How to Easily clean Wood with just 2 ingredients

77 Comments

1. Oh I have that in my kitchen! So good to know Mary, Thank you for sharing your recipe with us. The wood looks so much better and I can´t believe it just takes these two yummy ingredients!

   1. Right? I was flabbergasted when I first tried it Katrin. So easy to make and it really works.

2. My mom always uses olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to polish her pieces and they look amazing. Sadly we don’t have a lemon tree and I don’t always have lemons, so I’ll definitely be trying your recipe Mary. Nothing cuts through grime quite like vinegar 😉

   1. It’s the perfect combination Michelle. And afterwards the furniture looks almost brand new.

3. The olive oil works a bit like mineral,oil, while the vinegar helps clean things up. Olive oil is pricey here in the states (I imagine in Greece it’s more affordable) so I try to stick with mineral oil. Lemon works well too if vinegar isn’t handy.
   We have a little boat like that too. )
   xxx

   1. Doreen you are absolutely right about the price of olive oil in the States. And don’t get me started on Feta cheese. But I digress, mineral oil would be a great substitute for the wood, although not for a salad! 😉

4. I’ve been using olive oil for a few years now and happy with that. I love the way the wood looks in your pictures so may try your combo the next time for cleaning the wood in my house. Thanks for the great idea that I pinned.

   1. Thank you Nancy. The vinegar really helps to cut the dirt and grime.

5. Isn’t it odd: a century ago it was still normal to use the things one had in the kitchen for cleaning etc. Then, all of a sudden, after the war, those “simple” and “normal” things weren’t any good anymore. Thank you for sharing, dear Mary! We’ve lost touch with those basics, with the simple things of life. Isn’t that sad?

   1. Your comment is so true and goes to the heart of the matter Marjan. We have been brainwashed into thinking chemicals are better.

6. Love your polishing mix, Mary, I have been using the same for years with a little bit of lemon juice squeezed in for good measure. Much better than all those chemicals. And congrats on your feature!! Clearly, they have very good taste!

   1. Thanks so much Kim. I am really happy with it and it was such an easy solution.

7. I’ve always used Murphy’s Oil Soap but I’m anxious to try you less expensive version. Thanks for the tip, Mary! Pinned to refer back to.

   1. Anything that can save us money is a winner in my book! Let me know what you think.

8. I do use white cleaning vinegar for mopping so I will need to add this to my cleaning routine. It really does rejuvenate the wood doesn’t it?

   1. I also use vinegar for mopping even if it smells funny. Yes it does because of the oil.

9. I love that day bed, Mary. What a great tip! I will be sure to try this on the next piece I have to clean!

   1. I know you will love it when you try it. The transformation is dramatic.

10. I am really impressed! I’m going to try it b/c I have something right now that needs cleaning. In fact, it’s in my latest post, so when you go to look at it…guess which piece I’m talking about. Now how’s that for a hard quiz?? I can’t believe you haven’t shared your cleaning recipe yet. But it looks like that wood just soaks it right up.
    Do you use this recipe if you’re planning on painting something too?

    1. If you want to clean it I guess you can use it before but wait a few days before painting. The wood should have some time to soak in the oil.

11. Mary, I never would have thought of the vinegar. Maybe the olive oil but never the vinegar. It looks great and makes all sorts of sense.
    Thanks for coming by the Gypsy. I do love your comments — but I am quite serious when I say that art fair was the worst ever. I’ve seen things in high school gyms by moms and students that are infinitely better!

    1. The vinegar really cleans the wood and combined with the oil it adds moisture to the wood. Just like a salad dressing.
       I hope you find some nicer art fairs to get the bad taste out of your mouth. I hope that is an appropriate phrase, don’t want to get myself into trouble.

12. This is perfect for my doors that are so dirty from all the work we have been doing for my room above the garage.
    Thanks for this recipe! I read your post a few times and did not see what kind of vinegar. cider? Maria

    1. You can use any type at all. I usually use wine or apple cider.

13. I am always on the look for eco ways to handle things and your recipe for cleaning furniture sounds so good. I have both ingredients so I will be trying it for sure with some dirty wood I have here.

    1. Great and you will remember who told you. I am really glad I stumbled onto this one Pili.

14. I use the same thing and it is fabulous and green!

    1. Great minds think alike Carol!

15. This method is great for wooden cutting boards and butcher blocks! Not only is it effective, but vinegar and olive oil, common:) totally matching the culinary theme.

    1. Clean the board and then chop the salad on it. 🙂

16. Excellent tip, pinning!

    1. And it really work!

17. Does it have to olive oil and did you use apple cider or white vinegar? Thanks!

    1. I’ve never used anything but olive oil but I think you can also use mineral oil. As for the vinegar I have used apple cider and wine. Any color will do. I hope you enjoy it.

18. Well that looks like it will be amazingly handy for all the sad cast off things I bring home and re-purpose!! Thanks for the tip!

    1. You are very welcome and it is Green too!

19. First off, this is amazing! You brought out the beauty in the wood and it’s so clean and shiny! I have a table that needs this treatment and I’m excited to try it! Thanks.
    Second, congrats on being named one of the top 100 Upcycling Blogs! You are number 1 in my book, but it’s so cool that you are recognized by someone other than me! LOL
    Whoo Hoo!

    1. Thanks so much Nikki. Let me know how you like the “salad dressing”. And dear friend your recognition is so much more important than anything else.

20. Mary,
    Such a simple idea ~ thank you! I do hate buying all these cleaners when I know there must be an easier way. And, now I have it! Will repost to my FB page to share with others. 🙂 We have a TON of wood in our new “abode” so will have to try this mixture on all our cabinets.
    Thank you,
    Barb 🙂

    1. Oh I am so happy to hear that Barbara.. Let me know what you think after you try it out.

21. Thanks for the advice. It seems that the vinegar and oil mixture both cleans and nourishes the wood, bringing out the natural luster. Especially old, dry wood would benefit from cleaning with this mixture. Great tip!
    Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi

    1. I tried it out on an old secretary and the result was that it looked 20 years younger. If only they made a face cream like that. haha!

22. Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    What a great mixture and it seems to work wonderfuly!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    1. I hope you get a chance to try it.

23. When I was growing up polishing the furniture was a regular thing. We used lemon oil, but I like this idea just as well, plus I don’t have to make room for another bottle! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂

    1. Yes it is thrifty and green.

24. Love this! I love all natural, non-chemical cleaners, and this one is so simple. Thanks for the great tip!

    1. Thank you for dropping by Amy!

25. Wow that cleaner does make a difference. It does brighten things up. I have been wanting to do something to the doors, and cabinets in the guest bath in our house until I decide whether I am going to paint them or what. Most of them haven’t even been stained I don’t think, if so they used a really light color. But they just look so dull I will have to give your recipe a try. Maybe just brightening them up will do the trick and I won’t have to do anything else. We are just so tired of all the remodeling of the house, and just can’t get motivated to finish the other few rooms. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
    Congratulates on making it on the list to Feedspot! That is awesome!

    1. Linda I really hope it works. Let me know. As you can see from that sleigh bed it worked wonders in a matter of minutes.

26. Mary, I had no idea those two ingredients together could do such beautiful things to a piece of wood, makes sense though. Thanks for sharing your tip! And congratulations on your feature Mary, very well deserved!!

    1. Thank you so much dear friend. We are always looking for ways to live a greener, thriftier life and this is my way. The best part is that it is so much better than the chemicals.

27. Olive oil I expected – but vinegar? That’s such a valuable tip, Mary! Do you think I could also use that on my (unfinished) wood desk?
    Enjoy your weekend!
    *Maisy

    1. I don’t see why not Maisy. The wood I am showing above has not been finished. It will give life to the wood because it does get dry after a while.

28. Really?? That’s all it needs??
    That’s amazing—of course I’ll never hear the end of it when my husband discovers this because he thinks olive oil is the end all!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    1. It really is Jodie. We harvest our own olives and have olive oil each year so it really is great and cures almost everything (if you believe the little old Greek grandmas)!

29. OMG Mary! I did not know this recipe… oil and vinegar??!! It gives so much life to the wood !!! I will try this immediately 🙂

    1. And its good for the Greek salad too! 😉

30. You are right, I was thinking, salad dressing! Amazing that something so simple brings such beauty to the wood. Do you need to really rub it until it is dry so the oil doesn’t come off on cloth that brushes up against it? Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!

    1. Chloe I only add as much as needed. Usually the wood is so dry it just soak it up. But if it is too much you can wipe it off. Leave it for a bit and it will soak up the oil.

31. Well, that is certainly worth knowing, thanks Mary. Pinning so I never forget!
    Congrats on the top 100 listing too, you deserve it with all your brilliant ideas.

    1. Thank you so much sweet friend. That was quite a surprise for me.

32. Thank you for linking up at The Blogger’s Pit Stop Link Party. I’m sharing your link on social media.
    Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi

    1. Thanks so much Carol.

33. I”m finding this recipe very appealing. I have my parents very old radio, 78 record player combo, cabinet. I’m 72, and remember this cabinet as new!
    Extremely bad shape, with peeling stain. Question: If I tried this recipe to renew, and then decided to paint this piece, after the olive oil/vinegar solution is used, would the piece be too oily? Or does the recipe continue to rub cleanly off of the wooden project? Also, is there and odor of oil oil/vinegar, to the piece? Thanks for such great information!

    1. Jan I would renew with this mixture and then wait a few days before trying to paint it. Wait till you can rub a piece of cloth on it and nothing comes off. It will soak into the wood. There is no smell after it has dried.
       Good luck and I hope all goes well with the restoration of this fantastic cabinet.

34. Great tip, Mary! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm! Pinned!

    1. Thank you Cecilia.

35. Wow Mary I must try this it looks great even if it is salad dressing

    1. Haha and much more Amber!

36. Thank you so much for linking up to The Gathering Place. You are my feature this week!

    1. Thanks so much Jessica! It is always an honor.

37. I am all about all-natural cleaners. This is such a great tip. haha…salad dressing. lol But seriously, how did I never think of this?

    1. I have also heard that mayonnaise does the same thing. But what is mayo if not oil and vinegar along with some other stuff.

38. Great tip Mary! And you may have a salad also on the side after all this work! Thanks so much for sharing!

    1. Lets not forget the feta and olives! 😉

39. That method could be applied to any wood particularly on cutting boards which is great. Awesome tips.

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