In order to dust paneling that is higher than you can reach with a rag, you can use the dusting extension on your vacuum cleaner or an extendable hand-held duster.
Use this cleaning soap/oil mixture only if there are marks or stains on your paneling that cannot be removed by dusting.
Overly wet rags can penetrate the finish and cause staining. When cleaning any type of paneling, it’s imperative that you not let water soak into the paneling. This can both distort the wood or other material beneath the finish, and also warp the finishing itself. [3] X Research source
Work in small sections by first washing and then drying the area before moving on. Otherwise, you’ll leave a large portion of the paneling wet at once and risk damaging the finish. If you leave the water on the finished paneling for too long, it will discolor the finish and give it an unattractive gray tint.
Wash out the rag or sponge well to remove dirt and debris.
You should be able to purchase wood oil specifically designed for unfinished paneling at your local hardware or home-supply store. Be careful when cleaning unfinished paneling. The unprotected wood can easily absorb water, grease, and other liquids, and can quickly become warped or distorted.
Make sure to rub the oil in along the direction of the grain. This will allow the wood time to absorb the oil and will maintain the beauty of your unfinished wood paneling.
If you have already tried cleaning painted paneling with only water and were unsuccessful, visit a hardware store and look for a chemical product which will clean painted paneling. [9] X Research source
Painted paneling, unlike finished paneling, will be covered in a colored paint which conceals the grain of the wood. Consequently, it’s not as important that you wipe the paneling along the wood grain.
Although painted paneling is less likely to be damaged by water than finished or unfinished paneling, it’s still wise to remove the water from the paneling quickly.
