4 Ways to Properly Clean Painted White Wood Furniture

White wood furniture has the ability to beautify virtually any area of your home, regardless of whether it's placed indoors or out. However, when it comes under fire from dirt, mildew and other types of wood-targeting filth, it tends to stand out more than on other types of wood furniture. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to sufficiently clean your white wood furniture with minimal effort.

1.) Clean Dust With a Damp Sponge or Washcloth

Dust buildup is common with all types of wood furniture, and white wood is no exception. To clean dust deposits off white wood furniture, lightly dampen a sponge or nonabrasive washcloth, then proceed to gently wipe the furniture using smooth, vertical motions. When carrying out this process, you may need to put forth a little extra elbow grease if you encounter any caked-on dust. To keep your furniture dust-free, it is generally recommended that you perform this simple procedure on a weekly or, at the very least, biweekly basis. Alternatively, the brush attachments found on many commercial vacuum cleaners can prove very effective in removing dust from wood furniture.

2.) Clean Mildew With a Vinegar-Based Cleaning Solution

If you notice any mildew deposits on your white wood furniture, they can easily be removed with the aid of a homemade cleaning solution. Combine a single cup of white wine vinegar with 2 cups of warm water, pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle and spray it onto any mildew-laden areas of your furniture. Next, allow your cleaning solution to sit for 3 to 5 minutes in order to give the vinegar time to penetrate and lift the mildew, after which you can use a sponge or washcloth to wipe the mildew off your wood furniture. Once the mildew has been successfully purged, use a water-dampened sponge or washcloth to wipe off any remaining cleaning solution.

3.) Get Rid of Scratches With a Wood Furniture Polish

If you own any white wood furniture that has accumulated a fair amount of scratches, you should be able to fill them with the aid of a good wood furniture polish. Although the application method will vary depending on the brand of polish you use, most wood furniture polishes are applied using an expendable cloth and vigorously rubbed into any scratch-heavy areas of your furniture. Keep in mind, however, that this polish can make your wood furniture a little slippery if used too often, so try to limit applications to no more than several times a year.

4.) Remove Smudges with a Nonabrasive Washcloth

Smudges found on white wood furniture can be removed in much the same fashion as furniture-based dust. To remove smudges, simply dampen a nonabrasive washcloth and wipe the smudged areas of your furniture using vertical strokes. After the smudges have been removed, use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away any remaining moisture, as this stands to give way to the formation of mildew.