How to Clean Cherry Wood Furniture
- 1). Follow the furniture manufacturer's instructions for specific care and cleaning instructions. Consult these directions first, since they will apply to your exact type of wood and finish.
- 2). Dust your cherry furniture once a week with a soft cloth. Make sure you lift items off the furniture's surface instead of sliding them, as sliding them may scratch the wood.
- 3). Use a non-alkaline soap and a soft cloth to gently remove the existing wax. Then re-wax the furniture with a paste wax. Repeat this process once or twice a year for the life of the furniture to keep it looking its best.
- 4). Treat scratches in your cherry wood by using a reddish shoe polish that matches the color of the cherry. (Always test the polish in an inconspicuous place before you apply it.) If you are unable to find a suitable shoe polish, work a small amount of iodine into the wood using a Q-tip or cotton swab. Apply furniture wax to the area once you are finished.
- 5). Repair water marks by placing a damp towel over the area and ironing it on a warm temperature setting. Alternatively, you may rub white toothpaste into the grain of the wood where the ring has formed. Wipe off excess toothpaste and reapply wax. Mayonnaise has a similar effect.
- 6). Wipe white marks with a mixture of cigarette ash and lemon juice. You may also rub creamy peanut butter into the area, as this helps replenish the oil in the wood and eliminates the stain.
- 7). Clean fresh paint stains with water immediately. For dried paint, try chipping it off with a putty knife.
- 8). Remove gum by rubbing the area with an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth. Once the gum has hardened, use a putty knife to scrape it off.
- 9). Wipe milk and alcohol stains with a cloth dipped in ammonia. Reapply wax.
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