How to Clean Antique Wood Like a Pro

To test your wood furniture's finish, purchase denatured alcohol, don those rubber gloves, and open a window. Denatured alcohol—which can come in many names at your hardware store—is quite toxic and has a strong odor. Use it carefully and in a well-ventilated area.

Soak the top of a cotton swab in denatured alcohol and dab it on an inconspicuous area of the furniture. If the finish wipes off or becomes tacky, it is likely shellac. If the wood finish does not change, you can proceed using the steps below.

Use a soft, clean cloth or a soft-bristled vacuum attachment to remove all dust, grit, and cobwebs from the furniture. It's important to get a clean slate before adding oil-based soap and water. Use this time to focus on larger issues, such as removing candle wax from the wood.

Quite often, determining how to clean antique wood comes down to how dirty it is and how often you clean your home. If you're moving through your weekly home deep cleaning, add two to three drops of clear, gentle dish soap to a cup of water. Dip a cotton cloth in the solution and fully ring it out. Gently wipe the surface in circular motions going with the grain and allow the wood to fully dry.

Oil soap will protect and moisturize the wood while dissolving dirt and grime. Combine one part oil soap and six parts water. Whisk together with a fork in a bowl or small bucket. As before, saturate and then fully ring out a cotton towel. Move the towel in small circular motions going with the grain of the wood to avoid streaks.

While it can be difficult to spot the difference between mold and mildew, long-lasting white, black, or dark green spots and streaks are signs of mildew on your antique wood.

In a bowl, mix a solution of one part distilled white vinegar and three parts oil. Linseed, olive, or vegetable oil are popular choices. Use a clean cotton cloth, dip it in the solution, and move the cloth in circular, gentle motions along the grain. Give the surface another pass with a dry cloth to remove any remaining mildew or buildup.

If there are particular trouble spots, such as removing sticky residue from home or major mildew, it's time to break out the big stuff. Be sure to gather your goggles and gloves and open a window. Apply a thin layer of mineral spirits to a clean cloth and focus just on the areas with significant grime. 

Now that you have a clean piece of furniture, you can finish up and take a breather while the wood dries. If you want to go the extra mile, add a coat of wood furniture finish specific to the details of your furniture. Read the specific instructions on the container regarding dilution, waxing motion, and how long to allow the wax to absorb into the wood before using the furniture.