Lauren said, “I have a dresser and drawers that are made of unfinished cedar wood. How do I clean this? There are no stains; it’s just old.”
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Unfinished wood is a porous material, which can quickly soak up spills, food or product residues, or the natural body oils on a person’s hands.¹ Even household dust can soak into the pores of the wood. Use the information below to keep your unfinished surface clean.²
Cleaning the Wood
You Will Need:
- A cloth
- A vacuum
- A rubber sponge
- Mineral spirits or kerosene
- Vegetable oil
Steps to Clean the Wood:
- Dust the wood frequently with a soft, dry cloth.² Vacuuming the wood with an upholstery attachment can also be effective.³
- For a more thorough cleaning, use a rubber sponge to scrub the table.⁴
- For a deep cleaning, moisten a cloth with some mineral spirits or kerosene and wring the cloth to remove any excess liquid. Test the solution on a hidden area first, and if safe, use the damp cloth to scrub the wood. Turn the cloth to a fresh area as it absorbs the dirt.²
- Once the table is clean, consider wiping it with vegetable oil to restore the shine.⁶
Additional Tips and Advice
- Avoid any cleaner that is made for sealed wood or urethane-finished wood. These cleaners can cause the grain of unfinished wood to raise.⁵
- Avoid applying excess moisture on the wood as it can cause it to swell or warp.⁴
- For tough stains, see our guide: How to Remove Stains from Unfinished Wood.
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Sources
- 1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints & Tips by Reader’s Digest
- Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
- Cleaning Tips for Free Spirits & Other Slobs by Martha A. Walden
- The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
- Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
- Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin
Can I use Swiffer dry mop products on an oil finished wood floor? Are Swiffers considered microfiber as I have been told I should not use microfiber on my new oil finished floors? Thank you.
Judy,
According to Swiffer, “Swiffer products are safe to use on finished floors, but not recommended for unfinished, oiled or waxed woodfloors.” Instead, use either a cotton or wool dry mop. There are cotton replacement pads that can be used instead of Swiffer pads with a Swiffer-style wet or dry mop as well. Good luck!
Source: Swiffer – How to Care for Wood Floors
Source: Comparison Lab – 14 Mops for Hardwood Floors
Source: US Floors – PDF Download, Maintenance of Oil-Finished Hardwood Floors