There is nothing fresher or brighter than white bedroom furniture. Whether you are going for an antique French boudoir or a contemporary Scandi feel, your white wood furniture is the perfect way to tie your look together. But, as with anything white, keeping it clean can be a challenge. Let’s take a look at the best way to maintain your white furniture so that it keeps the same impact for longer. This guide has been provided by the experts at Bear Brothers Cleaning.
Whether you are going for an antique French boudoir or a contemporary Scandi feel, your white wood furniture is the perfect way of tying your look together. But, as with anything white, keeping it clean can be a challenge. Let’s take a look at the best way of maintaining your white furniture so that it keeps the same impact for longer.
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Regular cleaning
It is always easier to maintain than repair, and the same goes when you clean white wood furniture. Getting into a regular cleaning schedule will prevent stains from appearing and will help your furniture stay bright white.
Dusting
Before you do any other cleaning, you need to do some dusting. Unfortunately, dust shows up very well on white wood furniture so you will need to dust it at least on a weekly basis. Dusting before washing will help to prevent the dust particles from being forced farther into the wood grain.
Use a dry soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth or lint-free cloth to dust your furniture. Try to avoid using any products such as furniture polish as this could damage the finish. Gently wipe using circular motions to remove the dust.
Washing
You don’t need expensive cleaning products to clean white wood furniture. A simple cleaning solution of water mixed with a couple of squirts of dish soap will be enough to remove dirt and grime. Dip a soft cloth into your solution but don’t allow it to get soaking wet. Too much moisture will absorb into the wood and could damage it. It is better to use a smaller amount of solution and have to go over the surface a second time than risk getting it too wet.
Again, use gentle circular motions to wipe down the surface of your white wood furniture. If there are any spots where there is dried-on dirt, you can go over these a little more but try to avoid scrubbing too much so that you don’t scratch the surface.
Next, you need to remove the soapy residue using a damp cloth. Make sure to remove all of the soap so that it doesn’t damage the surface.
Finally, dry the furniture with a soft towel. Drying is important because you should aim to avoid moisture sitting on the wood as much as possible.
Stubborn stains
We’ve covered general cleaning methods for your white wood furniture but what if you have a stubborn stain? There are some tried and true methods that you can use to get rid of the most common stains. With the help of The Sparkle Gang here are a few tips.
Pen
It is all too easy to get pen marks on a surface and when it’s white, it can seem like it is instantly ruined. But it can be possible to get pen marks out and the key is alcohol (not the drinking kind!). Rubbing alcohol is your best bet but, failing that, you can use hairspray.
It is always a good idea to test this method on an inconspicuous spot before you tackle the stain just in case it reacts with the wood surface.
Once you have done that, put a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton pad or spray a small amount of hairspray directly onto the stain. Then gently wipe in circular motions. You may need to go back over it several times but you should see the pen stain start to lift.
Once you have removed the stain, clean the area with soapy water, rinse with a damp cloth, and dry.
Grease stains
Grease stains can easily spoil the look of white wood furniture and they are difficult to remove because the grease doesn’t dissolve in water.
One method of removing grease stains is to go for the baking soda. It absorbs excess oil and helps to lift the stain out of the wood grain. You could either mix some powdered baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste or you could use baking soda-based toothpaste.
Either way, apply the paste to the grease stain and then gently scrub it with a small soft-bristled brush (you could use a toothbrush).
Afterwards, go back in and wash the area with soapy water before drying.
Another solution for grease stains is white wine vinegar. The acid in the vinegar can help to break down grease deposits. Make sure not to use apple cider vinegar as this can leave a dark stain on your white wood furniture. And you should test the vinegar in a small inconspicuous area to check that it won’t damage the surface.
Make a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray it on the stain and wait a couple of minutes for it to soak in. Then gently rub the area with a soft cloth. You may need to repeat the process a few times.
Next, use warm water mixed with a little dish soap to wash the stain. The surfactants in the soap will help to remove the loose grease. Then rinse and gently dry.
Yellowing
Some white wood furniture can go yellow if left in direct sunlight or if it is exposed to cigarette smoke, cooking residue, or grease. These are tough stains to remove but you can try the same methods as you would for grease stains.
If these don’t work, trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a powerful alkaline cleaner. You should mix 1/4 cup of TSP with 1 gallon of water and have another bucket of warm water to hand. Use a sponge to spot-clean the stained area with the TSP solution before immediately rinsing it with the warm water.
You should be very careful when using TSP as it is so powerful. Always use gloves and eye goggles, cover your other furniture and flooring with plastic sheeting, and remove any plants from the room. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
As a last resort, you may need to repaint your white furniture to restore its former glory.
The bottom line
White furniture can help your bedroom feel light, airy, and contemporary. Making sure to clean it regularly, spot clean as soon as you spot a spill or mark, and using the right methods to remove stains can all help to improve its longevity and keep it feeling fresh for longer.
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