You may not know much about that armoire you inherited from your great-grandparents, but you do know you want to keep it as preserved and stunning as possible. Water stains can be a sign of mildew buildup, while excessive dirt can lead to scratches over time. And while the process is similar to cleaning wood furniture in general, antique wood requires extra TLC. Here's what you need to know about safely cleaning antique wood pieces.
Preparing to Clean Antique Wood
Always begin by determining the finish of the wood on the piece of furniture. Unless the furniture was recently refinished, you likely won't know whether it has a layer of shellac, polyurethane, oil, or varnish. The latter three finishes are far easier to clean with the simple household products listed below. Shellac, however, is very tricky to care for, and you may need to call your local upholstery cleaner. In some cases, you may even need to refinish the wood with damaged shellac.
To test your wood furniture's finish, purchase denatured alcohol, don those rubber gloves, and open a window. Denatured alcohol—which can come in many names at your hardware store—is quite toxic and has a strong odor. Use it carefully and in a well-ventilated area.
Soak the top of a cotton swab in denatured alcohol and dab it on an inconspicuous area of the furniture. If the finish wipes off or becomes tacky, it is likely shellac. If the wood finish does not change, you can proceed using the steps below.
Dust Each Surface
Use a soft, clean cloth or a soft-bristled vacuum attachment to remove all dust, grit, and cobwebs from the furniture. It's important to get a clean slate before adding oil-based soap and water. Use this time to focus on larger issues, such as removing candle wax from the wood.
Wipe Down With Soap and Water
Quite often, determining how to clean antique wood comes down to how dirty it is and how often you clean your home. If you're moving through your weekly home deep cleaning, add two to three drops of clear, gentle dish soap to a cup of water. Dip a cotton cloth in the solution and fully ring it out. Gently wipe the surface in circular motions going with the grain and allow the wood to fully dry.
Deep Clean With Oil-Based Soap
Photo: FilippoBacci / E+ / Getty Images
Oil soap will protect and moisturize the wood while dissolving dirt and grime. Combine one part oil soap and six parts water. Whisk together with a fork in a bowl or small bucket. As before, saturate and then fully ring out a cotton towel. Move the towel in small circular motions going with the grain of the wood to avoid streaks.
Remove Mildew
While it can be difficult to spot the difference between mold and mildew, long-lasting white, black, or dark green spots and streaks are signs of mildew on your antique wood.
In a bowl, mix a solution of one part distilled white vinegar and three parts oil. Linseed, olive, or vegetable oil are popular choices. Use a clean cotton cloth, dip it in the solution, and move the cloth in circular, gentle motions along the grain. Give the surface another pass with a dry cloth to remove any remaining mildew or buildup.
Focus on Stains
If there are particular trouble spots, such as removing sticky residue from home or major mildew, it's time to break out the big stuff. Be sure to gather your goggles and gloves and open a window. Apply a thin layer of mineral spirits to a clean cloth and focus just on the areas with significant grime.
Now that you have a clean piece of furniture, you can finish up and take a breather while the wood dries. If you want to go the extra mile, add a coat of wood furniture finish specific to the details of your furniture. Read the specific instructions on the container regarding dilution, waxing motion, and how long to allow the wax to absorb into the wood before using the furniture.
How Much Does Professional Furniture Cleaning Cost?
In general, professional home cleaners charge between $30 and $50 per hour, often on top of a flat fee for a home visit and for specialty skills such as antique furniture care.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Using potent chemicals on antique wood is not everyone's cup of tea. A professional house cleaner has the experience to use these cleaners safely without damaging antique wood. While you will spend more money hiring a professional to clean antique wood, you will have peace of mind and save lots of time on the meticulous process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the type of finish on your antique wood, the best cleaner is usually gentle dish soap or detergent heavily diluted with water. In more extreme cases, you can break down mildew with a carrier oil and distilled white vinegar. All in all, take as much care of antique wood furniture as you would when cleaning hardwood floors.
In some cases, a simple clean, polish, and wax can make antique wood furniture look brand-new. However, always be sure to check the type and state of the current finish. Some furniture will require professional care, a new coat of finish, or even a new layer of stain to look like new.
Stay away from using window cleaners and other harsh cleaning solutions on antique wood—or any wood in your home for that matter. The pH of the cleaners can break down the finish and permanently damage and stain the wood below. Even when it comes to more durable areas, such as when cleaning your baseboards, only use cleaning solutions that are safe for porous materials.
