Cleaning Antique Furniture

[Lulu-in-Ny]

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on what methods are safe to clean antique furniture. I just bought a Waterfall bedroom set, and there's quite a lot of built-up dust in the seams and crevices. Can I use Pledge? Is there anything I shouldn't use? I really don't want to do any damage to it in my ignorance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[rmrdaddy]

Look for Scott's Liquid Gold, red, yellow and silver can IIRC.

Pledge and many other furniture polishes contain wax and other junk which really does nothing good for wood ('cept make it shiny).
Nice find on the bedroom set!

 

[DeaconKC]

You might try Murphy's Oil Soap. Don't soak the furniture, use a toothbrush and wipe it right out. Very mild stuff mixed right.

 

[Sweet Leilani]

If it's just dust, brush it out with a dry toothbrush and remove it with the nozzle of a vaccuum. I would be hesitant to use liquid cleaners if you don't have to, because these pieces are covered in veneer and even the slightest amount of moisture can be damaging sometimes.

 

[Solid Citizen]

Antique Furniture Cleaners NO

IMO a clean cotton dust cloth & NOT using supermarket liquid cleaners is the way to go!

Many years ago some people used Butchers Wax????

Solid Citizen

Dont' DO what yo can't UNDO

 

[Tomasso]

there's quite a lot of built-up dust in the seams and crevices.

I use this stuff for all things dusty.

 

[Lulu-in-Ny]

Thank you all!
I think my MO's going to be to go as dry as possible.

If it's just dust, brush it out with a dry toothbrush and remove it with the nozzle of a vaccuum. I would be hesitant to use liquid cleaners if you don't have to, because these pieces are covered in veneer and even the slightest amount of moisture can be damaging sometimes.

The veneer is one of my biggest fears as far as anything liquid goes. I would just die if I damaged it.

I use this stuff for all things dusty.

We use this at work all the time for electronics and such. Can't believe I didn't think of it.
Really, I truly appreciate all the feedback. You guys are the best!:eusa_clap

 

[Sweet Leilani]

That said, I cleaned my deco bedroom set with a barely-damp cloth and a lot of elbow grease, as the vanity had a lot of greasy makeup on the top. The veneer had already been damaged from the makeup, so I didn't have a lot to lose!

 

[daizawaguy]

Clean cloth and a natural WAX polish....so supermarket chemicals!