Spring Cleaning - Treating your Wood Items, Occasional Series #3

This time I thought I would give a few hints on how to treat your wood furniture.  My husband and I collect Mission and Arts and Crafts furniture.  Much of it has dulled over time, but the grain of the wood is lovely if you can get it shiny again.  We swear by both these items.

Before I begin polishing I take off the surface dust.  I use my Lemongrass Dusting Cloths for this step.

Wood Cleaner and Polisher

Polish up your older dull furniture with this mixture and bring it back to life. With all wood cleaners always test a small discrete area before you begin to determine if the fish will react to the cleaner.  You should do this whether you make the cleaner yourself or not.

1 Tbls. Fresh raspberry leaves

1 cup boiling water

½ cup lemon herbal vinegar

¼ cup lemon juice

Steep the raspberry leaves in the boiling water for 20 minutes.  Strain.  In a plastic storage bottle with a tight fitting lid combine the infusion, the lemon vinegar and the lemon juice.  Shake well.  Moisten a soft cloth with the solution and gently rub the wood in a circular motion that is not against the grain and loose and remove the dirt.  Use a second cloth damped with plain water to remove the residue.  Finish with a dry lint-free towel.

Herbal Wood Polish

¼ cup linseed oil

3 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil

Combine oils in a bowl.  Apply a light layer of polish to the wood with a brush or cloth.  Rub into wood with a soft cloth, using a circular motion.  Wipe again with a dry cloth to buff up the wood.