A nicely built wood table is a precious addition to any home, but keeping it pristine can be frustrating. Various buildups like dust, oil, dirt, and moisture can make the surface dingy and dull. Knowing how to polish a wood table is important to restore its shine.
The wood table needs regular cleaning and polishing to keep the surface in good condition. Make sure to follow this complete guide to keep your wood table spick and span.
Table of Contents
Regular Cleaning Method for Wood Table
Before you polish the wood, make sure to clean it thoroughly. This step is useful to prevent dust, dirt, and moisture from seeping into the surface as you polish the wood. However, you can also treat this step as a regular cleaning method. It reduces the buildups and keeps your wood table surface in good condition for as long as possible.
Start by removing the dust, dirt, and other particles on the surface level. Use dusting tools that will lift the particles instead of just making them fly everywhere. A high-quality feather duster and soft, dry fabric work well together in removing dust.
Mix a mild detergent with warm water to clean sticky spots. Make sure your fabric is lint-free before you use it to wipe the spots off the table. Dry the water with a soft, clean cloth before you continue to the next steps.
Polishing Wood Table with Furniture Wax
Furniture paste wax is a common product for the polishing table. This product protects the finishing material the table manufacturer applies on the surface. Furniture wax gives long-term protection to your table, but the wrong application can cause stains or streaks.
Here is how to polish a wood table with furniture wax.
1. Prepare the Correct Tools
Aside from the paste wax, prepare a 100-percent cotton fabric, a soft cloth, and a wool duster. For a more powerful waxing process, provide a power drill to attach your soft cloth.
2. Perform the Basic Waxing
Take a spoonful of wax (or as much as the manufacturer suggests) and place it on the center of the cotton fabric. Wrap the wax with the fabric and knead it before polishing the table. Work on the small surface first until it becomes dull, and then move to the next area. Use a soft cloth to wipe off the excess wax. Spend around at least 10 to 15 minutes on one spot.
3. Buff the Wax Coat
Make your furniture wax stick better with the buffing process. Place the wax on your soft cloth and attach it to the end of the power drill. Start the buffing process one small surface area at a time, just like the basic waxing. Always wipe off the excess wax during the process.
4. Finish the Process
Once your table is shiny and protected, use your wool duster to lightly dust the surface and remove any residual particles. Avoid spraying harsh chemicals, even the ones for furniture, onto the surface to keep the wax from breaking.
Polishing the table should be a regular occurrence. Make sure you repeat the process whenever your table looks dull.
Polishing Wood Table with Homemade Polish
Want to use something natural and homemade? Try using a mixture of white vinegar and virgin olive oil. This natural polishing mixture is safe for your table and provides natural shine, thanks to the astringent quality of the vinegar.
Here is how to polish a wood table with a homemade, natural mixture of vinegar and olive oil.
A. Make the Polishing Mixture
Mix one part of distilled white vinegar with three parts of virgin olive oil (adjust the volume with the size of the table). Stir until they are mixed perfectly. If you don’t have or use vinegar, try mixing one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice with two parts of virgin olive oil.
B. Apply with Microfiber Fabric
Apply the solution to microfiber fabric and start polishing your wooden table. Use the circular wiping method and focus on a small surface first until it looks shiny. Move to the next small area and repeat until you cover the entire table (wipe away any excess).
C. Repeat the Procedure
Once you finish the entire surface, repeat the process using the same solution but with a new, dry microfiber fabric. Again, wipe off any excess. Make sure your table is completely dry before you put anything on it.
While this method is natural and provides a nice sheen, we don’t recommend it on an old table that needs restoration. The solution can ruin the unprotected parts of the old wood surface.
Tips to Protect Wood Table
Finished with waxing? Make sure you protect the table as best as you can! Here are several tips to protect the wood table before the next polishing session.
1. Use Coasters, Mats, and Felt Pads
Use as many protective layers as possible to protect the surface from spills, scratches, and stains. There are many coasters, mats, and felt pads with beautiful designs, so you can choose the ones that match your interior. Adding coasters and mats underneath the plates and cups during a dinner party, for example, can improve the sophistication level too.
2. Always Clean Quickly
Whenever you see spills, splashes, and crumbs landing on the table, don’t wait to clean them. Wipe or pick them up immediately. The longer you let them stay on the table, the easier for them to get stuck or absorbed.
3. Keep the Table Away from Extreme Heat
When placing a wood table (or any other wood furniture items), consider any heat sources nearby. Make sure to keep it away from radiators, heaters, direct sunlight, and other constant heat sources. The heat can warp the wood, cause a crack, and reduce the shine.
4. Always Follow the Wood Grains
Whenever you polish or just wipe something off the wood table, make sure to follow the grains. This way, you reduce the risk of scratches while making the polishing method more effective.
If you follow this guide, your wood table will always look like a newly purchased furniture item. Want to make your table even shinier? Buy Indonesian furniture by Postteakfurniture, and learn how to polish wood tables to keep your new purchase intact and beautiful as long as possible.
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