--- title: "How to Polish Wood Furniture" description: "Wood furniture can last for decades if it's cared for properly. Regular polishing can conceal scratches and protect the wood from dust and spills." date: "2026-11-06" modified: "2026-11-06" authors: - name: "Tony Carrick" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/diy/how-to-polish-wood-furniture/" categories: - "DIY" - "Furniture & Design" tags: - "cleaning" - "furniture" - "How To" --- # How to Polish Wood Furniture ![Person wearing yellow rubber glove uses blue microfiber cloth to rub polish on a wood table.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* ## Key Takeaways - Choose a furniture polish that is compatible with your furniture’s finish - Begin your wood polishing job by creating a clean, dust-free surface - Use the right buffing technique to achieve a beautiful finish If you want to maintain the beautiful, natural look of your wood furniture, take the time to polish it. A good polishing restores the wood’s appearance, bringing out the beauty of the wood grain while helping to conceal minor scratches. Wood polish can also create a protective barrier that repels dust while shielding the finish and wood from spills. Of course, polishing only protects and prolongs the life of your [wood furniture]() if you use the right type of polish and application technique. Use the wrong polish or apply it incorrectly and you can end up with unsightly buildup, streaks, and even permanent damage. We sought expert guidance from Saadet Turlu, founder of [Wow by AlpC](), a Sheridan, Wyoming-based company that specializes in high-end solid wood furniture. ## Types of Wood Polish ![Materials needed to polish furniture, including a bottle of wax polish.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* There are several options when it comes to choosing a polish—or you can [make your own furniture polish](). Though liquid varieties are easy to apply, wax-based products offer more staying power. And while there are three main types of polish, these categories often overlap as an emulsion can contain oil, silicone, or wax: - **Wax-based:** Paste wax contains beeswax, carnauba wax, or microcrystalline wax. These products leave a buffable sheen that lasts a long time. A wax finish requires more buffing effort and can leave a build up that collects in carved areas. Plus, it’s only suitable for finishes that are compatible with wax. For example, Turlu says, “Paste waxes (like carnauba) are excellent for creating a protective sheen over traditional lacquer or shellac finishes.” - **Oil-based:** Oil-based polishes contain mineral oil, silicone oil, or a combination of oils to make a finish temporarily look richer and minor scratches less noticeable. Some formulas can leave an oily film and they generally don’t last as long as other polishes. - **Emulsion polish:** An emulsion polish mixes water with oils, waxes, and silicones, and it has a milky-white appearance. It’s easy to apply, typically only requiring spraying and wiping. Since it uses both water and a solvent, it also acts as a cleaner, removing dust and cutting through greasy residue. Just don’t expect the same staying power and durability of wax-based polishes. While convenient, Turlu recommends avoiding spray polishes. “Spray polishes serve essentially as a temporary dust-removal aid,” he says. “Generally, they should be avoided for fine furniture.” - ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Microfiber cloths]() - [Furniture polish]() ## How to Polish Wood Furniture While the right polish is key to getting good results when polishing wood furniture, so too is using the right technique. ### Step 1: Clear the area. Remove all objects from the furniture, including lamps, objects and any other decor, so you can apply the polish evenly over the entire piece. You also don’t want these objects to end up with polish residue on them. ### Step 2: Dust the furniture. - ![Woman wearing rubber glove uses a Q-tip to remove dust around a spindle.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* - ![Woman wearing rubber gloves uses a tack cloth to remove dust from a wood end table.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* [][][] Wipe the area down with a dry microfiber cloth or tack cloth to remove any loose dust. Use a Q-tip to clean dust out of crevices around trim and furniture legs. If there is grime or oily fingerprints, use a barely damp cloth to clean thoroughly. If the piece is especially dirty, you may need to conduct a more thorough [cleaning]() before proceeding. ### Step 3: Test the polish in an inconspicuous area. Not all polish is safe for all wood finishes, and you can’t always trust the list of compatible finishes listed on the bottle. Before diving in, test the polish on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it reacts well with the wood finish. An underside area of the furniture or a corner works well. ### Step 4: Apply the polish. Never spray wood polish directly onto the wood. Doing so can create streaks or puddling on the furniture surface while also creating overspray that can land on the floor or surrounding furnishings. Instead, apply a small amount of polish to a soft, lint-free microfiber towel. “Apply the polish very sparingly,” Turlu says. “Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain to ensure the product penetrates the pores evenly.” Apply sparingly. Too much polish can leave a sticky film on the wood surface. ### Step 5: Buff to a shine. ![Woman uses a buffing attachment on a drill to buff furniture.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Buffing the piece is key to getting an even, attractive finish. Switch to a separate clean dry microfiber cloth and rub the surface of the wood in the direction of the grain using light pressure. “Apply light, consistent pressure and use sweeping motions, following the direction of the wood grain,” Turlu says. “If streaks appear on the surface, it means you are either applying too much pressure or you used an excessive amount of product initially.” ## How to Remove Stains from Wood Furniture While [furniture polish]() will help to enhance the shine on your furniture and hide minor scratches, it won’t do anything for stains. To remove [water stains from wood](), start by identifying the type of stain your dealing with: **White water rings:** Water rings are often a result of damage to the finish rather than the wood itself. The best way to deal with rings is to use a commercial water marker removes. Make sure the remover is compatible with the type of finish on the wood. If you’re not sure, test the product on a hidden part of the furniture first. **Dark water stains:** Dark stains are usually an indication that the stain has reached into the wood fibers. Removing these stains requires a more extensive repair that’s better left to the pros, especially if the furniture is an antique or a family heirloom. ## How Often Should You Polish Wood Furniture? Aim for a polishing schedule of one to three months depending on how heavily the piece of furniture is used. You might polish a dining table or desk once a month, while you may wait three months for less heavily used pieces, like a china cabinet. ## Tips for Maintaining Wood Furniture - **Dust regularly**. Dust your wood furniture every few days with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth, always making sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain. - **Keep furniture out of direct sunlight**. Keep your wood furniture away from sunny windows, heating vents or radiators. Ultraviolet rays and hot air will cause the wood to dry out and can fade or discolor the finish. - **Clean spills right away**. Act fast when water spills on top of a piece of wood furniture. Allowing water or cold drinks to sit on top of a piece of wood furniture can quickly discolor and damage the finish. Water can even cause the wood to warp or swell if it penetrates the finish. ## FAQ ## Author Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() ## More - [Seat Yourself: 11 Ways to DIY Your Own Chair]() - [Sofa, So Good: 10 Creative Ways to Revive a Tired Old Couch]() - [16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture]() - [20 Insanely Easy Ways to Build Your Own Furniture]() - [This Is the Absolute Best Way to Clean a Couch]() - [13 Tips for Fitting Everyone Around the Thanksgiving Table]() - [12 Doable Designs for a DIY Bench]() - [DIY Lite: The Most Convenient Side Table Wood Can Build]()