Tips For Cleaning And Maintaining Different Wood Finishes

Whether it is wooden floors or furniture, both of them require adequate protection to extend their life without sacrificing their lustre. This is where finishes for wood play a significant role. It offers enough protection for your wooden furniture and floors. There are different types of finishes that people use to maintain the wood’s natural beauty.

This makes cleaning and maintaining them a bit more difficult. According to the experts who do budget end of lease cleaning Canberra, you need a different approach for cleaning each type of wood finish. Here are the tips for cleaning and maintaining different wood finishes. Apply them to ensure the polish looks clean at all times.

1. Clean the Oil Finish With a Dry Cloth

Oil finishes are known to enhance the visual appeal of the unfinished wood. It is true that there are natural oils present in the wood. However, as the time passes, they usually dry out. This is where oil finishes come in handy, as it helps enhance the natural grain. But you will need to keep the oiled wood clean to maximise the appearance. It is best recommended to wipe the surface using a dry and clean cloth.

If you are not able to get rid of the stain using a dry cloth, soak a soft cloth in water and squeeze it well. Wipe the surface using it. Next, quickly follow up with using a dry cloth for wiping. Remember to follow the grain during the wiping procedure. If the surface appears to be specifically dirty, simply prepare a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Moist a cloth in the solution, squeeze it out well and wipe the surface. Finally, dry using a dry cloth.

2. Use Gentle Dish Soap to Clean Wax Finish

Wax finishes on wood are not quite common. This is because the protection it offers does not last long. They are available in several forms, such as solid, liquid, and stick. Cleaning is not as complicated as you might think. According to professionals who do cheap end of lease cleaning Canberra, a mixture of warm water and gentle dish soap will be sufficient. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Eliminate the loose dust and dirt using a lint-free and soft cloth.
• Prepare the cleaning solution by mixing dish soap and warm water.
• Soak a cloth in the solution and squeeze it well.
• Use the cloth to wipe the surface while following the wood’s grain.
• Dry the surface using a clean, dry cloth.

3. Clean Varnished, Lacquered and Shellacked Wood

Varnish is one of the most popular types of wood finishes. They are available in both coloured and transparent forms. It is a durable wood finish. On the other hand, lacquer is considered a quick-drying finish. It is able to reach the wood easily and nourish it. Using it is ideal for improving the wood’s grain. Finally, shellac is natural wax. It is known to be secreted by a bug. It is efficient at covering damage on wooden surfaces.

It is best recommended to avoid using toxic chemicals for these finishes since they can cause damage. A solution prepared by mixing one part water and one part dish soap is perfect. Moisten a cloth with this solution and wipe the surface. Finally, use a lint-free, dry cloth for drying the surface. This method is often used for cleaning varnished, lacquered and shellacked wood during professional end of lease cleaning Canberra.

4. Use Dish Detergent to Clean Painted Wood

Paint typically comes in plenty of colours and is often used on wood. It is worth noting that the primary purpose of paint is to cover the surface completely rather than permitting the wood to showcase its natural appearance. Nevertheless, cleaning painted wood is quite straightforward and also good for your mental health. Simply prepare a solution by mixing water and mild dish detergent. Moist a cloth with it and wipe the surface. Use a paper towel to dry the surface.

5. Tips for Maintaining Wood Finishes

Besides cleaning the finishes using green cleaners, focusing on maintenance is highly important if you want your wood finishes to last long. Being proactive when dealing with some issues while refraining from doing certain things that can ruin the appearance of the wood is vital.

Keep the Wood Away from Sunlight

There is nothing worse than direct sunlight on your wood furniture and its finish. The UV rays can cause more damage than you think. The best way to ensure maximum protection is to avoid placing the furniture anywhere near the windows where the sun shines.

Promptly Tackle Scratches and Dents

Addressing surface scratches is often quite easy. Using a paste wax or a finishing oil can prove to be enough in most cases. However, if the scratch is deep, you will need to apply more effort. This is because you will be required to fill in using wood filler and ensure the area is sanded down to the level. Next, you will need to get the colour right. The quicker you do these things, the better it will be for your wood furniture.

How to Clean and Maintain Wood Finishes?

Wrapping Up

Cleaning and maintaining different wood finishes is not complicated. The methods mentioned in this article are quite effective according to professionals who do expert end of lease cleaning Canberra. Use them to clean the finish of your wood furniture.