Chairs. How To Clean Wooden Furniture

Cleaning How To Clean Wooden Furniture

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Date Published:
01/10/2008

The right care will extend the life of wooden furniture, whether it’s an heirloom or a Billy bookcase.

Every week: A wipe over with a soft (preferably microfibre) cloth will remove dust. Use a small paintbrush or vacuum cleaner attachment to winkle dust out of carvings and mouldings.

Wax polish isn’t absolutely essential, but if you’re not too heavy handed it will protect the wood to some extent and buffs up nicely. Clean down the piece with a just-damp cloth before you apply polish, or you’ll trap dirt in the wax. You only need to apply polish once or twice a year and always use the same product or you’re just asking for trouble.

Oiled timbers are usually tropical hardwoods, such as teak, or beech. Oil, such as linseed, teak oil or Danish oil should be applied with a fluff-free cloth, left to soak in then wiped clean. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate oil and frequency of oiling.

wooden-furniture-med

Stains and marks on wooden furniture: alcohol spots and watermarks can be removed with a cream metal polish (test on an inconspicuous area first), then faded areas can be disguised with ash or shoe polish; grease marks on unsealed wood can be sprinkled with good old talc, which you then cover with kitchen paper and press with a warm iron to absorb the grease; fill in small scratches with matching coloured wax crayon or shoe polish.

Top User Tips... Share Yours Below

Get rid of tea or coffee stains on polished wood with a mix of olive oil and fag ash.
Posted by dalmon

Always check manufacturer's instructions first. Always try a test patch first. If you are unsure as to whether the item you are cleaning is suitable for our instructions, take professional cleaning advice first.

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  1. Please could you remind me of the tip for soaking a polish cloth and oil for cleaning surfaces. There was another ingredient but I cannot remember which?? Thank you for your assistance. Paula Allen
    Posted by Paula Allen on 11/11/2009 14:30:35
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  2. hi,my partner painted the house and got gloss all over the laminated floor and cleaned it up straight away, i would like to know if you could give me any advise on how to get it off plz, thank you x
    Posted by angela on 09/11/2009 15:30:13
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  3. how do i remove fag burn's off my wooden table?. I had a party and ciggies fell out ash tray and left burn marks. I tried sanding a little but just left mark...can any1 help?Yes i have stopped them smoking at table .x
    Posted by traci on 06/11/2009 16:39:56
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  4. Hi, I have an oak table which is six years old and has only ever been dusted. Two of the legs have been subjected to sunlight and therefore faded some what. Can you please advise me what to use on them to bring the colour back in line with the rest of the table? Many Thanks
    Posted by Donna on 03/11/2009 14:14:21
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  5. Is it possible that you could post the replies to the questions asked regarding cleaning tips. It's just that this woul be really helpful as some of the questions are for the same problems this would be a real benefit
    Posted by Heather on 24/10/2009 21:08:32
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  6. Kim gave a recipe for making beeswax polish. What did she add to the beeswax bar to make the polish. I can't remember. Please could you let me know what she used on the leather furniture as well.
    Posted by Maria on 17/10/2009 06:17:26
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  7. Kim gave a recipe for making beeswax polish. What did she add to the beeswax bar to make the polish. I can't remember
    Posted by penny on 15/10/2009 09:39:31
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  8. Hi I have mahogany dining table with a white cup ring on it. How can remove it. Thank you
    Posted by Snmex on 10/10/2009 11:19:50
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  9. SOS I was using a permanent black marker on a piece of paper and it soaked throw on to the table. Can you please advise how to remove this before my head is removed.
    Posted by Chick on 08/10/2009 18:28:31
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  10. In a recent episode Kim cleaned some kitchen doors covered in stickers. Please can you tell me what she used to remove the stickers as my son has a few on his wardrobe door but they now need to be removed. Thanks
    Posted by katiewormwell on 06/10/2009 12:05:43
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  11. Can Kim and Aggie help? I have an old oak bed. Can you suggest some polish I can make or use to feed and polish it. Also what is the best way to clean the wood? Thanks
    Posted by Susie on 04/10/2009 16:19:24
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  12. ..hello, could you please tell me, how to get rid of smell of cigarette smoke on wooden chairs?? thank you.. :)
    Posted by Ifka on 28/09/2009 22:39:14
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  13. Can you please tell me the best way to clean build up on the acorns of my staircase, it is an oak staircase which is painted with clear varnish. I previously tried to use an orange based wood cleaner on another part of the staircase however it just left it with a couple of marks that look like the colour has been lifted from the wood.
    Posted by Michelle on 24/09/2009 22:47:59
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  14. I once saw Kim make her own bees wax polish and I can't remember what she did or used. Can somebody give me the details? Thank you.
    Posted by Janie on 24/09/2009 16:03:55
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  15. I'd like to know of a solution to remove grease/oil marks from kitchen cupboards. I've tried household cleaning products that say they'll remove grease but they dont work on kitchen cupboards. I've tried lemon juice but that doesn't work either. If you have some cleaning tips I could try I'd be very grateful! The grease/oil is from day to day cooking so generally cooking oil.
    Posted by Helen Foster on 24/09/2009 10:38:09
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  16. How do you clean, get rid of water marks and polish the leather inset in the top of a desk or other table
    Posted by gillian smith on 22/09/2009 14:05:51
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  17. Hi could you tell me if it is tea or coffe you use to put the colour back into wooden furniture ?
    Posted by Tracy on 21/09/2009 13:55:36
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  18. Hi there I have a little boy who managed to get hold of a coloured pencil and he has drawn on a painted wall and laminate flooring and wooden cabinet. Could you tell me what I would use to get rid of them. Thanks
    Posted by Debra on 18/09/2009 17:57:44
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  19. hi, please can u tell me how i can clean a wooden cot that has got red facepaint on it ??? thankyou.x
    Posted by kayla on 15/09/2009 10:54:35
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  20. how can i remove stickiness that has occured on my wooden kitchen table from all cooking fumes?
    Posted by yvonne on 10/09/2009 19:35:36
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  21. How can I remove felt-tip pen from a solid-oak desk, ( my pencil case leaked) without staining or damaging the wood? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Posted by charlotte on 09/09/2009 17:13:31
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  22. Hi, Please could you tell me how I should treat/clean my new high gloss black dining table. Thanks!
    Posted by Gracie on 06/09/2009 20:59:10
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  23. hiya kim and aggie i really like your show and watch it quite alot and i was just wondering if you could tell me how to get excess bluetack off of my wall paper without ripping it. thanks!
    Posted by shannon333 on 03/09/2009 21:45:39
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  24. We have a dining room maghony table and cannot remove white heat stains from using table mats as well as the cork residue? thanks
    Posted by M Carron on 30/08/2009 11:09:26
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  25. please could you tell me the ingredients for making the homemade wax for my wooden furniture thanks
    Posted by beverleyjane on 16/08/2009 17:21:15
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  26. I have inherited a hall table that was my grandmothers: it has become pretty dirty over time and I think hasn't been particularly cared for for the past 15 - 20 years . Can anyone advise on best method for cleaning please so I can restore it to it's former condition? Thanks
    Posted by Tracey Younger on 15/08/2009 20:28:33
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  27. I have lovely wooden bed side tables but a couple of years ago i was using warm wax one day when i was pampering myself and some of it spilled on the bedside table now i have a horrible green stain on it. How do i get this stain out??
    Posted by lisa on 10/08/2009 17:48:23
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  28. Please Help! I've used Klear floor polish on my laminate floor to give it back its shine, but it says you need to clean it off with ammonia after every 5-6 applications. I've tried all sorts to remove it to no avail and the polish has left dirty marks on my floor rather than the lovely shine. Can you please suggest anything that I can use?
    Posted by tracey ward on 04/08/2009 13:27:17
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  29. I have just had a new bathroom put in and have a mahogany wooden toilet seat. Could you please advise the best way to clean this without damaging the wood but making sure that the germs are dealt with. Thanks
    Posted by Foxy Loxy on 31/07/2009 16:37:39
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  30. Hi, I recently bought a lot of dolls for my daughter but they have a very strong cigarette smell, how can i get rid of the cigarette smell on the dolls??? Please let me know. Thanks!!!
    Posted by roxybrown1 on 31/07/2009 01:50:56
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  31. Please can you help I have a grease mark on my untreated wood kitchen top. How can I remove it. Thank you.
    Posted by Ellie on 22/07/2009 20:43:22
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  32. hi there i have been blessed with two little tikes and they drew all over new wardrobes in crayon how do i remove this without distroying the surface. also i have noticed that at night i have worms and beetles all over my kitchen and living room what could these be.i am constantly trying to glam my floor up as i have laminate throughout house what did you use on the programme to get a shine. please help
    Posted by anne carroll on 19/07/2009 19:41:34
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  33. I don't know where this tip came from - it might even have come from Kim and Aggie, however, I'll share it again. If you have a kitchen bin which is clean but smells a bit, you can freshen it by putting one handfull of washing powder and one handfull of kitty litter (clean!!) in the bottom of the bin before you put the liner in. The washing powder makes it smell nice and the kitty litter soaks up any liquid spills.
    Posted by Les on 15/07/2009 12:59:09
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  34. Hi Aggie and Kim! I'm a big fan of your show 'How clean is your house'? And I was wondering if you could give me a few tips on how I could get blue-tack stains off my wardrobe? I've had many posters stuck on my wardrobe in the past, and have only recently removed them. Unfortunately, my wardrobe has lots of white marks all over it!! I've tried hot soapy water to remove it, but that hasn't shifted it! Is there anything I can do? Please help!
    Posted by Alana Stephens on 16/06/2009 18:16:22
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  35. On one of your programmes a long while ago you cleaned a wooden floor, it restored its colour and sheen but I can't remember what you used. My floors are scratched in places. I'm trying to sell my house so would like to make the floors better. Cleaning with a mop does not revive it enough. Please can you help?
    Posted by Helen on 03/06/2009 12:58:26
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  36. hi aggie and kim. i just move to the new house and then i realised that i've some small visitors at night -mice- while i was cleaning the cupboard.i've seen one of your pogramme that you spray and clean the surface with something that the smell repell them so they dont came back again.could you tell what is on the spray please. i'm very clean,tidy,kind of control freak person so you can imagine my nightmare.please help
    Posted by vanessa sweet on 27/05/2009 15:44:31
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  37. what do u mix with lemon oil to soak dusting cloths to use on wooden surfaces
    Posted by eleanor on 22/05/2009 09:39:57
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  38. Our council house has those old hideous doors that appear to be wood laminate - we can't afford new ones yet as there are eight of the things - does anyone know how to get these clean? Many thanks in advance...
    Posted by Marni on 23/04/2009 13:23:14
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  39. Hi I cannot find the quantities used for linseed oil and beeswax used to put on wooden doors. Is it possible to email this to me. Thanks
    Posted by caroline staveley on 16/04/2009 10:33:16
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  40. Hi I cannot find the quantities used for linseed oil and beeswax used to put on wooden doors. Is it possible to email this to me. Thanks
    Posted by caroline staveley on 16/04/2009 10:30:49
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  41. HOW CAN I GET INK OF MY WOODEN TABLE??
    Posted by JEMMA MCGRATH on 05/04/2009 10:29:00
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  42. hello my house is clean but i am having problems with dust i dont no wat to do can u help me sort out this problem thank u
    Posted by miss noon on 31/03/2009 18:22:02
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  43. I have a large ink stain on a wood veneer table. How can I remove it? Thanks!
    Posted by diane on 21/03/2009 09:35:10
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  44. Can you please remind me how you make the bees wax solution all I can remember is getting the bees wax I need to know what it is mixed with.
    Posted by Joyce Jones on 19/03/2009 00:02:40
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  45. hi i wanted to know iv got wooden chester draws and the got coffee stains from the cup and iv tryed polishing it but it wont come off. please help
    Posted by annaka on 14/03/2009 13:56:44
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  46. hi i wanted to know iv got wooden chester draws and the got coffee stains from the cup and iv tryed polishing it but it wont come off. please help
    Posted by annaka on 14/03/2009 13:54:45
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  47. I cant remember the stuff they made today for cleaning wooden furnitur. Something with lemon oil.
    Posted by Manuela on 12/03/2009 19:06:16
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  48. How do you get the smell out of beautifull old wooden wardrobes?
    Posted by Karen on 12/03/2009 03:37:45
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  49. can you please remind me how you make the bees wax solution all i can remember is getting the bees wax i need to know what it is mixed with and how to keep it runny cheers Naomi
    Posted by Naomi on 15/02/2009 11:06:25
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  50. I remember quite recently watching a programme where you used lemon oil mixture? to clean wooden furniture. I have inherited some old furniture complete with tobacco smells - many thanks
    Posted by amg2512 on 10/02/2009 12:11:25
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  51. can you please remind me how you make the bees wax solution all i can remember is getting the bees wax i need to know what it is mixed with cheers sylvie
    Posted by sylvie.c on 29/01/2009 17:04:51
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  52. Could you please tell me what it was that one of the girls used in conjunction with the block of Beeswax when cleaning antique wooden furniture. good programme rather them than me.
    Posted by Stuart on 17/01/2009 15:37:47
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  53. i live in portugal and suffer with bad condesation how can i get rid of it thank you
    Posted by mandy on 15/01/2009 12:14:55
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  54. i have recently moved into my home and all the front windows are old double glazed. so they seem to get really damp and mould on them. any suggestions
    Posted by katy byrne on 14/01/2009 11:47:05
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  55. I have inhereted an upright piano but it smells and is stained very badly from tobacco smoke. How can i clean the wood to remove thias horrible smell.
    Posted by tigger2 on 03/01/2009 16:59:57
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  56. I have waterstained a cherry-veneer table top. It's a dining table, so it is big. The stain is about 5 cm in diameter. Can you suggest a way to spot repair? The stain looks white, so it needs its colour brought back Thank you
    Posted by Mick on 01/01/2009 16:41:43
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  57. My dad plays golf, and had seen a field mouse one night, but after a while he could see it because he searched all over the place. But today i was cleaning for him and i found mouse droppings in some cloths in the cleaning cupboard. what should we do ??? please Help!
    Posted by Naomi Darlington - Case on 22/11/2008 11:58:11
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  58. I have a solid wooden pine wardrobe which smells musty, how do i get rid of this smell quickly as its becoming very strong. We did move recently and previously the wardrobe was near a damp pach and damp spots hard started to form on some clothes and shoes inside that we had to throw away. Please Help!!!!
    Posted by Alison Hill on 22/10/2008 21:23:33
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