Wood is a sturdy resource, but that’s not to say it doesn’t need a little maintenance over time – and kept clean!
Many of our household furniture items are susceptible to regular cleaning methods, and wood is no exception. The good news is you can keep it looking spick and span with items you might find in your pantry, and this article shows you how to do that!
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Using Vinegar to Clean Wood
Cleaning wood furniture using the right cleaning agent is important in order to keep the rich color and ensure that it looks ship-shape (regardless of whether it’s three years old or 300 year olds) – and the good news is to achieve this you won’t need some fancy, expensive cleaning product.
Your average white vinegar brand will do the job!
Vinegar… what can’t it do?! It’s great for salads, French fries, various beauty regimes – and it is ideal for numerous cleaning challenges.
It’s also a good friend to your wooden furniture.
[amazon box=”B07NS85MLZ” template=”vertical”]What You’ll Need:
- 2 cups of warm water
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Clean, microfiber cloth
- Essential oil of choice (optional)
Method:
Vacuum or wipe the area first to remove any dust.
Combine the white vinegar and warm water in your spray bottle and shake well. Add a few drops of your essential oil to the mixture if you’re not keen on the potent smell of vinegar (rosemary, lemon, or sandalwood are particularly complimentary for wood products!).
Label the container for regular use for safety purposes. Keep out of the reach of children.
Test the solution on a small area first before tackling the whole piece. Spray the solution onto a soft, clean cloth and apply it to the wood surface by rubbing with the grain to remove watermarks.
For heavily stained areas, add a small amount of baking soda to the surface. Complete the furniture cleaning process by buffing the surface with a dry cloth.
Polish as necessary.
Other Wood-Cleaning Options

Castile Oil
What You’ll Need:
- 4 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon Castile soap
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
- Empty spray bottle
- Mop (if wooden area is large, like flooring)
Method:
Use this natural wood cleaner by mixing it in a spray bottle and spraying it over your wooden furniture or floors. If it is the latter, use a mop with a soft cloth and spray more solution to the floor if necessary.
Homemade Varnish Remover
What You’ll Need:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup of water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Empty spray bottle
Method:
Unlike the harsh chemical polish removers available in the supermarket or hardware stores, this homemade recipe is non-toxic and safe.
Mix the above ingredients and spray over the surface and wipe off the original varnish and wood stains. When you’re done, you can polish the furniture, as necessary.
Homemade Cleaner And Polish
What You’ll Need:
- 4 tablespoons mineral oil or olive oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 empty spray bottle
- Soft cloth
Method:
Simply mix the above ingredients and spray onto the wood. Shake well before use and wipe up with a soft cloth to remove the solution from the surface of the wood.
Vinegar & Coconut Oil
What You’ll Need:
- A cup of water
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- A spray bottle
- A whisk
- A bowl
- Microfiber cloths
Method:
Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then shake the bottle well. Spray the mixture onto a dry cloth and clean the surface of the wood furniture with a piece of clean cloth.
After this, mix the lemon juice and coconut oil into your bowl and whisk the mixture.
Dip a fresh cloth into the mix, then apply to the wood furniture (you won’t need a lot). Buff the whole area using a dry cloth in circular motions until you’re satisfied.
Maintaining Wood Furniture

Try to keep your wood furniture out of direct sunlight and near radiators or other sources of heat. Or at least try to minimize exposure.
Avoid any kind of moisture exposure to your wood furniture. Damp properties may cause wooden items to slowly rot.
Dusting on a regular basis will help prevent a build-up of dust or general dirt. Using doilies, mats, or coasters is a wise idea to guard the surface against wear and tear, as well as moisture.
Seeking advice from a local carpentry company can also provide knowhow on how to expand the longevity of your wood furniture. Although wood is a very robust material, it is important that it is well-maintained.
Using Olive Oil as a Wood Polish
Again, if you’re not keen on using harsh chemicals on your favorite wooden furniture pieces, olive oil rub is a wonderful natural product to use as a polish.
You can also mix it with lemon juice or an essential oil of choice to give the wood a nice fragrance.
[amazon box=”B08L4MLRXZ,B00ICT8NMI,B06XRLR9RQ” grid=”3″]What NOT to Do When Cleaning Wood
- Don’t clean wood furniture with undiluted vinegar. This can leave watermarks and the acid can damage your furniture’s finish.
- Do not use water or soap.
- Avoid any store-bought products that contain ammonia, as it is corrosive.
Conclusion

You can keep wooden floors and furniture clean and well-maintained just by using simple products you’ll already have in your kitchen, such as vinegar and olive oil.
The same goes for when it comes to polishing your wood furniture. More often than not, natural products are the best choice for maintenance than store-bought cleaning products which contain many harsh synthetic chemicals.
Furniture made from real wood needs to be looked after. Avoid water products coming into contact with them.
Always use coasters when placing down drinks to avoid stains and watermarks.
If you prefer to use cleaning products on your wood items, avoid any that has ammonia (which is corrosive).
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.