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Wood furniture is no small investment. In covering the expense, we are comforted knowing that what we are buying can last a lifetime or longer. For it to last, however, a modest degree of care is required. Polishing the wood offers two benefits: It adds shine to the wood surface, and it also prevents the wood from drying out and becoming brittle. Of course, you can buy a polish online or at the local hardware store, but homemade furniture polish is so easy to make that you might consider spending your money not on polish, but on more furniture.
Before You Begin
Don’t grab the spray just yet. Before you polish, check the wood for any water marks; these often appear as white spots or rings from where a hot plate or a cool glass sat on its surface. Remove water stains from the wood before polishing it.
Homemade Furniture Polish Recipes
Unscented Furniture Polish
Oil (preferably pomace or jojoba)
White vinegar
Mix either pomace or jojoba oil, both of which are inexpensive, non-food-grade oils that are nearly colorless and have long shelf lives, with white vinegar. A ratio of around ¼ cup of oil to a few drops of vinegar is standard, but you can tweak it to achieve the consistency you desire.
The more oil you add, the more lubricating the polish will be. Using too much oil can leave the polish a bit oily to the touch. Increasing the amount of vinegar gives the final product a sharper scent and improves its cleaning ability.
Lemon Furniture Polish
Lemon oil
Fresh lemon juice
Oil (preferably pomace or jojoba)
Make a small amount of scented polish using 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 or 3 drops of lemon oil, and 2 or 3 drops of oil (again, we suggest pomace or jojoba oil for their long shelf lives and colorlessness). Combine the ingredients well to make a homemade furniture polish that leaves a lingering citrus scent.
How to Apply Homemade Furniture Polish
Spray a microfiber cloth (or the wood itself) with homemade furniture polish. Use the moistened cloth to rub the wood, always in the direction of the grain. You should see the furniture start to regain its luster almost immediately. So as not to miss a spot, be certain to rub the polish thoroughly into any intricately carved areas. When you’re done polishing, leave the wood to air dry.
