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Home / Cleaning Guides / Floor & Carpet / Floors / How to Clean Varnished Wood

How to Clean Varnished Wood

varnishedwood

Table of Contents:
  1. You Will Need
  2. Steps to Clean the Wood
  3. Additional Tips and Advice

Jane asked: How do I clean varnished wood? My in-law’s house has beautiful, varnished wood doors. They need cleaning.

When well maintained, the beautiful varnished finish on wood provides a protective layer that allows for easier cleaning. Follow these tips for general cleaning and removal of heavier dirt or grime build-up when necessary.

You Will Need:

  • Soft dry cloth
  • Furniture polish
  • Moist cloth

Steps to Clean the Wood:

  1. For general maintenance, wipe varnished wood with a soft dry cloth to remove dust.
  2. If there are sticky or other harder-to-remove spots, wipe the spot away with a moist cloth then immediately follow with a dry cloth. Do NOT allow extended contact with wet cloths. The varnish is not waterproof, and the will absorb the water if kept in contact with moisture for a long time. This will damage the finish of the varnished wood.
  3. To restore shine, apply a solvent-based furniture polish with a soft dry cloth. Check the product label for one indicated for use on varnished wood.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • Do not use water or alcohol-based cleaners on varnished wood, as these may damage the finish.
  • If excess wax build-up is a problem, wipe the wood down with a rag dampened in mineral spirits or turpentine. Wear rubber gloves, dispose of rags used for application carefully, and follow up with a coat of furniture paste wax. Choose one to match the color of your wood and follow all label directions.

Cleaning Guides, Floors, Furniture, General Housecleaning

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About the Author

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Susan

I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business. These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.

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Comments

  1. Ernie says

    November 3, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Need advice for removing a substance from a dining room table. Cloth-backed vinyl cover was tucked underneath at each end – vinyl (not cloth side) was against the varnish where tucked. Tucked portion – the vinyl side of the cover – stuck to the surface and when removed, a sticky film remained. Warm water and soap gently applied did not work. Have been advised to use mineral spirits, turpentine, and even GOOP hand cleaner. This is a very antique and special table. Any advice would be welcome.

    Thanks,
    Ernie

    Reply
  2. Jackie says

    December 31, 2013 at 11:39 am

    I just used Goop to clean off a sticky residue left by tape from my nice Hooker dining table. It is stained and varnished wood. Now, I have a shiny spot that won’t go away. I am afraid to use other products now without advice. Did I damage the surface with Goop? Or did the combination of old tape sticker residue combined with Goop go beneath the surface? It seemed that the affected surface is also a little soft, and it has a drag when rubbing a cloth over it.

    Please help if you have an idea of what to do to get the surface back to normal.

    Reply
  3. Daniel says

    September 30, 2017 at 5:36 am

    Hello,
    I have a problem with a customer. After I sanded and put varnish on the floor it looked very good.
    After a few weeks…was bad.
    I think it was cleaned with too much water on it.
    I need some advice as he considers that I have done a bad job.

    Reply

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