Bed & Bath
How To Disinfect Wooden Furniture Without Damaging It
With the ongoing pandemic, we must not only keep ourselves clean but also make sure that our surroundings are always properly sanitized.
Health experts are now recommending cleaning and disinfecting high contact surfaces every day. Among other things, it also includes our furniture.
Like all things, wooden furniture should be cleaned with care to keep it well maintained.
Disinfecting wooden furniture is a thorough four step process that includes dusting, disinfecting, rinsing, and applying wax.
If you have never disinfected wooden furniture before, follow the simple step-by-step guide to have gleaming clean furniture in no time:
Step 1: Dust the Furniture
The first step for cleaning and disinfecting wooden furniture is dusting. This step is incredibly important since it allows for all dust particles that have gathered on the furniture over time to be removed and not hamper further cleaning.
Skipping this step or not doing it thoroughly would result in an even bigger mess; especially when the disinfecting solution is applied making the furniture more messy and harder to clean.
While dusting the wooden furniture, it is imperative to remove dirt from all parts of the furniture to avoid smearing dust particles during the actual disinfecting process.
Therefore, you should focus especially on the areas often ignored, i.e., the insides and edges of the furniture.
Finally, you must choose a product that can easily reach every nook and cranny of the furniture and cleans dust particles effectively.
● E-Cloth Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Microfiber cloths are the best option for dusting. As the name suggests, this type of cloth has tiny split fibers which trap dust particles between them. This ensures that the dust on the wood is not just smeared down but is properly cleaned off leaving the wooden furniture spotless.
● Casabella Wool Duster
Another great option for dusting is lambswool dusters which usually have a long handle allowing you to reach higher shelves and spots that are tougher to dust.
The natural composition of lambswool allows static charge to be created in the product which further attracts dust particles making it even easier to clean. Regardless of the name, these dusters are made naturally and are cruelty-free.
Step 2: Apply a Disinfectant
The next step in disinfecting wooden furniture is applying a disinfecting solution.
Considering how busy life has become in recent times, most of us easily forget that it is just as important to keep our surroundings clean.
For wooden furniture, cleaning is important to maintain it and ensure that it lasts for a long time. One thing that the pandemic has done is that it has made us realize that our surroundings can become highly contaminated especially if they are not properly cleaned regularly.
While most of us dust our furniture regularly, we need to remember that all contaminants are not visible to the naked eye, making disinfecting furniture a health concern.
For instance, allergens, bacteria, and other germs can accumulate and remain on the furniture’s surface for a long time, putting your loved ones and your health at risk.
Therefore, we should regularly disinfect all our wooden furniture to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Here are some great disinfectant products for wooden furniture.
● Lysol® Clean and Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner
There are plenty of surface disinfectants available in the market; each designed to rid your furniture of the germs and bacteria that may have gathered on it due to prolonged use.
This disinfectant should usually be diluted with water and let sit on the wooden furniture for a little while before wiping it. One such option is the Lysol® Clean and Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner which comes highly recommended for cleaning wooden furniture.
● 30% Pure Vinegar By Harris
Wooden furniture is expensive and timeless. If it is well taken care of and appropriately maintained, it is an investment. Disinfectants that are too harsh and concentrated to be used without diluting can ruin the finish of the wooden furniture if used directly without diluting.
Moreover, store bought disinfectants usually have a lot of chemicals which may not be safe for people with children and pets. A lot of consumers also do not want to use such disinfectants because of environmental concerns. In such cases, it is recommended to make a disinfectant at home using ingredients from your pantry.
If you don’t want to buy a disinfectant you can also make your own.
DIY Disinfectant
To make your own disinfectant, combine one part of vinegar with four parts of warm water.
Use it like a store-bought disinfectant i.e., spray the solution on the furniture and leave it for some time. Afterwards, wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. However, a word of caution here, since vinegar is acidic, it should be cleaned thoroughly so that the finish of the wooden furniture is not compromised.
Step 3: Rinse-Off the Disinfectant
The third step in the process of disinfecting wooden furniture is wiping off the disinfecting solution.
Although it may seem like a tedious process, it is essential to follow all guidelines to preserve the integrity of the wood.
If the steps are not followed properly, the wood cleaning can end up ruining your priceless furniture!
Since disinfectants often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the wood (especially with long exposures), correctly wiping off the disinfectant is essential regardless of whether the disinfectant is store-bought or home-made.
This is done by wiping the wooden furniture with a moist piece of cloth.
Solutions like vinegar and ammonia can ruin the finish of the wood.
Last but not the least, it is important to always use a disinfectant that is meant for wooden furniture.
It should be kept in mind that wood is a porous substance which can be ruined by prolonged exposure to water and other solutions.
Hence, it is not advisable to use a lot of water while disinfecting wooden furniture. Avoid soaking the wood as it can make the furniture swell and form water rings on the surface of the wood.
Step 4: Apply a Wood Wax or Finish
Finally, you should finish the process by applying a finish or a wax specifically designed for wooden furniture.
This will prevent the furniture from losing its charm and help maintain its finish and structural integrity for a longer time.
Additionally, a good wax helps to enhance the natural color and aesthetic of the wood and protects it from everyday wear and tear (such as scratches) from persistent use.
For this step, you should invest in a good quality wax meant for the specific type of wood used in your furniture.
The wax should be rubbed on the wood in circular motions using a microfiber cloth to avoid wax buildup. It is crucial to apply the wax in small amounts and layer it on as and when required as opposed to applying a large amount in one go.
This wood polish by Howard is a budget-friendly option to give your wooden furniture a new look. It includes ingredients known to be great for wood such as Carnauba and beeswax as well as oil making it easy to buff on the surface of wooden furniture. It is the perfect polish to enhance the natural finish of the wood and keep it looking as good as new.
These wipes from Weiman are a more convenient alternative to the above-mentioned polish. However, they may not be suitable for environmentally conscious consumers.
They are handy and versatile and can be used on any wood surface to improve its natural shine and finish as well as removing scratches.
A great benefit of these wipes is that they add a protective film on the wood’s surface to preserve it from future damage. Furthermore, the formula of the wax protects wooden furniture from the harmful UV rays of the sun which causes the natural color of the wood to fade away with time.
Another great alternative from Howards is the Citrus Shield Paste wax which not only protects the wood from UV damage but also forms a waterproof layer on the wood’s surface protecting it from swelling in case of water spills.
This wax is created from one of nature’s hardest waxes which helps to restore the internal damage to the wooden furniture. It also works well with both new and antique wooden furniture making it a very versatile product. In conclusion, this wax works on a lot of different surfaces such as wooden furniture, paint and concrete.
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