Without knowing what the finish is, milder is usually better. I’d start with a disinfectant diluted in water (no aerosols) applied to a rag and wiped across the surface. Avoid letting liquids pool on the surface and seeping into cracks. Answer from wpmason on reddit.com
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Martha Stewart
marthastewart.com › how-to-clean-wood-furniture-8579914
How to Clean Wood Furniture
23 June 2025 - Wipe down the wood furniture, making sure to avoid getting it too wet. Use a clean cloth to wipe dry, ensuring no water lingers.
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Mumfordrestoration
mumfordrestoration.com › blog › cleaning-antique-wood-furniture
Top 5 Tips for Cleaning Antique Wood Furniture
11 June 2025 - Excessive Scrubbing: It may be tempting to use a lot of elbow grease when trying to remove stubborn stains on antique wood furniture. However, this can cause scratches or wear down the finish over time. Instead, opt for gentle cleaning techniques such as wiping with a soft cloth.
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Van Dyke's Restorers
vandykes.com › how-to-clean-antique-furniture › a › how-to-clean-antique-furniture
How to Clean Antique Wood Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide | Van Dyke's Restorers
Want to learn how to clean antique wood furniture? Van Dyke's breaks it all down in this step-by-step guide, from finish testing to cleaning solutions.
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Just to get it out of the way first, "nourishing" wood is a concept invented in the murky past by some marketing team for a company making furniture polish of some kind. The idea that you have to, or even can, "feed" or "nourish" wood is hoo-ha.

Would degreaser spray and furniture wax work?

It could yes, and actually that would generally be a particularly good way to go about it. Specifically, in contrast to using other types of cleaning agents and any kind of oil-based furniture polish, or one that mentions silicone.

Depending on the degreaser however you may want to test it first in an inconspicuous spot. And, again in general, it may be better not to use the degreaser straight from the bottle, but instead dilute it with water; basically it depends on how concentrated it is.

  • Before you start, have on hand a small nylon brush for scrubbing (a medium or firm toothbrush is ideal), a few cloth rags and either a towel or abundant paper towels.

  • Create a solution of warm or hand-hot water (roughly bathwater temperature, no hotter) and the degreaser.

  • Start in the dirtiest areas first. In general the areas that will be dirtiest are contact surfaces and upward-facing surfaces. Use the toothbrush or equivalent for hard-to-reach areas and to scrub out the open grain if there's trapped grime there.

  • Clean and dry as you go so that surfaces don't remain wet for too long.

  • Swap out the wet rags for fresh ones as needed.

  • Once you're done on the cleaning step give the table at least a couple of hours to dry. Half a day or overnight is preferable.

  • Then apply the wax as per the instructions, which will generally be to wipe on a generous amount, wait for it to haze over, then buff off all excess. Waxing should be done periodically through the year for furniture that is in use. Once a year or every couple of years is sufficient if the item just sits there and is barely touched, but do dust regularly.

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A Cottage in the City
acottageinthecity.com › home › welcome to a cottage in the city blog › welcome to a cottage in the city blog
The Best Way To Clean Antique Wood Furniture
12 December 2021 - Some products, even products designed to help you clean antique wood, are too harsh and can cause irreversible damage to the finish. So, no matter what product you decide to use, the first step is to spot-treat a small spot in a less noticeable area. As long as there is no damage from the product in your spot test it’s probably safe to use. But, if there is any discoloration or changes to the texture of the finish, that product isn’t a good match for the finish on your antique wood furniture.
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Casabellafurniture
casabellafurniture.co.uk › home › how to clean & care for wooden furniture
How to Clean & Care for Wooden Furniture | Casa Bella Furniture UK
19 May 2025 - If the furniture’s finish dissolves, then it’s most likely shellac and you’ll need to clean it with soap and water only. If the finish doesn’t dissolve then it is most likely lacquer, varnish, oil, or polyurethane. In this instance, you can clean your old wood furniture using any of the methods above for removing grime, sticky residue, or stains.
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Murphy Oil Soap
murphyoilsoap.com › murphy® oil soap - household cleaners for wood surfaces › cleaning wood furniture | murphy® oil soap › how to clean old wood furniture
How to Clean Old Wood Furniture | Murphy® Oil Soap
Small chips and dings can be filled using a wax stick made to repair wood finishes. They come in different colors so you can choose the one that is closest to your furniture's finish. Overfill the chip, then smooth excess wax off to level the piece's surface using a plastic putty knife or an item with an equally gentle edge. After repair, or if the finish dulls with cleaning, use #0000 steel wool with a wax that matches your furniture.
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Haywoodofficeservices
haywoodofficeservices.co.uk › home › news
HOW TO CLEAN SECOND-HAND WOOD FURNITURE IN 2024 - Haywood Office Services
Used wood furniture is susceptible to dirt and debris accumulating in its pores and holes as time passes. Detailed carvings, grooves, and elaborate decorations can be gently cleaned of grime using a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush.
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Wheresaintsgo
wheresaintsgo.co.uk › blog › vintage-care-tips-how-to-clean-and-maintain-antique-wood-furniture-like-a-pro.html
Vintage Care Tips: How to Clean and Maintain Antique Wood Furniture Like a Pro
7 February 2022 - Mix the oil (linseed, vegetable or olive, your choice) and distilled white vinegar into the mixing bowl in an equal ratio (1:1). Using a clean, dry rag, dip into the mixture carefully and begin rubbing it along the wood grain of the furniture ...
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Invaluable
invaluable.com › home › an invaluable guide to cleaning vintage & antique wooden furniture
An Invaluable Guide to Cleaning Vintage & Antique Wooden Furniture - Invaluable
4 April 2023 - Using oil soap is important because, ... both clean and moisturize the existing wood finish. Lightly dip a cotton cloth into the mixture, then make sure to wring it out to remove all excess soap and water.
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Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › homekeeping › wood-furnishings-care
How to Clean Wood Furniture to Make It Look New Again
31 March 2025 - Rinse and immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth. To protect the finish, apply furniture paste wax using the steps above. ... As a first step to removing layers of grime from old wood furniture, use an oil soap and water.
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Westland London
westlandlondon.com › articles › view,how-to-clean-antique-wood-our-top-tips-for-cleaning-antique-wood_91.asp
How to clean antique wood: our top tips for cleaning antique wood
Caring for your antique wooden furniture can seem daunting. In this blog we explain how to clean antique wood and keep it looking its best!
Call   02077398094
Address   St Michael's Church, Leonard Street, EC2A 4QX, London
(4.9)
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Decorative Collective
decorativecollective.com › blog › how-to-clean-antique-furniture-ultimate-guide
How to Clean Antique Furniture – Ultimate Guide
Coupled with a clean linen cloth, this is an excellent way of removing an initial layer of grime and is the basis for many antique wood furniture cleaning products. Mild cleaners are always better, avoid harsher chemicals · If stronger products are needed, use small amounts ... Careful cleaning of your old furniture and antiques shouldn’t reduce the value of your items – as long as it’s done properly.
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › home and garden › housekeeping › cleaning › cleaning furniture › how to clean old wooden furniture: stain removal and care
How to Clean Old Wood Furniture
9 June 2025 - Antiques expert Reyne Hirsch recommends dusting the wood furniture with a soft towel to start. Then, mix a few drops of mild dishwashing soap with warm water. Dampen a soft cloth with the soapy water and gently wipe down the wood.
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Localexpertcleaning
localexpertcleaning.co.uk › home › how to clean wood furniture
How To Clean Wood Furniture Tips And Tricks
2 September 2021 - The tannic acid it contains makes it possible to clean and shine the wooden furniture without damaging the varnish layer. Therefore, you can make an infusion of black tea and then let the water cool without removing the bags. Soak a soft cloth in the brewed tea, gently apply to the wood, then dry. – Warning: to clean an old piece of furniture, never pour the stain remover directly on the wood.
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Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking by hand and specialties › neanderthal haven
"Cleaning" old furniture | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
30 September 2015 - Any advice anyone might have about restoring these wood surfaces while retaining the aged look and feel are appreciated, particularly in regard to removing more of the "patina", much of which I am inclined to think of as dirt, mildew and water stains/damage that may be at or in the wood's surface. ... Mike, I restore old pieces from time to time and never worried about "patina" at all, especially if the piece was mine. I have scraped the finish off of varnished pieces and painted them with milk paint for some or used shellac and alcohol to refinish some. I to am interested in how to clean up a piece I have now, and will be watching this thread with great interest.
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Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-best-way-to-clean-and-shine-up-old-dull-wood-furniture-without-stripping-it-down-to-bare-wood
What is the best way to clean and shine up old, dull wood furniture without stripping it down to bare wood? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): I have restored several pieces this way. 1. Use waterless handcleaner to remove old wax and residue without attacking the original finish. ( For fine furniture this was usually laquer.