Bea, and anyone else...Dusting/Think I Wrecked my Furniture Question
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Bea, and anyone else...Dusting/Think I Wrecked my Furniture Question
Bea, I figured you might know this answer, but anyone else who does, please help me!!
Eleven years ago we bought some good quality solid cherry wood bedroom furniture. For four years I dusted that furniture regularly with Endust or Pledge. Then when we bought some good quality solid cherry wood living room end tables, the lady at the store said to only use a water dampened cloth on them to dust. So, I began dusting all my furniture that way and have never used Pledge or Endust since. So, fast forward several years and now I've had a feather duster for about a year. The duster works great on all my furniture except the bedroom furniture that used to be dusted with the Pledge or Endust. Whenever I try to dust that furniture with the feather duster, I can FEEL the duster having trouble going over the wood. It sort of sticks. And the dust just gets in a big, ugly, white pile on the wood. The duster does NOT pick it up, or scatter it, or anything. It just DRAGS the dust in that ugly white line.
SO. My theory is that those four years of using product on the wood has caused a build up? I mean, wouldn't you think dust would at least SCATTER?? Nope, it draaaaaaags. Do you think build up is the problem? If so, how do I fix it? Using my hand, the furniture feels perfectly smooth and easy to run my hand over. It's just the feather duster, and even the Swiffer cloths kind of stick and drag the dust into big while piles. I don't want to further wreck the furniture, but I'd prefer to be able to quickly dust without going to so much trouble. Any advice??? Thanks!
Interesting problem. I'll be interested in seeing the replies.
I believe there are products which can safely clean a buildup of furniture polish on good wood furniture, and I will do some checking when I get home tonight. I have one of those Consumer Reports bonus books of how to clean absolutely everything.
Obviously, this is not something you need to resolve on an emergency basis.
Oh, and I don't think you wrecked your furniture. I think you just got a furniture polish buildup on top of the wood. Which I think can be solved without harm.
Check with the furniture manufacturer. I would also try a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture of vinegar and water in a spot that is not noticeable.
and throw out your endust and pledge!!!
If the vinegar doesn't cut through the gunk, you might need something stronger. Try Murphy's Oil Soap according to the directions on the bottle. If that doesn't work, equal parts of boiled linseed oil, turpentine and vinegar should work well. After you remove all the old build-up, rub some lemon or orange oil into the wood well. Then lightly spray equal parts of white vinegar and warm water on the furniture and polish.
Here's what I found at this site:
http://experts.about.com/q/2505/3198333.htm
Expert:gloria
Date:10/7/2003
Subject:waxy buildup on furniture
Question
I've been trying to get rid of a waxy buildup on some furniture I inherited from my mother. It's a dark wood...I think mahogany. I know years ago she used to polish her furniture with the old paste wax. Whatever this is, I can't seem to get it off. I've tried furniture cleaner & other waxes. It just looks dull & streaky. Can you help, please?
Answer
Hi Eileen,
Here are two things you can do to remove the buildup, they both work very well.
To clean it, try using mineral spirits or naphtha as your cleaning agent. Using a soft rag or #0000 steel wool, this is good for getting rid of a waxy build up. A word of caution though, if your finish has softened all the way through to the wood, this process could leave you with bare wood. If your finish has gotten that bad to start with, there isn't anything else you can do to reverse it other than stripping and refinishing anyway.
OR
Furniture Polish Buildup Remover
1 part water
1 part white vinegar
Moisten a soft cloth with this mixture. Wring the cloth out, and gently rub over the surface. Dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth. It may take some elbow grease if there is a heavy buildup.
My "Cleaning Everything" book says "Don't 'Pledge" or polish your funiture to deth. If it needs cleaning, wash it with an oil soap mae for wood, such as Murphy's - that's what removes fingerprints, grease and flyspecks. Then buff it dry with a terry towel to bring out the luster on the forty coats of polish already on it."
Reading these and the posts above, I would first try the vinegar solution - and always, always, try in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn't harm the finish.
If that doesn't work, then I'd try the Murphy's.
Finally, if all else fails, I would try the mixture Bea recommends.
But, how about going to a furniture refinisher - some place that refinishes and restores antiques, and seeing if they will give advice.
Thank you all for the advice and responses!! This weekend I shall give the vinegar a try. I don't dare attempt it unless I have a lot of time and Daddy is home to tend to the kiddos.
Please share your results. I am very curious.
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