How to Easily clean Wood with just 2 ingredients
For about four years now I have been cleaning my wood furniture with a very…
But I have never really shared it with all of you, not properly. Today I am going to correct that and show you how to easily clean wood with just 2 ingredients. A great way to upcycle items!
Ingredients:
One part vinegar
The how to:
Below you can see a section of a wooden miniature sailboat. This is before I added the mixture.
A cleaner and rejuvenator, and an easy way to upcycle your wooden items all in one small jar. Using the most humble ingredients!
And speaking of upcycling this little blog has been included in the Top 100 Upcycling Blogs list compiled by Feedspot! I am truly humbled to be in such great company. Go check it out and discover some new blogs!
Have you ever used this “salad dressing” method or do you use other natural products to clean your wood?
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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!
Right? I was flabbergasted when I first tried it Katrin. So easy to make and it really works.
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 😉
It’s the perfect combination Michelle. And afterwards the furniture looks almost brand new.
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
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! 😉
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.
Thank you Nancy. The vinegar really helps to cut the dirt and grime.
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?
Your comment is so true and goes to the heart of the matter Marjan. We have been brainwashed into thinking chemicals are better.
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!
Thanks so much Kim. I am really happy with it and it was such an easy solution.
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.
Anything that can save us money is a winner in my book! Let me know what you think.
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?
I also use vinegar for mopping even if it smells funny. Yes it does because of the oil.
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!
I know you will love it when you try it. The transformation is dramatic.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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
You can use any type at all. I usually use wine or apple cider.
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.
Great and you will remember who told you. I am really glad I stumbled onto this one Pili.
I use the same thing and it is fabulous and green!
Great minds think alike Carol!
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.
Clean the board and then chop the salad on it. 🙂
Excellent tip, pinning!
And it really work!
Does it have to olive oil and did you use apple cider or white vinegar? Thanks!
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.
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!
You are very welcome and it is Green too!
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!
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.
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 🙂
Oh I am so happy to hear that Barbara.. Let me know what you think after you try it out.