Perhaps you've just purchased new wood floors or furniture, or your home's wood surfaces aren't looking their best. For every situation, you'll need to know what treatment your wood needs.
Follow these simple tips to test your wood, protect it from harm, and treat minor scratches and marks. Then visit our everyday care page for advice on easy daily maintenance.
Test First
Before cleaning hardwood floors with any product, it is recommended to test the durability of the wood's finish:
- First wash a small, hidden area of your wood flooring with the product.
- If the finish doesn't change in appearance, proceed to clean according to package directions.
- If the finish does change in appearance, consult a wood care professional.
Protect Wood Flooring and Furniture
Everyday household items can harm your wood's health. In caring for wood floors and furniture, be sure to protect them from these substances:
Alcohol — Found in perfume, cologne, wine, beer, liquor and many medicines
Acetone — Found in nail polish remover and paint thinner
Solvents, Acids and Alkaline Chemicals — Found in many cleaning substances
Even the most careful family may sometimes spill a harmful substance on wood flooring or furniture. No need to worry — every problem has a solution. Check our Problems and Solutions guide.
When and How to Use Furniture Polish
Use furniture polish as needed, especially when wood appears dull.
Be careful not to let any furniture polish drip onto your wood floors. It will leave a residue that will make the floor dangerously slippery and will be difficult to remove.
It is generally best to apply the polish to a soft cloth instead of applying the polish directly to furniture. Make sure to spread the polish evenly.
Using a soft cloth, first clean the wood furniture evenly with Murphy® Oil Soap, then follow with a polish.
Which Polish to Use
Furniture polish comes in three varieties: paste wax, liquid polish and aerosols. Which is best for you?
Furniture cleaners are designed to:
- remove dust and stains from wood surfaces
- produce shine
- provide protection against water spots
- reduce wax build-up with continued use
Paste
A good quality furniture paste wax will fill scratches and give you the most long lasting protection. However, it is the most difficult to apply. Paste wax must be carefully rubbed on, allowed to dry and then buffed off until the wax shines.
Liquid
Liquid polishes just need be rubbed on until dry to the touch. However, it's a good idea to polish more frequently when using liquid polishes, because they evaporate more quickly than pastes. For maximum protection, be sure to follow label instructions about frequency of use. Liquid furniture polish comes in two forms, a clear liquid or a milky liquid. Milky products remove oil-soluble dirt and water-soluble dirt (sugars and starches), while the clear products only remove oil-soluble dirt. Use quarterly or semi-annually.
Aerosol
Using aerosols allows quick and convenient cleaning. Some aerosol polishes contain silicone, which can make the surface slippery and provides shine. Keep in mind, however, that it may be difficult to remove silicone, and new finishes applied over silicone may bead up and resist adhesion.
Treat Minor Flaws on Wood Floors and Furniture
You can always throw a placemat or area rug over that ugly wood scratch or stain, but you can also fix it. Ask a wood-care professional for assistance, or for a quick fix, visit a local supermarket or hardware store to pick up a scratch-cover liquid, wax stick, or felt-tip touch-up pen. Be sure to follow instructions for use.
