective, safe, and gentle cleaning solutions may already be in your home. Natural cleaners are not only safe for your top quality wood furniture, but they’re also more environmentally sound than commercial cleaners. Here’s how.

Household Products for Cleaning

Remarkably, some everyday kitchen items can be used to clean your furniture. Test these solutions in an inconspicuous area to find out which works best for your specific furniture.

Vinegar

Adding three tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to 16 gallons of water, then transferring the mix to a spray bottle will make for a quick and effective wood cleaner; vinegar cuts through grease and dust easily.

Spray a soft cloth with the mix — don’t spray the furniture directly — and gently wipe down the wood. Vinegar is also an effective tool if you need tips for cleaning mold from wooden furniture.

Black Tea

Steep two black tea bags in two cups of boiling water. Leave them to sit until the water has cooled. Remove the tea bags and either pour the liquid into a spray bottle or dip a soft cloth into the tea. Then gently wipe down your wooden furniture.

Tea is an effective cleaner of wood as the tannic acid removes a build-up of residue while restoring the wood’s natural shine.

Olive Oil, Vinegar, and Lemon Juice

Mix two parts olive oil, two parts vinegar and one-part fresh lemon juice. Using a soft cloth, gently follow the wood grain in a buffing motion. Wipe the furniture down again after you’ve applied the solution with a clean cloth to remove any oil that wasn’t absorbed by the wood.

This solution not only cleans the wood but also polishes it, too. Note that this mix will sour if not used immediately, so be quick.

Removing Stains Using Everyday Products

Not only are some regular household products great for cleaning, but they’re also fantastic for removing stains from your furniture.

Baking Soda and Toothpaste

Mix one part soda and one-part non-gel or non-whitening toothpaste; rub the mix over the stained area in a circular motion. Focus on different stains, one at a time, until the marks have been removed.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is surprisingly effective at removing stains. Leave mayonnaise to sit on the damaged area overnight and gently wipe it off the following day.

Final Thoughts on Common Household Cleaning Products

Regardless of the type of furniture, if it’s a bed, dresser, table or wood dining room chairs, consider testing everyday household products to clean your furniture before reaching for a chemical brand name. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.