Polished furniture is a special category, because, unlike matte, it is more susceptible to dirt, attracts dust faster, and is sensitive to mechanical damage. But, if you provide these products with proper care, they will last as long as others. Our experts have compiled the most effective methods for cleaning polished furniture for you. More on this later.
Effective cleaning methods
Household chemicals
Since the glossy surface is quite sensitive, abrasive products, chemical solvents (for example, gasoline or acetone), as well as intense mechanical impact (for example, with a metal brush) are contraindicated for cleaning. Otherwise, the polish will at least become dull, and in the worst case, it will collapse.
Hardware stores offer a wide range of special care products for polished furniture. Conventionally, they can be divided into several categories:
Silicone-based products;
Wax polishes;
Compounds that create a protective layer on the surface;
Means with the effect of coloring.
These furniture care products are very easy to use. It is enough to apply a small amount of the product on a clean rag made of natural fabric, a paper napkin, a cotton pad or a soft sponge to remove dust and carefully polish the glossy surface. But, before applying the composition to a contaminated area, you need to test it on an inconspicuous area. To carefully remove plasticine or wax, it is enough to use a wooden spatula.
Folk methods
Cheaper and no less effective than ready-made chemical compositions – home remedies will easily cope with various contaminants on polished products. If you need to remove fresh finger stains, dirt, grease stains, you can use any of the following methods:
Laundry soap – finely grate a small piece of laundry soap. Dissolve in warm water. Thoroughly wipe the contaminated area with the resulting soap solution, applying the composition with a clean cloth or cotton pad.
Talc/Flour – Talcum powder or baby powder is ideal for removing grease stains (in a pinch, you can use regular wheat flour). The greasy area of furniture must be tightly sprinkled with any of the selected products and left to act for 15 minutes. Then wipe with a clean natural cloth.
Potato – Cut into a medium sized potato. Grate the stained area of furniture with half a potato. Leave for 10-15 minutes. Then carefully wipe the glossy surface with a clean, dry cloth until it shines.
Alcohol + vegetable oil – mix the components in equal amounts. Thoroughly wipe the stained area with the resulting mixture until it shines.
Milk is also a good way to clean glossy furniture surfaces. Soak a cloth in milk, squeeze lightly and walk over the desired area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbfurniture until the pollution disappears. It remains only to remove the remaining milk with a clean, dry cloth.
If the pollution is already old, more aggressive means will be needed:
Salt + vegetable oil – an effective remedy for traces of hot dishes. Wrap a small amount of salt in a small rag. Dip the resulting salt ball into vegetable oil. Wipe the soiled area of furniture with it. Remove residues with a clean natural cloth.
Tea brewing is a great way to polish. Put the tea leaves left after drinking tea in a cloth napkin and gently walk over the furniture surface.
Vinegar – since the acid in vinegar can adversely affect the condition of a polished product, you need to act quickly: moisten a clean cloth or cotton pad in table vinegar and delicately walk over glossy furniture. Thoroughly remove residual vinegar from the surface immediately with a dry cloth.
Sauerkraut pickle – will help remove various stains of medium old age. It is enough to wipe the surface of the furniture with a cloth or cotton pad soaked in brine until a “healthy” shine appears.
Council. Regardless of the product chosen, the process of cleaning glossy furniture should always be finished with a polish using a soft flannel cloth.
To maintain the luxurious shine of glossy furniture, it is important to wipe it regularly with special compounds. But you can use natural remedies that will do just as well.
Burr oil – an inexpensive and safe product that gives lacquered furniture a second life. The method of using the product is very simple: apply a small amount of oil on a gauze or cotton cloth and carefully wipe the furniture surface until the desired shine appears.
Vegetable oil + table vinegar – components mixed in equal proportions create an effective mixture that perfectly renews the look of polished furniture.
Beer – not only an intoxicating drink, but also an excellent polish. Pour 1 tbsp. beer (any) in a saucepan, put on fire. Throw a small piece of paraffin candle there and wait until it melts. Remove from stove and let cool. Wipe the furniture with the finished composition. Then polish thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
Care Tips
Polished products are finicky: they require constant “attention”. But if you take care of them correctly, there will be no particular difficulties. And, most importantly, the operational life of the furniture will last. Remember and follow a few simple rules:
Care should be regular – you should not allow the accumulation of a significant amount of dust and stains – they are more difficult to remove from a glossy surface than from a matte one.
Products containing alcohol are undesirable – exposure to the glossy surface of alcohol can lead to the disappearance of its luster.
For cleaning, you need to use only a soft cloth – only natural fabrics such as felt, wool, flannel, suede, etc. are suitable for cleaning polished furniture.
Do not allow moisture to get on the surface – moisture, as you know, is detrimental to wood, and even more so for polished wood (lacquer can crack, and wood can deform).
It is necessary to use ready-made compounds for polished surfaces correctly – apply a small amount of the product to a soft, dry cloth, wipe the furniture thoroughly, and then polish it dry.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.