Cleaning Your Solid Wood Furniture

There are many misconceptions about how to maintain your solid wood furniture and this is not helped by some of the advertising for household cleaning products. Here's a few tips to keep your furniture looking good.

Dust frequently with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. Clean the surface by rubbing in the direction of the grain.
Polish HIGH SHEEN FINISHES every six months, using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Always rub in the direction of the grain.

DO NOT polish LOW SHEEN FINISHES (flat or satin). Wash these finishes with a mild liquid hand soap mixed with water - a spray bottle is helpful. Use a soft cotton or flannel cloth to thoroughly dry the surface immediately, always wiping in the direction of the grain.
Of the three types of furniture care products, we recommend only POLISHES.
Polishes contain detergents, emulsifiers and mineral oil. Detergents clean dirt from furniture, emulsifiers give it body to clean and last longer, mineral oil is left behind as a barrier to dirt and moisture.

We strongly suggest you AVOID silicone cleaners and waxes.
Silicone seeps into even the highest-quality finishes, creating a barrier that repels stain and lacquer. This makes it virtually impossible to re-finish or touch-up furniture, or maintain consistency in the finish shine.
The regular use of waxes may result in a build-up of wax film, which can actually attract dirt, smoke and other pollutants in the air, resulting in smudges and streaks. Many waxes also contain grit which can permanently damage furniture surfaces if used improperly.