Basic Furniture Cleaning and Care

Aug 16, 2010 by Rona

Help With Cleaning Furniture Properly

Remove dust regularly and a regular polishing is the best way to keep all types of furniture and antiques looking good and in good condition.

It’s very important to know the type of material used on the furniture in order to do this best.  You should save the warranty at purchase of new furniture, and store it along with any label containing the manufacturer’s instructions, or, if it’s antique furniture, have the seller you give certificates and information on the type of equipment or specific methods for the proper conservation of the antique furniture.

Antique Furniture:

For daily cleaning to remove dirt and grease stains, we recommend daily use of chamois cloth soaked in water and vinegar (1 p. 8 p. of vinegar in water). As most experts advise, go with natural furniture wax, once or twice a year using deerskin, polishing and rubbing well until complete absorption of the furniture wax, or wood will remain sticky. The antiques experts also recommend avoiding waxes containing silicone; these will appear to polish the wood well, however it will be in an unnatural way that may damage your furniture.  Remember that antique furniture needs a maximum temperature of 18 ° -19 ° C and a humidified environment and that, even if they have withstood the time, their greatest enemy is heat, so beware of overheating the house, which can damage antique furniture, especially if they are placed near radiators and other heat sources.

Wood Furniture Polish:

Sprinkle with a soft cloth, and, to remove fingerprints, grease and sticky residue, use a damp cloth that has been soaked in warm soapy water before wringing it out.  Periodically, if you prefer you can use a good wax, however if there are marks or holes, you should consult a professional before taking the task on yourself.

Painted Wood Furniture:

Simply use a soft cloth for dusting, but the need for other types of cleaning you must first make sure they do not damage the paint if you do not have information from the manufacturer; take a test in the less visible areas.  If the manufacturer recommends it, you may also use standard dish soap to wash the painted surfaces.

Bamboo Furniture:

Use a soft brush for dusting or use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.  Depending on the type of dirt or filth, you may need to use a harder brush and applicable detergent to remove tougher grime.  Use a warm saltwater solution for rinsing (10ml of salt dissolved in 1 liter of warm water).  This salt water solution will help whiten and strengthen the bamboo.  Once the bamboo is thoroughly dried, be sure to use a good bamboo wood cream to preserve and protect the furniture.

Rattan Furniture:

In the case of rattan furniture that is painted, you’ll want to pass over with a damp cloth.  If it is sprinkled with natural reed always use a brush or vacuum cleaner.  For more stubborn dirt, use a sponge with a scourer end and baking soda dissolved in warm water Always rinse with warm water and a cloth.

Leather Furniture:

Leather furniture needs to be cleaned often, they get very dirty.  You’ll want to scrub with a form of glycerin soap and use a damp cloth to wipe the skin without rinsing; this way the skin remains soft and supple thanks to glycerin soap. Periodically stretch a thin layer of leather nourishing cream, making sure to rub well into the skin to avoid staining your clothes.  Rinse always with water and dry with a cloth. Do not use other cleaners.

Teak Furniture: 

This type of wood should be dusted often and periodically and gone thoroughly over with special creams and/or oils to maintain the opacity of the wood.  When using these teak wood creams or oils, try to absorb them completely, leaving no residue that may facilitate the dust and make them sticky.

Furniture Surfaces With Leather or Multiple Surface Types:

You’ll need to follow the proper instructions for each surface type.  Do not simply use one cleaning method for all different surface types.  Doing this may cause you to stain, or damage your furniture.

Plastic Furniture:

Simply wipe with water and soap and then rinse and dry.

Glass Furniture:

Tables, cabinets and other pieces of glass furniture can be cleaned with the same products, sprays and degreasers that are used for cleaning the windows.  To get a cleaner surface use a clean chamois.  Hot water also works well for tougher stains.  Be sure to use proper glass cleaners, or you may damage the glass.