How can I clean grime off of bare wood?
September 1, 2011 6:17 PM Subscribe
How can I clean grime off of bare wood?
We have a nice pine table that is unfinished but sanded fairly smooth. Over time it has accumulated a patina of grubby hand prints at the ends on the top of the table from being handled and moved (and a kind of general mild dirtiness all over.) what is the best way to clean the table top, without applying any sort of finish (sanding is out of the question for various reasons.)
Our plan is to mineral oil it after we get it clean.
Your help, as usual, is greatly appreciated.
We have a nice pine table that is unfinished but sanded fairly smooth. Over time it has accumulated a patina of grubby hand prints at the ends on the top of the table from being handled and moved (and a kind of general mild dirtiness all over.) what is the best way to clean the table top, without applying any sort of finish (sanding is out of the question for various reasons.)
Our plan is to mineral oil it after we get it clean.
Your help, as usual, is greatly appreciated.
Best answer: Bob Flexner's excellent book Understanding Wood Finishing recommends mild natural soap (Ivory, Murphy's Oil, etc.) and not getting any more water on the wood than you have to. If that isn't strong enough (due to grease, etc.), switch to odorless mineral spirits and then march your way up the solvent column until the solvent is strong enough to attack whatever is gummed in the surface. At the top of that column would be good old methylene chloride (a.k.a. high quality furniture stripper).
Of course, the stronger the mechanical or chemical action, the more you'll be removing and you may change the lovely aged color that you've come to enjoy. Start with low risk, start in an inconspicuous area (underside, etc.), rely on soft scrubby bristles, and work your way up.
posted by introp at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2011
Of course, the stronger the mechanical or chemical action, the more you'll be removing and you may change the lovely aged color that you've come to enjoy. Start with low risk, start in an inconspicuous area (underside, etc.), rely on soft scrubby bristles, and work your way up.
posted by introp at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2011
Start with Mop & Glo multi-surface, a synthetic-bristle scrub brush and some elbow grease. If that doesn't work, follow introp's / Bob Flexner's instructions.
posted by omarlittle at 6:57 PM on September 1, 2011
posted by omarlittle at 6:57 PM on September 1, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks all!
Bob Flexner worked (still does?) in my home town.
posted by leafwoman at 8:45 PM on September 1, 2011
Bob Flexner worked (still does?) in my home town.
posted by leafwoman at 8:45 PM on September 1, 2011
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posted by Bohemia Mountain at 6:30 PM on September 1, 2011 [1 favorite]