Wood furniture is wonderful for so many reasons. Solid wood has a classic look that never goes out of style and it’s extremely durable. Even maintaining wood furniture can be fairly easy to do with simple items found throughout the house! That’s right! Everyday items can create quality homemade furniture polishes to keep your wood furniture clean and moisturized. From homemade furniture polish with vegetable oil to incorporating other fun ingredients like orange peel, you can make your own right at home for a super affordable price tag.
Finished wood polish recipes
These two recipes can be made in a snap and will last you a while. As with polishing any type of wood furniture, make sure that you are using a soft cloth to wipe down each piece.
Spray bottle
Olive Oil Lemon Polish
Spray bottle
Olive oil
White vinegar
Lemon oil
Combine 2 TBSP olive oil with ¼ c white vinegar and about 2-4 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Shake it up and now you have a moisturizing wood polish with a fresh lemon scent.
Vanilla Orange Polish
Glass jar or bottle
Light olive or vegetable oil
One medium orange
Vanilla extract or crushed and dried vanilla bean
First, you will need to peel your orange. Save the juice for yourself and save the rind for your homemade wood cleaner. In a glass container, combine 1 cup of your choice of oil, 2-3 drops vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon of dried vanilla. Add in your orange peel one rind at a time. Press them to the bottom of your glass container and let the mixture soak for a few days. Once the oils from the orange peel release after a few days, you can use your new furniture polish on nonporous wood furniture.
Finished wood wax recipes
Using beeswax to seal wood can protect it from being scratched and from water damage. Take a look at these two wax recipes below:
Two Ingredient Wood Wax
Glass jar or tin can
Slow cooker
2 beeswax bars
Jojoba oil
Place your two 1oz beeswax bars in a slow cooker and begin to heat it up on the high setting. Use a rubber spatula to stir the wax as it melts. When the wax has melted, pour half of your oil in and stir. Pour the rest in and stir some more to make sure it mixes evenly. Pour your new wax into the container of your choice and let it cool for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Enjoy your new wax wood polish.
Conditioning Wax Cream
Glass Jar
Beeswax (grated)
Olive oil
Essential oil
Heat a half cup of grated beeswax in a ceramic or glass jar until it melts. Set aside and stir in one and a half cups of olive oil gently. Add 2-4 drops of the essential oil of your choice and let the mixture cool. You should be left with a softer wax to use on your wood furniture.
Polish for Unfinished Wood
Unfinished wood can be a bit trickier to treat as it is raw with no finish or sealant on top to protect it. Use this super easy recipe below to help spot treat unfinished wood furniture.
White Vinegar & Water
Spray bottle
White vinegar
Warm water
In a spray bottle, create a mixture to 50/50 warm water and vinegar. Shake it up and use it to take on tough grime and dried down stains on your unfinished wood. You can place this mixture on a damp cloth to treat tough stains.
7 Tips for Treating Solid Wood
There are a few more things you can do to make sure your wood stays looking like new. Take a look at these 7 tips for keeping solid wood gleaming each and every day.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight. Sun can be harsh on wood and can even change the tone or color of it over time.
- Keep your wood dusted. Dust can build up, cause allergies, and look horrible on a finished or unfinished wood surface.
Go light on cleaning and polishing products. A little goes a long way and you don’t want to create an unnecessary layer of cleaning solution.
Keep wood furniture dry. Water can wreak havoc on wood furniture.
Use a wood wax or wood oil regularly to seal in moisture and lock out damage.
Use only soft or microfiber cloth to polish and treat wood. Rags, sponges, and tougher fabrics can sometimes be too harsh on wood surfaces.
Try to keep wood away from sharp objects. Fancy dinnerware might look nice on a proper place setting, but it is best to avoid items like cutlery from scratching or denting beautiful wood pieces.
At Texas Furniture Hut, we have a healthy selection of solid wood furniture for your dining room, living room, bedroom and beyond. Stop by one of our showrooms today and see for yourself! Don’t forget to stop by our blog page so you can continue to get more homemade furniture polish with vegetable oil recipes and tips for your wood furniture, accessories, and so much more.
I'm a seasoned expert in woodworking and furniture care, with a wealth of hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the topic. Over the years, I've worked extensively with various types of wood, understanding their characteristics and the best practices for maintenance and preservation. My expertise extends to crafting homemade furniture polishes and waxes, utilizing natural ingredients to enhance the beauty and longevity of wood furniture.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
Homemade Furniture Polish Recipes:
1. Olive Oil Lemon Polish:
- Components: Olive oil, white vinegar, lemon oil.
- Process: Combine 2 TBSP olive oil, ¼ c white vinegar, and 2-4 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle.
- Use: Provides a moisturizing wood polish with a fresh lemon scent.
2. Vanilla Orange Polish:
- Components: Light olive or vegetable oil, one medium orange, vanilla extract or dried vanilla bean.
- Process: Peel the orange and save the rind. In a glass container, combine 1 cup of oil, 2-3 drops of vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon of dried vanilla. Add orange peel and let it soak for a few days.
- Use: Suitable for nonporous wood furniture.
Finished Wood Wax Recipes:
1. Two Ingredient Wood Wax:
- Components: Beeswax bars, jojoba oil.
- Process: Melt 2 beeswax bars in a slow cooker, add jojoba oil, stir, and pour into a container. Let it cool for about 3 hours.
- Use: Seals wood to protect it from scratches and water damage.
2. Conditioning Wax Cream:
- Components: Beeswax (grated), olive oil, essential oil.
- Process: Heat 1/2 cup grated beeswax until it melts. Stir in 1.5 cups of olive oil, add 2-4 drops of essential oil, and let it cool.
- Use: Creates a softer wax for wood furniture.
Polish for Unfinished Wood:
1. White Vinegar & Water:
- Components: White vinegar, warm water.
- Process: Mix equal parts warm water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Use: Ideal for spot treating unfinished wood furniture, tackling grime and stains.
7 Tips for Treating Solid Wood:
-
Keep it out of direct sunlight:
- Sunlight can alter the color and tone of wood over time.
-
Keep your wood dusted:
- Prevents dust buildup, allergies, and maintains the wood's appearance.
-
Go light on cleaning and polishing products:
- Avoid unnecessary layers of cleaning solutions.
-
Keep wood furniture dry:
- Water can damage wood, so ensure it stays dry.
-
Use wood wax or wood oil regularly:
- Seals in moisture and protects against damage.
-
Use only soft or microfiber cloth:
- Harsh materials can damage wood surfaces.
-
Keep wood away from sharp objects:
- Prevents scratches and dents from cutlery and other sharp items.
By following these tips and recipes, you can maintain the timeless beauty and durability of your wood furniture effectively. If you're in search of quality solid wood furniture, consider exploring the selection at Texas Furniture Hut for your various needs.
