Remove loose surface dirt and dust with a clean, soft cotton cloth in specific areas, like under furniture. Suck up dust or surface dirt with a vacuum cleaner, using the hose and soft brush attachments. Cleaners that have a neutral PH balance won’t disturb the finish of your floor. Cleaners like detergents can remove dust and dirt, but have a higher PH balance. Only use these on older floors.
You want your sponge or mop to be damp and not wet so you don’t leave any standing water on your floor. Floor cleaners like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner are specifically made to be safe on hardwood floors, and will even get rid of scuff marks and hardened spills. [2] X Research source
For hard finishes, only use a soft, clean cloth to wipe. Harder brushes, harsh chemicals with a higher PH balance, or steel wool can ruin your coating. For soft finishes, you can use No. 000 steel wool and wood floor wax. If the area doesn’t lighten up, apply vinegar to warm water and soak the area for about an hour. Then rinse with a clean damp cloth. As a general rule for soft finishes, use steel wool and floor wax for tougher marks, and a light cloth with dishwashing detergent and water for lighter, or oil-based stains.
Feather dusters aren’t as effective for furniture because a feather duster won’t lift any particles. Some feather dusters also have sharp quills which could scratch your furniture.
Right now, you want to test to see if the detergent is going to be harmful to your wood furniture. Let the treated area sit for a minute or so and look for any discoloration. If you don’t notice any unwanted change, your solution is safe. If you do notice a change, then continue with only warm water and a damp cloth.
Be careful not to soak the wood. Keep your cloth or sponge damp but not soaking wet. Too much water will ruin the wood. You can also use mineral oil to clean your wood in addition to or as a substitution to detergent.
Once the wax begins to look dry or hazed over, grab a new cotton cloth or wax brush and buff the wax going in small circles over the waxed area. Different waxes will require you to wait different amounts of time before buffing. Read the directions on your wax for best results. Test a rub-on oil, spray, or wax on a small area of wood to ensure it does not cause damage to the wood’s finish.
You make an effective and harmless wood cleaner with a lemon, olive oil, and water.
You can stir your mixture together, but it’s best to mix your ingredients in a container with a lid and shake it up to diffuse the lemon juice and olive oil into the water. You can also use distilled white vinegar if you don’t have a lemon. If you’re mixing olive oil and vinegar, add one tablespoon of vinegar for every three tablespoons of olive oil.
Test your solution on a small area first just to make sure it reacts well with your wood. This homemade product is not only safe for you, but it won’t leave a film or streaks behind.
