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
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › how to disinfect used wooden furniture? for a newbie
r/woodworking on Reddit: How to disinfect used wooden furniture? For a newbie
September 18, 2023 -
Hi! I just recently bought a few pieces of wooden furniture that I love from a consignment sale. But, before I can put them into use, I'd like to disinfect them – they're dirty, dusty and who knows where they've been. What can I use that won't destroy the finish/varnish/whatever on them? I'm a woodworking newbie but I know I shouldn't just put a lysol across it. Thanks!
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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.
Videos
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How To Clean Wood Furniture & Hard Furniture Cleaning - YouTube
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The BEST Way to CLEAN Your Furniture - The Professional Way - YouTube
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How To Clean Antique Furniture | Restorate Blog | Episode 1 - YouTube
Martha Stewart
marthastewart.com › how-to-clean-wood-furniture-8579914
How to Clean Wood Furniture
June 23, 2025 - Olive oil is a great way to remove any built up sticky residue on wood furniture, says Poepping. Saturate a cotton swap with olive oil and apply it to the residue. Use a blow dryer and carefully warm the area while using a soft dry cloth to wipe the area in the direction of the woodgrain until the residue has completely released. Dab the area with a clean cloth.
Castlery
castlery.com › us › blog › how-to-clean-wooden-furniture
How to Clean Wooden Furniture | Castlery US
October 23, 2024 - Wipe it down with a clean and soft cloth. Vinegar is especially useful for removing water spots or sticky residue left by food or drink spills. If you’re looking for a natural way to not just clean, but also disinfect your wood furniture, a lemon juice and olive oil paste can be a great solution.
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 ... 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 ...
Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking by hand and specialties › neanderthal haven
"Cleaning" old furniture | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
September 30, 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.
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
Step One: Clean the antique wood furniture with a soft cloth. It doesn’t have to be quite as extensive as a thorough cleaning. Just give it a quick wipe to remove the surface-level dust. Step Two: Make a one-to-one solution of your oil-of-choice and vinegar in the bowl.
Utah State University
digitalcommons.usu.edu › cgi › viewcontent.cgi pdf
1 CLEANING, REPAIRING AND RECONDITIONING WOOD FURNITURE Carol Williams
Wipe dry and buff with a clean soft cloth. This may be sufficient. Polish with lemon oil or apply · a surface wax if desired. This wash works well for furniture, cabinets and wall paneling. Murphy’s oil soap or similar products can also be used to wash wood.
Amenify
amenify.com › blog
How to Clean Wooden Furniture: Expert Tips for a Polished, Long-Lasting Finish — Amenify
November 20, 2024 - For furniture with carvings or grooves, use a soft-bristle brush to reach tight spaces. Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap or white vinegar with warm water in a bowl.
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Reader's Digest
rd.com › home › cleaning
How to Clean Wood Furniture | Tips for Cleaning and Polishing Wood | Trusted Since 1922
June 21, 2024 - If dirt or stains persist, step up to a stronger cleaning product like dish detergent (2 teaspoons in a gallon of warm water) or a cleaner that does not contain ammonia and is safe for sealed wood, like Original Pine-Sol Multi-Purpose Cleaner (¼ cup in a gallon of warm water). Always test the cleaner first in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it’s safe for the furniture. Dip the cloth in the solution and wring it out well. Wipe the stain lightly, repeating as needed. Rinse the area with a cloth slightly dampened with water. Dry the area completely. Another option is to use a special cream polish for wood furniture.
T.Y. Fine Furniture
tyfinefurniture.com › home › furniture maker's notebook › furniture maker's notebook
How to Clean Wood Furniture
May 29, 2023 - But you can also use old kitchen towels and t-shirts (sans huge prints and buttons because they’re abrasive). Feather dusters are an option, but they spread dust faster in the air. Start cleaning the furniture from the top and gradually move downwards. Gently wipe in a circular motion in the direction of the grain, rotating the cloth as needed. When cleaning wood surfaces, it is important to be gentle and use light pressure to avoid damaging the finish, as dust can be abrasive.