Kim Komando, America's Digital Goddess
 

Home made furniture cleaner

Most furniture polishes contain hazardous ingredients, such as flammable respiratory irritants and butane and the skin and eye irritant d-limonene.

Here is a homemade wood polish that will save you money and is healthier for your family.

¼ cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice

a few drops of jojoba oil or olive oil

3-5 drop of a fragrant essential oil (optional)

The essential oil can be personalized to taste, an antiseptic essential oil is best. Sweet eucalyptus is a clean fresh summer scent. Vinegar has a longer shelf life than lemon oil.

Wicker and Rattan

Wicker and rattan furniture can either be made out of natural or man-made fibers. Each is treated differently . For natural wicker, avoid over using water – for man-made it is the opposite.

  • Since most wicker is varnished or painted, regular cleaning simply involves dusting or vacuuming and an occasional light cleaning with a sponge, warm water, wood soap (such as Murphys Oil Soap) and a soft brush for between the weaves.
  • Do not over-wet and dry as soon as possible with a dry cloth.
  • You can give some protection to wicker with a light coating of aerosol furniture polish.
  • Outdoor wicker, more likely to be man-made, can take a more rigorous cleaning. You can use more aggressive cleaners and brushes. However, after hosing off try to dry the piece as quickly as possible – set it in the sun or near a fan.

Precautions:
If your wicker furniture creaks excessively then the fibers may have dried out and need some moisture restored. You can simply wipe it down with a damp sponge.

Also, over-exposure to sun, rain and the elements will shorten the life of wicker considerably.