It’s concerning that household polish use toxic chemicals. Not only are these aerosol cans unsafe (you can’t recycle them half-empty, they have to go to toxic waste), but you don’t need them. They just add silicone to furniture like this reclaimed wood bedside table.
You only need to polish ‘real wood’. So if you own a lot of old and antique furniture, then find recipes and natural polishes and oils below.
For modern furniture, forget feather dusters or microplastic dusters. Just use a soft damp cloth to remove dirt.
Protect Wood from Sun & Water
Arrange your furniture to protect from sunlight, or use curtains or blinds. Use coasters on tables to protect from water damage.
Clean the Wood (before polishing)
You can revive dirty furniture by using a mix of warm water and mild soap and apply with a soft cloth. You can remove grime by mixing equal parts water or olive oil with white vinegar.
Fill in Minor Scratches
You can do this, simply by rubbing the meat of a walnut or pecan, into the dent. Do not use nuts near children or pets. Or rub natural toothpaste into the scratch with a circular motion, and wipe with a damp cloth. Never use xylitol toothpastes near pets.
For deeper dents, use a damp cloth and apply steam with an iron (without touching wood). This can help lift wood fibres back into place.
Natural Wood Furniture Polish
Avoid furniture polish that contains methylisothiazolinone, as this is a neurotoxin, that harms the lungs and causes allergies.
Most ‘natural furniture polish’ contains beeswax. It may do wood good, but it smells awful, and is not suitable for vegans. The good news is that there are now good plant-based furniture polishes on the market:
Keep furniture polish away from children and pets, even if natural. Citrus oils are unsafe near animal friends. Air rooms, before allowing them back in rooms, after use.
Bio-D Furniture Polish is a blend of plant-based wax and natural oils (including linseed oil) to nourish wooden furniture to banisters, sold in an easy-to-recycle aluminium tin. Suitable for septic tanks, it’s made using solar power.
Just apply with a soft cloth, and buff gently. Regular use helps to resist spills and finger-marks. Buy online in bulk, to save on postage fees.
Linseed nourishes wood but is flammable, so store away from heat.
This furniture polishing wax (Devon) is a simple blend of three ingredients (calendula wax, pine and jojoba oils). It will polish, seal and protect wooden furniture (and also protect existing leather furniture, though we don’t recommend buying new, to be cow-friendly!)
