When it comes to using a polish on wood furniture, I recommend only cleaners, such as Murphy's oil soap or a mild soapy solution. If your polish does not say cleaner on the label, then do not use it. Oils from our own skin and every day grime can build up on furniture, especially where touched with hands often. The oils from our skin builds up and start to soften and become part of the finish. It makes the finish come off easily and can also turn the finish dark where handled. When you try to clean it off, it will remove some of the finish with it. If you clean periodically with cleaner, it does not have a chance to soften the finish and weaken it. Obviously the polish industry will not tell you this, because it would cut into their profits. I have to thank them for keeping me busy restoring furniture that polish has destroyed.
Most dirt and grime that gets on furniture is water soluble and will clean off easily with a damp rag. I always tell my customers to use a damp rag followed by a dry soft cloth. This is because some people use a wet rag and leave water residue on the surface, which is not recommended. Water is woods worst enemy. If your messes do not clean up with water, then you will end up calling a re-finisher like me, to fix the mess you make trying to clean things that should not have been near the furniture in the first place. Like glues, oils and fingernail polish and removers just to name a few.
Over the years I have also discovered that using polish on furniture makes it more susceptible to water rings, white marks from hot pads under a hot pot, and moisture trapped in the finish. This is less likely to happen if polish is never used. After about 6 years of using polish on furniture you will start to wonder why all the sudden you are having issues with the finish.
A finish such a lacquer, paint, or varnish is put on wood to protect the wood. When you use polish, you are not helping the wood that is sealed by the finish. You are just messing with the finish, not the wood. A lot of people think that the polish is protecting the wood,but that is what the finish is for. When furniture looks dry and someone tells you to use an oil polish on to rejuvenate the wood, you are just messing with the finish and if the finish is worn off, then you just make it very difficult for a re-finisher like me to do a nice job. That is because where ever the finish is missing, polished soaks into the wood itself and discolors it and also make it difficult for a new finish adhere properly.
Remember that a finish, is what gives the furniture it's sheen and protects the wood. Not the polishes. Polishes just make the furniture in your home, need restorations. If this happens to you, call me at 815/795-3417 and I will help you get your furniture back to looking like it should.........Dave F.
Dave's Touch-Ups Marseilles, Illinois.
