How to clean wood furniture with vinegar

Are you wondering the best and most cost-effective way to clean and maintain your wood furniture?

Clean and shiny wood furniture makes the house or office look classic and beautiful. But who said only commercial furniture polish can help maintain the rich, polished look of wood?

Furniture polish, in fact, because of the harsh ingredients it contains, can actually dull the finish of your wood furniture over time. The best solution when it comes to cleaning your wood furniture is actually using white vinegar and a natural oil.

Vinegar, water, and coconut or olive oil will leave your furniture looking clean, polished, and shiny. These ingredients are also very safe, affordable, and eco-friendly.

Benefits of cleaning wood furniture with vinegar

• Vinegar is good for stain removal. If you have furniture with stains like milk, wine, or rust, cleaning the wood with vinegar will get rid of the stains without destroying the wood.
• If a glass or pot ring is left on the wood furniture, vinegar can get rid of the mark.
• If the doors or drawers have rust, cleaning them with a vinegar solution will get rid of the rust.

How to clean wood furniture with vinegar

To clean your wood furniture with vinegar, you will need the following:

• ½ cup of vinegar
• ½ cup of water
• A bowl
• A cloth

Procedure:

1. In a bowl, mix the water and vinegar to form a vinegar solution.
2. Begin with an inconspicuous area of the wood surface to test the solution.
3. Wet a piece of cloth with the cleaner.
4. Rub the wood furniture with that wet piece of cloth.
5. Buff the furniture in a circular motion to get rid of excess moisture.

Vinegar combined with other ingredients

Vinegar with plain water works well, but for even better results you can combine it with other ingredients like lemon juice, and olive or coconut oil, to make sure that your furniture stays rich in color and sturdy.

Vinegar and olive oil

One of the most effective ways of removing stains and, at the same time, polishing your wood furniture is to clean your wood furniture with vinegar and olive oil.

To clean wood furniture with vinegar and olive oil, you need the following ingredients to make this solution;

• A cup of olive oil
• A cup of vinegar
• A mason jar with a lid
• A microfiber cloth

Procedure:

1. If the wood surface is too soiled, clean it with warm soapy water first.
2. Combine 1 cup of olive oil and 1 cup of vinegar in a mason jar, close the lid and then shake vigorously to mix.
3. Dip a piece of cloth into the mixture, then apply it to the wood evenly.
4. Use a microfiber cloth to rub each section in a circular motion.
5. Allow it to dry.

Vinegar and lemon juice

Vinegar and lemon juice solution is probably what your wood furniture needs to restore it to its former glory. Vinegar breaks down grime and dirty oils, lemon juice on the other hand has antibacterial properties and a low pH. The combination of these two ingredients works very well to clean wood furniture.

To clean wood furniture with vinegar and lemon juice, you require:

• A cup of lemon juice
• 2 cups of vinegar (white)
• A bowl
• 2 cups of olive oil
• A whisk
• A soft cloth

Procedure:

1. Place all the ingredients and mix them well with the help of a whisk. Test the cleaner in an unnoticeable section of the wood furniture before applying it to the whole furniture surface.
2. Dip a cloth into the cleaner, then apply a tiny amount to one part of the wood furniture.
3. Along the grain of the furniture’s wood, push the cloth to remove dirt and stains.
4. With the help of a soft dry cloth, polish away the cleaned section first before going on to a new wood area.
5. Get rid of the leftover cleaner afterwards since it can go rancid.

Vinegar and coconut oil

A vinegar and coconut (or olive) oil solution not only gets rid of grime, dirt, and stains, but it also leaves old wood surfaces smelling fresh, conditioned, and polished. Use a combination of lemon juice, vinegar, and coconut oil.

To clean wood furniture with vinegar, lemon juice, and coconut oil, you’ll need:

• A cup of water
• ¼ cup of lemon juice
• ½ cup of coconut oil
• A spray bottle
• A whisk
• A bowl
• Microfiber cloths

Procedure:

1. Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then shake the bottle vigorously for the two to combine well.
2. Spray the mixture onto a dry cloth and dab any excess vinegar and water.
3. Clean the surface of the wood furniture with a piece of cloth.
4. In a bowl, mix lemon juice, and coconut oil, then mix them using a whisk.
5. Dip a fresh cloth into the cleaner, then apply a little to one part of the wood furniture.
6. Buff away the whole area using a dry cloth in circular motions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you clean wood furniture surfaces with undiluted vinegar?

No, cleaning wood furniture with vinegar that’s undiluted and pure is a terrible idea. Not only will the undiluted vinegar leave watermarks on the wood surface, but it can also damage or “eat” some of the wood furniture finishes. Combine vinegar with olive oil or coconut oil to make it safe for cleaning wood furniture.

Can you use plain water to clean wood furniture surfaces?

Wood is highly porous, meaning it will absorb every drop of water it comes into contact with. Water is the best base to use to dilute other cleaners, but using it alone won’t be very effective to clean or polish your wood furniture.

How to clean my old furniture and restore it

Cleaning your old wood furniture with a combination of vinegar and coconut oil not only cleans your old furniture, but it also polishes it, giving life to it. Try this method on your old furniture, and it will look as good as new.

Can I mix vinegar with bleach to clean wood furniture?

No, avoid mixing vinegar and bleach at all costs. When looking for a strong cleaning solution to combine with your vinegar to clean your wood furniture, Mixing these two powerful cleaning agents will result in chlorine gas which is harmful to you and your health.

Taking care of your wood furniture

When old wood furniture is not correctly maintained, it loses its charm and character. Cleaning wood furniture with vinegar has a lot of benefits: it’s highly affordable, deodorizing, and not harmful to people and pets.

There can be a lot of confusion regarding cleaning wood furniture, but it’s pretty simple. Use gentle cleaning agents and avoid leaving moisture on the wood surfaces. Vinegar makes good wood furniture cleaner because it won’t warp wood or damage wood finish like other cleaners do.

Learning to clean your wood furniture with vinegar gives you the opportunity to make a polishing and cleaning solution of your own. Using ingredients that are readily available in your home enables you to save a lot of money.