Finding the truth about wood care products can be a confusing – and frustrating – process. Some people see them as a good way to preserve your furniture’s finish, while others perceive polishes as the cause of waxy buildup and deterioration.
Pick Your Product. The reality, however, is that neither of these things is true. Polishes, waxes, and wood cleaners aren’t all good, and they aren’t all bad … but they do have a place in caring for and preserving the wood around your home. Continue through the slides to learn more.
Liquid polish doesn’t really affect the wood itself positively or negatively. It temporarily adds luster and makes it smoother, so it’s a bit more scratch-resistant. It also aids in picking up dust and dirt from the surface.
How to Use It: To remove dust, just barely dampen the cloth so it doesn’t leave significant wetness on the surface of the wood. To enhance the sheen of the wood, saturate the cloth completely, and then wipe it over the surface.
Most spray polishes contain silicone, so they last longer and produce a slicker surface on wood. The silicone poses no danger to wood or to finish. If you have plans to refinish a piece, however, it’s best to avoid these polishes. They can be difficult to remove with chemical strippers later on.
How to Use It: To remove dust and dirt and preserve the glossiness of your finish, spray a small amount on the surface of the wood. Then wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
One common myth about paste wax is that it prevents finish from “breathing,” which will damage it. Finish doesn’t breathe, though, so wax doesn’t prevent moisture exchange or harm the finish. If applied properly, it creates no haze and doesn’t collect dirt.
How to Use It: Wrap a lump of wax in a clean, dry cloth, and then let the wax seep through the cloth as you rub the surface. Switch to a new clean cloth to remove the excess and buff the finish.
These mild cleaners are better for wood floors than other types of soap, but they can still leave a slight residue behind. Some get mixed with water, which can further damage wood floors over time.
How to Use It: When possible, rely on sweeping and vacuuming to clean your wood floors. But when they do need deeper cleaning, you should definitely choose one of these mild soaps recommended for hardwood floors over another type of cleaner.
