DIY Network

Polishing Wood Furniture From "Spruce It Up With the Queen of Clean Inside the Castle" episode SCI-104

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Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, shares tips and techniques for cleaning wood furniture. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E

Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, reveals tips, techniques and recipes for wood furniture.

Three Royal Furniture Polish Recipes

Note: Once these homemade recipes have been mixed, pour them in clean, labeled glass or plastic containers.

Recipe #1

1 cup mineral oil
3 drop of lemon oil or extract

Recipe #2

2 oz. grated beeswax
5 oz. turpentine

Recipe #3

1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar

Note: The oil nourishes the wood while the vinegar cleans it.

Recipes #1 and #2 can be stored in glass or plastic (make sure they're clean) containers, but #3 should be poured into a spray bottle.

Now that the recipes have been made, now it's time to see how they work. Follow this Queen-inspired tip:

• Spray or pour the homemade solution on a soft cloth (never spray directly on the furniture) and work it in, wiping "with" the grain (figure A). Right away you will see the luster return to the wood. If the wood looks dry, let it sit and go over it one more time with the oil and vinegar.

  If the wood has detail work, go over the area well with the cloth and solution, then take a soft-bristle brush to work the solution into the grooves (figure B). Buff with a soft cloth.

Now that the furniture is polished and sparkling clean, the Queen discusses some common problems with wood furniture and ways to solve them.

• Removing Old, Dull Furniture Polish -- Steep two tea bags in boiling water. Let the tea cool to room temperature, take a soft cloth, ring it out in the tea until it's damp and wash the wood. The tannic acid from the tea is wonderful for maintaining wood. You'll be surprised by how the wood will shine (figure C).

• Water and Heat Marks -- Apply a little mayonnaise (figure D) -- not salad dressing -- onto the spots, spread with a finger, let it soak for a few hours to overnight. Wipe and polish the entire table to restore the shine.

• Removing Difficult Marks -- For even the most difficult marks such as a writing pen, mayonnaise (the all-purpose cleaner) is still the way to go, along with some Rottenstone (figure E -- a mild pumice). Mix the pumice and mayo, work into the spot in the direction of the wood grain. This may take a little time. Reapply as needed, then take a cloth to clean.

• Restoring Dry- and Old-Looking Wood -- First, don't throw it out. Restore it. Work some petroleum jelly into the wood with your fingers with a massage action, and if the wood is in really bad shape, leave the jelly on for some time. Finish by working into the grain and buffing with a soft cloth.

RESOURCES :

Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean
ISBN: 0743418301
Author: Linda Cobb
(1998) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

Talking Dirty Laundry With the Queen of Clean
ISBN: 0743418328
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

The Queen of Clean: The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal
ISBN: 0743437837
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

A Queen for All Seasons: A Year of Tips, Tricks, and Picks for a Cleaner House and ...
ISBN: 0743428315
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com