Step by step Advice and Links using green friendly and chemical treatments. Choose what fits your situation and preference best.
How do I care for my furniture? 
Some care is more environmental, but less effective make the right choice
Stripping advice Safe for Antique and the Environment, or more toxic, harsher methods
Antique Fix |
Green Treatments |
Chemical Treatments |
| Pottery: | Is the surface durable or is there some crazing and flaking? For delicate pieces, avoid scrubbing, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with gallon of water, submerge pottery in solution. In a hour, remove item. Redo for tough spots and add dishwashing soap as needed. Persistent stains may require a soft cloth, soft bristled toothbrush or cotton swab. |
For light stains, use liquid detergent solutions and vinegar in solution. General glass and citrus cleaner of light intensity perform well on durable surfaces. Formula 409 makes difficult stains disappear and possibly the surface finish. Place in solution first, then scrub as necessary. Here, vinegar and dishwashing soap are powerful without damaging finish. |
| Glass: | Same as pottery though some depression glass may have surface color only. Scrub only after placing in solution. |
Same as pottery above |
| Wood: | Clean the surface with Murphy's Oil Soap and a damp cloth. Wipe Citrus Orange oil spray and Murphy's Oil quickly and prevent residue buildup. With heavy patina, use light steel wool and fine sandpaper sponges soaked in Murphy's Oil soap. Fluoride in toothpaste removes many water circles from wood. |
Wood polishers are readily available in stores at reasonable prices. When surface isn't fragile, these are a viable alternative to Murphy's Oil Soap with no prep time. Wipe Citrus Orange oil spray and Murphy's Oil quickly and prevent residue buildup. With heavy patina, use Minwax buildup remover, light steel wool and fine sandpaper sponges soaked in Murphy's Oil soap. |
Wood Stripping: |
Try citrus based products that produce fewest or no fumes unless removing multiple layers. Always wear proper gloves, white breathing mask and cover skin when stripping. Consider sealing the wood with regular antique wax instead of polyurethane. Antique wax can be removed without a stripper and is available in tints to match wood finish and cover scratches. |
Heaviest buildup requires wood refinisher and even stripping. Always wear proper gloves, white breathing mask and cover skin when stripping. Consider sealing the wood with environmentally safe antique wax instead of polyurethane. Several coats of polyurethane can provide a durable bond, even outdoors for years. Use products similar for sealing decking if outdoor furniture or in heavy, rougher use. |
| Clothing & Linens: | Vinegar both cleans and acts as a fabric softener without leaving smell. | Wash with Woolite, add vinegar, then extra detergent and bleach. |
| Silver: | Place water softener pellets, table salt and hot water atop two layers of aluminum foil in hot solution. Let silver pieces submerge for 20 minutes. Rotate large pieces and repeat until shine returns. Not for brass or copper cleaning. |
See instructions at left. For exposed flat surface areas, buy commercially available silver cleaners applied with lint free cloth. |
| Other: | Murphy's Oil soap is an environmentally friendly nonabrasive general cleaner. Vinegar cleans difficult stains well, though is strong enough to loosen both tough stains on flake prone surfaces. Always wipe and dry metal surfaces. | Try environmentally friendly vinegar and Murphy's Oil Soap when cleanser may damage your treasure. Glass cleaner usually suffices on most surfaces without prep time. Read cleaner bottles that require mildew removal. Goo Gone removes persistent stains including paint without harming hard surfaces. Vinegar cleans difficult stains well, though is strong enough to loosen both tough stains and flake prone surfaces. Always wipe and dry metal surfaces. |
Be as specific as possible and attached phtos help too.
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